Computer Is Well And Truly In Need Of Help

Hi Everyone,

I have just recently decided to pull out my old PC for some gaming again. I am currently on a computer that is just too old for the games I am trying to play. It has been broken for around 2 years now and have tried everything under the sun! I rang up Zoostorm (PC Brand) and they said it wasn't covered anymore As you can see, my face was similar to that...

Anyway I have bought numerous recovery disks and tried all the settings on the Advanced Options menu and tried boot from CD with the disks. I am seriously in need of help as some my work which I need to refer to is located on there and this PC is far too aged!

But I am not sure if it was the fact that I was downloading a graphics driver it installed and then ever since...BSOD - And that goes for all 3 of the safe mode settings too! I am using a 32bit Home Premium on the Vista computer and really need some help!

Many Thanks,

Well, we might be ble to help you.

You get bsod's in safe mode? That usually isn't a driver issue as the gpu driver doesn't load then.

You need to test your RAM. you can get memtest86, burn it to a cd and run it for a few hours.
Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

Have you ever used Linux Livecds? Basically its a self contained OS on a cd that doesn't need to get installed on the computer.
If you get crashes using it, then its hardware.
Ubuntu is your best choice should you try that.

Yeah I am receiving BSOD constantly and from every setting on my PC. But since the last reply I am currently doing a Memory Diagnostics Test and it is currently saying I have Hardware problems which is worrying. I had the 9400GT in, then switched to the 8400GS and am now running through on-board graphics.

I am in possession of a CD that holds an XP OS and allows me to access operation such as a factory restoration, which is what I am trying to achieve, but I am now under the impression that my Hardware is failing me through the BSOD's. While you are asking to test my RAM I cannot even precede Safe Mode with any setting/s. I have been stuck with this problem for 2 years.

What can I do with a hardware failure to determine the probable component?

Depends on the hardware thats bad.

I'd suggest, if you can run just 1 ram stick at a time and try to boot. Unfortunately, solving hardware issues is difficult without extra peices.

Memtest test the ram, and is the easiest test to do. And maybe solve the issue.

Unfortunately I could not get on the MemTest you wished me to do but I did try the boot up with each 1GB stick on the start up repair...I got no new information

I am really thinking it is the hard drive that has corrupt as I cannot really think what else it could be? Would I be able to put the HDD in another PC to see if it is recognized? Or would that just ruin the other OS in the other PC?

No, you can do that.

You can also use a Ubuntu livecd on the broken computer, and check it out.
Use Ubuntu Live CD to Backup Files from Your Dead Windows Computer - How-To Geek

I put the Hard Drive into the other PC and it was not recognized. I'm not sure if it was put in the slot but the SATA cable seemed to fit correctly through the Motherboard and HDD. I will try Ubuntu when I get the new internet on Thursday, will keep you posted on info

Did you remember to plug the power into the drive?

The ubuntu livecd will answer ALOT of questions

If you mean by putting in the molex connector as well as the SATA then I am not sure lol can't remember to be honest so will try now and post immediately afterwards the outcome just to double check

Well I tried to put the XP HDD into my other comptuer, hooked it all up and got to the XP loading screen and before you know it it went black and restarted the cycle again. But at least I had some sort of progress. I do not care if I have to use XP as long as I can get to my old components I am not fussed.

But I also need to find a way of formatting the Vista HDD without clearing the OS out of existence because I have no re-installation disk. I am still not sure how the Ubuntu service quite works though :huh:

Yha, if windows doesnt understsnd yuour hardware. It does that.

Why do you need to format the Vista?

If you have the windows key, usually found on the case, You can use a retail Vista disk to re-install.

Patonb said:

Yha, if windows doesnt understsnd yuour hardware. It does that.

Why do you need to format the Vista?

If you have the windows key, usually found on the case, You can use a retail Vista disk to re-install.

Click to expand...

Only problem is I cannot get my hands onto a retail Vista disk, will a PC store let me borrow one to use quickly cause if that is the case how much do you think that would cost?

Probably not.

But there are place to obtain them on some parts of the internet, just be very sure they are unaltered

By the sounds of things it seems my PC is doomed so I think come pay day I will just buy a new gaming one Thanks for all your help though

Its not doomed.. I just cant tell you the you can get copies of disks on thepiratebay, and that you need to make sure it has not been altered so as to not need a cd key.

Hi,

I have made a images of the two disks (32 & 64 Bit) disks from my Ultimate upgrade set: -

32 Bit is 2.87GB in size
64 Bit is 3.66GB in size

These disks contain (All) variants of the system & can be used to clean install from upgrade.

These are definately original SP1 images & unaltered!

Click to expand...

If you only have 1 gb of ram I do not recommend Vista. Without enough memory (2 gb minimum) your computer will run really slow as it is having to compensate by running programs directly off of the hard drive.

As for your driver update did you install it for the correct device on the correct operating system? I recommend that you back up your personal docs, music, pics, etc.

@Lottiemansion - Where can I download this 32bit version you are talking about?

@townsbg - I have 2GB of RAM and yes it was on automatic Nvidia updates for my OS and interface

Hi,

From your spec's, 370W is not a lot of power these days! I would recommend upgrading that to a bigger one.

Actually 370W will run a 9400gt. So that regard he's fine.