Posted on 02/14/2017 6:49:10 AM PST by Zionist Conspirator
Almost two weeks after buying a brand new computer, it's still giving me fits.
They one they sold me is an HP with an AMD processor. Other than having trouble with Flash on Firefox it's been doing great, until Sat. night when, while watching a movie on YouTube, the computer suddenly froze up completely and rebooted. Then the next evening, while watching another long video on YT, it happened again.
An online acquaintance has talked me into taking this back (I have one more day to do so) and switching it for a Dell with an Intel processor for practically the same price (though they'll have to order it). I'm going to try to spend the day taking most of my stuff off this thing and then return it tomorrow. I still dread the set-up, after having just gone through it. Why they didn't sell me that other computer to begin with I don't know.
And now more trouble . . . for the past four years I have subscribed to AVG TuneUp and have been automatically charged each year at this time. I attempted to cancel my subscription but whenever I logged into my AVG account it told me I had no subscriptions . . . then this morning I see I have been billed for it!!! And I had no opportunity to cancel. Fortunately I've applied for a refund already, but this is an awful lot of trouble to go to.
I'm beginning to wish I'd never gotten a computer to begin with twenty years ago. You can't live with 'em and you can't live without 'em.
I'll be so glad when all this is over and some sense of normalcy returns.
usually their is a diagnostic partition before booting to the OS. As others have said it could be a cpu over heat issue though normally that would cause a system shutdown. I’m betting its bad ram. Either way get rid of it.
You can set your PC to dual boot to either Windows or Linux. Works well. I used Linux for a while after XP expired, trouble was, some hobby software was Windows only or, sometimes, the Linux version was way behind the Windows version (example: Gnucash).
I used Linux Mint (Mate) and still do on my old Dell laptop.
For an office suite LibreOffice does great for both Windows and Linux.
https://linuxmint.com/documentation/user-guide/MATE/english_17.3.pdf
I know you have mentioned in the past that you are on a tight budget but you might consider investing in a Roku. I have a TV with built in Roku and it makes You Tube, Netflix, etc. much more enjoyable.
Freeze up and reboot , it’s memory or the memory slots on the motherboard . I had 16gigs and had same problem ,checked the memory and it’s all good ,then moved 1 stick to each slot and Bingo , 2 slots were bad but good thing they were the 2 and 4 slots , I’m down to 8gigs now and looking for another motherboard
My experience has been that Dell is fairly reliable as far as PC vendors go. I also like to wipe and reinstall the hard drive as I don’t trust the image that comes from the factory.
Also, if you are running Windows 10, Microsoft’s anti-virus/malware software “Defender” is already included. If you are a casual user, it is probably sufficient to hand your anti-virus needs.
Had the same problem after having to buy a new PC for some specific software. It worked a few days with the new Operating System and locked up never to run again. Shot.
I run Mac Power Books. The one I am using right now is 8 years old. Never a problem. Before the Mac I replaced PCs ever two years after some crisis.
Run Mac and don’t look back.
PS. Don’t let price put you off. Buy a good used one from a reputable reseller. Otherworld computing is one example. You can buy a full up refurbished iMac with built in monitor for less than $500 bucks and you’ll probably have it for a long time.
Need specs - cpu motherboard memory
Sudden reboot is often a problem of running out of memory (you may have an app with a memory leak) or overheating.
If you are computer savy, burn Linux Mint to a DVD/CD and run from that (does not change your current config). If it runs ok and plays the video full length. Most likely problem is the memory leak issue.
Flash is buggy on every platform, and why it is fading.
Been on one flavor or another of Linux for 15 years, help is just a quick search away.
I did lose Firefox the other night after a major system upgrade, got it fixed in a couple hours using a disc version of Linux to find the solution, badabing-badaboom, back in business with no need to speak to India or Paki help desks.
Windoze is still around for all those AOL types.
Uh, no, they don't. The Dells are made in China. Apple is the only computers still made in the USA with their Apple iMacs assembled in Elk Grove, California, and the Mac Pro desktop completely made in Austin, Texas.
Oddly, Alienware tech support is based in Costa Rica.
They are *the* nicest people you will ever talk to.
Over the scores of tech calls, I became fond of several of them and we’d just chat, sometimes.
At the end of my rope, with the US Dell techs offering me no resolution, it was was a Costa Rican supervisor who said screw it, and shipped me the brand new rig.
So much awesome.
:D
I use safe mode to let windows fix itself. When I restart it, it works. At start up keep hitting F8 key until you see window for safe mode. Arrow down to it, hit enter. Flash was having some problem and FF was not letting it as a add on work. Hope this helps.
First, I run at least one WIN OS behind the current version. Generally, it is what I consider to be the most stable, such as WIN 7.
Second, whether I have a new or refurb, I wipe the drive using DBAN,Gutmann method [35 passes]. Then, I install the OS. Any stray drivers that are failed to be picked up can be downloaded from the manufacturer sites.
Forgot to mention, use a retail copy of the OS. OEM copies are generally kludgey!
You evidently missed the part where the first time was while I was using html5 player.
Do NOT EVER use AVG. They crashed two of our computers and admitted it but did NOTHING to correct THEIR problem nor compensate us. Crashed. Slaughtered. Send to computer graveyard. Ours wasn’t the only ones, they had several other upset users complaining and did nothing to help. Shortly after admitting it was their fault, they deleted the comments.
Do NOT order anything HP online. One of their employees stole my credit card off an online order and ran up a nice sized bill with Apple and refused to cooperate with the police.
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