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Emergency Windows XP Computer Help Needed

Posted on 07/21/2006 7:30:18 AM PDT by savedbygrace

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To: savedbygrace

Have you tried unplugging the computer, then plugging it back in?

Before you try this, first unplug your peripherals, including your monitor from the computer.


121 posted on 07/21/2006 3:41:48 PM PDT by WaterDragon
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To: ritewingwarrior

FR has some great people here. You will find expert advice on just about everything. Actually FR is the first place I look, I do a web site search on the issue i am interested in and bam I ussually find what I am looking for.


122 posted on 07/21/2006 4:00:43 PM PDT by Steve Van Doorn (*in my best Eric cartman voice* “I love you guys”)
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To: TChris

I have two Dells from around the same time (2000-2001). They have the name Foxconn on them inked into the transformer box.


123 posted on 07/21/2006 6:01:53 PM PDT by perfect stranger (I need new glasses)
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To: This is a lame ID

how do you load the OS to the RAM?


124 posted on 07/21/2006 6:10:49 PM PDT by perfect stranger (I need new glasses)
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To: ChildOfThe60s

I had a ribbon cable come undone but only on one side so I reversed it so the damaged side is connected to the motherboard until I can get a new one just so I can still change out the HD if I want to.


125 posted on 07/21/2006 6:15:08 PM PDT by perfect stranger (I need new glasses)
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To: savedbygrace
I was very busy when I first posted to you.

Another good thing to try in Recovery Console is:

CHKDSK /R

That will find and hopefully fix any hard disk errors you have.
126 posted on 07/21/2006 6:16:18 PM PDT by KoRn
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To: perfect stranger

Huh?


127 posted on 07/21/2006 6:26:46 PM PDT by ChildOfThe60s (If you can remember the 60s...you weren't really there.)
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To: ChildOfThe60s
Sorry, I think I meant that comment for someone else.

Have a great week end.

128 posted on 07/21/2006 6:29:10 PM PDT by perfect stranger (I need new glasses)
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To: savedbygrace
Have you checked the power supply? When Windows can't boot up, check that hasn't gone bad. Also, look into your fan. If its not Windows, odds are good the problem is hardware related.

(Go Israel, Go! Slap 'Em, Down Hezbullies.)

129 posted on 07/21/2006 6:33:02 PM PDT by goldstategop (In Memory Of A Dearly Beloved Friend Who Lives On In My Heart Forever)
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To: goldstategop

That's an excellent idea. Check the power supply. They are relatively inexpensive and just might fix the problem. I've had two of them go bellyup.


130 posted on 07/21/2006 8:30:36 PM PDT by RichardW
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To: rarestia

Bookmark - I might need this advice for a computer I'm fixing. Thank you!


131 posted on 07/21/2006 8:35:51 PM PDT by 2nd amendment mama ( www.2asisters.org • Self defense is a basic human right!)
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To: rarestia

Sorry - I wasn't trying to split hairs. Your original post said that chkdsk will "ensure the major OS components are in line with the standard Windoze setup". Chkdsk doesn't do that - it only checks for errors within files that are on the hard disk, and, if used with the /f command, it will repair those files.

There is a utility within Windows called "sfc" that will compare the existing Windows files with the files on the original installation media and check for corruption - it will then replace corrupted files with the original version.

From Microsoft's website:

CHKDSK

Creates and displays a status report for a disk based on the file system. Chkdsk also lists and corrects errors on the disk. Used without parameters, chkdsk displays the status of the disk in the current drive.

/f : Fixes errors on the disk. The disk must be locked. If chkdsk cannot lock the drive, a message appears that asks you if you want to check the drive the next time you restart the computer.

System File Checker (sfc)

Scans and verifies the versions of all protected system files after you restart your computer.

/scannow : Scans all protected system files immediately.


132 posted on 07/21/2006 10:33:44 PM PDT by RightFighter
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To: RightFighter
I apologize to all for being absent from this thread, but I've been busy trying to resolve the problems. When I have time, I'll ping everyone who tried to help. Here's the current status:

I am planning a trip to Tulsa on Sunday to buy a new hard drive, for a new WinXP installation. I'm planning to buy a full version of WinXP SP2, so I won't have teh same repair agony I was facing this time.

Anyway, that's for tomorrow. As for what's happened so far, I did a lot of thinking about all the suggestions on this thread, and in spite of all that thinking, I still made the wrong choice for what to do first.

For my first action, I did the Repair option that several suggested. I should have heeded the advice of others who suggested moving the boot drive to another PC first. What happened is that the Repair found dozens of fonts that it couldn't copy, and so the Repair didn't take.

Then, when I moved the drive to another PC, when I booted that PC, Windows wanted to run chkdsk on my drive, so I let it. It found a ton of items that needed to be fixed, and I thought, 'Man, that'll fix it up.'

But it didn't, and when I put the drive back into my computer, the aborted Windows Repair insisted on continuing, but after it finished, Windows wouldn't start - same black screen.

So, even though all the files are on the drive, and I was able to copy them all to a drive on the other system, I'll need to reinstall Windows.

For that, I figured it this way: My hard drive is nearly four years old, so I'm playing with fire to reinstall anything on it (statistically, most hard drives fail either in the first 30 days or after three years of service). So, I've decided to buy a new drive for the new install.

Also, I'm tired of facing the Repair agony of using the original pre-SP1 WinXP install disc, then having to re-upgrade to SP2. So, I've decided to buy a full SP2 install disc.

Anyway, that's where things stand at the moment. I thank everyone for the help I've received here. All of all was great, even though I did things in the wrong order, and messed up.
133 posted on 07/22/2006 7:27:04 AM PDT by savedbygrace (SECURE THE BORDERS FIRST (I'M YELLING ON PURPOSE))
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To: savedbygrace

My first hunch is a bad video card and/or motherboard. I had a similar issue about a year ago.

For confirmation or additional troubleshooting try the following:

1) Winternals - this is a boot-from-CD Windows-like environment. It will allow you to see if your video hardware is functioning. Once it boots up, you can also view/edit your disk configuration, edit registry, reset Admin password, etc. Not cheap but an enterprising lad like yourself may be able to locate a copy in a pinch.

2) Knoppix - this is a Linux distro that is self-contained on CD or DVD (knoppix.net). Again, no HD involvement hence no Windows involvement - this will allow you to check hardware operation (video, motherboard, etc.).


134 posted on 07/22/2006 7:50:47 AM PDT by relictele
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To: savedbygrace

This is why I just bought two new Dell computers. It comes with all of the software installed and you just plug it into the wall and are ready to work. I've built these machines but I don't think it is even't cost effective. If your hard drive is four years old you are living on borrowed time anyway. Hard drives are dirt cheap. With rebates they can be bought for $0. I'd just replace it and would also consider just getting a complete unit down at Office Depot or someplace like that. Then you'll have everything you need. Take the other computer and toss it in the trash.


135 posted on 07/22/2006 9:25:57 AM PDT by RichardW
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To: radiohead
My question is, is videoconferencing dependant on a shared operating system?

iChat AV videoconferencing on Macs is compatible with AOL Instant Messenger videoconferencing on PCs. They speak each other's language.

136 posted on 07/22/2006 12:01:33 PM PDT by HAL9000 (Get a Mac - The Ultimate FReeping Machine)
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To: Turbopilot
As an aside to the jokers telling you to "get a Mac", I enjoy that kind of back-and-forth on tech threads as much as anybody but that kind of comment on a thread started by a guy with a real problem is obnoxious, to say nothing of unhelpful.

A lot of people have taken that advice, and they are happy with their new Macs. It is the best solution for getting rid of the most common computer problems.

137 posted on 07/22/2006 12:03:54 PM PDT by HAL9000 (Get a Mac - The Ultimate FReeping Machine)
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To: This is a lame ID

I didn't see anything obnoxious from you or the Linux people; in this instance a Linux LiveCD might be a useful way to get his data off the dying HD. No one said "switch to Linux and you'll never have a hard drive fail". The only rude comments I saw were from Mac people who flippantly tossed off "get a Mac" as though that would either solve this problem or prevent it from happening again. I just think that kind of thing should be kept to computing news threads, not requests for help.


138 posted on 07/22/2006 12:16:18 PM PDT by Turbopilot (iumop ap!sdn w,I 'aw dlaH)
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To: HAL9000

The poor guy didn't ask for advice on buying a new computer, he asked for help with a current computer problem. Buying a Mac (or any other kind of computer) would neither fix this problem nor prevent it from occurring in the future, so the suggestion comes off as flippant and rude. Just something for you to consider in your evangelism.


139 posted on 07/22/2006 12:23:37 PM PDT by Turbopilot (iumop ap!sdn w,I 'aw dlaH)
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To: Turbopilot
The poor guy didn't ask for advice on buying a new computer, he asked for help with a current computer problem. Buying a Mac (or any other kind of computer) would neither fix this problem nor prevent it from occurring in the future, so the suggestion comes off as flippant and rude. Just something for you to consider in your blah blah blah...

My comment wasn't flippant or rude, it was simply a reply to your "aside".

140 posted on 07/22/2006 2:02:19 PM PDT by HAL9000 (Get a Mac - The Ultimate FReeping Machine)
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