Computer tech support

Phanman · #1 10-17-2008, 08:54 PM

Friend had this problem a few weeks ago...

I doubt its your video card as stated above. Its probably a registry issue or software issue caused by a virus.

Start the computer with the windows CD
select R for repair, then at the prompt type chkdsk/s
once its complete you will probably have to type chkdsk/r (repair)
and exit once finished

If that doesnt work try:
boot with windows CD
select R for repair
at the prompt type bootcfg /rebuild
when it says Add installation to boot list? Press Y
then it will say Enter Load Identifier type windows xp (or your version)
then it will say Enter OS load options: type /fastdetect
once complete take the disk out and type exit

Give it a try and see how it goes. If everything does work out, then I would download AVG (free antivirus) and Search and Destroy (free spyware). If you do have virus I would run it twice for each. Also download reg seeker to clean up your registry.

Hope it helps,

Jason McK · #2 10-17-2008, 09:10 PM

Thanks all I'll give each a try

J

brizzo · #3 10-17-2008, 09:17 PM

Is this 500gb including a fresh install of Windows XP, and this problem only started since your fresh install?

I would certainly assume one way or the other it is a driver issue.. Was your previous harddrive IDE, and the new on SATA ? Did you install the latest drivers for your motherboard chipset ?

You might also want to go into your control panel, administrative tools, event viewer, and check your system log for errors. Might point you in the right direction.

Final vote, chipset drivers or ram issue

brizzo · #4 10-17-2008, 09:20 PM

I don't mean to sound rude, but Phanman that's some last resort problem solving that shouldn't be attempted unless your system gives you an error of "Missing Operating System" or "No Boot Disk", etc type messages.

If you want to check your harddrive for errors, I would suggest:

Goto start, run, type in "cmd" without quotes

Enter "chkdsk c: /f" without quotes into the command prompt, enter "y" to check system on reboot

Reboot your system, and windows will check and repair any file system issues before windows starts

Phanman · #5 10-17-2008, 09:33 PM

I only stated what I did to fix my friends computer... weither he decides to do it is up to him. If he feels that there are other possible solutions he's more comfortable doing then so be it.

Jason McK · #6 10-17-2008, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nazerine

Is this 500gb including a fresh install of Windows XP, and this problem only started since your fresh install?

500GB did require a fresh install of XP but it ran fine for 2 months

Quote:

Originally Posted by nazerine

I would certainly assume one way or the other it is a driver issue.. Was your previous harddrive IDE, and the new on SATA ? Did you install the latest drivers for your motherboard chipset ?

Yes I did but am kinda unsure if I found the correct drivers

Quote:

Originally Posted by nazerine

You might also want to go into your control panel, administrative tools, event viewer, and check your system log for errors. Might point you in the right direction.

Did that, nothing glaringly obvious. No errors at all

Quote:

Originally Posted by nazerine

Final vote, chipset drivers or ram issue

I did run MEMTEST86+ and it found no memory errors, But I like the chipset Idea. Only problem is the HDD has been running fine for a month now. Would a chipset driver issue wait to show itself for about a month

brizzo · #7 10-17-2008, 10:04 PM

Hmm, a chipset driver would cause an issue right from the start. If I had to take a stab in the dark, I would think its possible you installed the incorrect version... but a windows update came down and replaced the 'wrong' drivers with current 'wrong' ones maybe?

Reboot your system, on the BIOS post screen (showing install hds, memory test, etc), press 'pause/break' key, and depending on bios/mobo brand it should have a string with the correct model number...

Theres a number of ways to figure out your chipset.. the bios post screen, opening the case and physically looking on the motherboard for brand/model ... But if its a generic pc (ie; dell/hp/compaq/etc) you will have to goto their support site and enter your pc model found on the case somewhere...

Aquattro · #8 10-17-2008, 10:07 PM

Video or recent MS update....

brizzo · #9 10-17-2008, 10:20 PM

Hmm, why does everyone agree that it is a video card issue? Personally in my experience and opinion, I would think that would be the *last* thing. Random lock ups that cannot be reproduced are almost always bad ram, or a driver issue.

Aquattro · #10 10-17-2008, 11:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nazerine

almost always bad ram, or a driver issue.

Never actually seen RAM go bad if it worked out of the box. Sure, it can happen, but not very often. By video, I mean driver for video. Only recent change (aside from unknown MS updates) is new monitor, with a different resolution. My guess the driver is having trouble with this setting. Hence, why it works in safe mode, different display properties. Simple.