Reformat Issue

conmanthegrino

New Member
Hi All-

I have a Compaq laptop with Vista Home Basic that keeps crashing on me. Everything seems to be working for a while and then, all of a sudden, the screen turns blue and the computer restarts. This has happened 50 times in the past 2 weeks. I have been trying to figure out how to reformat the computer, but I am not sure how to go about that, what do you all suggest?
 

My Computer

Have you made the recovery DVD's
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Compaq Presario/SR5113WM
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ 1.9Ghz
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N68-LA
    Memory
    PNY Optima Memory DDR2 2GB 2x1 kit
    Graphics Card(s)
    PNY Nvidia 8400 GS 256MB
    Sound Card
    On board RealTek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer X163W LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital 160 GB SATA 3G (3.0Gb/sec)
    7200 rpm
    Western Digital 160 GB IDE
    PSU
    Dynex 400w
    Case
    Nothin Special
    Cooling
    Stock
    Keyboard
    Standard 102 key with volume and sleep buttons
    Mouse
    Wireless Logitech LX7
    Internet Speed
    Comcrap 10mb cable
    Other Info
    Insignia 2.1 speakers, wireless Xbox 360 controller w/plug n play charger, Belkin wireless G + mimo usb network adapter.
You go to start then PC Help & Tools then Recovery Disc Creation. This is the only way to do a reformat of the drive also to reinstall the factory image of Vista.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Compaq Presario/SR5113WM
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ 1.9Ghz
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N68-LA
    Memory
    PNY Optima Memory DDR2 2GB 2x1 kit
    Graphics Card(s)
    PNY Nvidia 8400 GS 256MB
    Sound Card
    On board RealTek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer X163W LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital 160 GB SATA 3G (3.0Gb/sec)
    7200 rpm
    Western Digital 160 GB IDE
    PSU
    Dynex 400w
    Case
    Nothin Special
    Cooling
    Stock
    Keyboard
    Standard 102 key with volume and sleep buttons
    Mouse
    Wireless Logitech LX7
    Internet Speed
    Comcrap 10mb cable
    Other Info
    Insignia 2.1 speakers, wireless Xbox 360 controller w/plug n play charger, Belkin wireless G + mimo usb network adapter.
If I have not made these disks and my computer is now either infected by a series of harmful viruses is it still wise to make the disks? Is there really no other way to restore the computer to its factory settings. I remember that the process was very easy with XP, why the big change?
 

My Computer

I had viruses when I made my recovery disc and I scanned my computer after reinstalling and didn't show any viruses. Also so you don't have to go to HP's website and order the disc. Also if you want to be safe go to HP's website lookup your laptop and order the DVD I only think you have to pay shipping & handling not sure.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Compaq Presario/SR5113WM
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ 1.9Ghz
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N68-LA
    Memory
    PNY Optima Memory DDR2 2GB 2x1 kit
    Graphics Card(s)
    PNY Nvidia 8400 GS 256MB
    Sound Card
    On board RealTek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer X163W LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital 160 GB SATA 3G (3.0Gb/sec)
    7200 rpm
    Western Digital 160 GB IDE
    PSU
    Dynex 400w
    Case
    Nothin Special
    Cooling
    Stock
    Keyboard
    Standard 102 key with volume and sleep buttons
    Mouse
    Wireless Logitech LX7
    Internet Speed
    Comcrap 10mb cable
    Other Info
    Insignia 2.1 speakers, wireless Xbox 360 controller w/plug n play charger, Belkin wireless G + mimo usb network adapter.
Thanks for the help. Just a couple more things. What is the exact process that I need to go through to create the disks? The more basic you could provide the info would be better. I would normally be calling the help line at HP, but I live in rural Bolivia where the mail is highly unreliable and I do not have access to a long distance phone line in my small town. Thank you again.
 

My Computer

Make sure you have 2 DVD-R disc won't work on -RW disc, label them Recovery Disc 1 & 2 then press Start then go to PC Help & Tools click on Recovery Disc Creation and follow the on screen instructions, after making the disc disconnect all external products insert disc 1 into the DVD drive restart your laptop then you need to go into the BIOS or if you see a boot option make your DVD the first boot then it will boot to the DVD then the rest is automatic just a few mouse clicks.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    HP Compaq Presario/SR5113WM
    CPU
    AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ 1.9Ghz
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N68-LA
    Memory
    PNY Optima Memory DDR2 2GB 2x1 kit
    Graphics Card(s)
    PNY Nvidia 8400 GS 256MB
    Sound Card
    On board RealTek
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Acer X163W LCD
    Screen Resolution
    1366x768
    Hard Drives
    Western Digital 160 GB SATA 3G (3.0Gb/sec)
    7200 rpm
    Western Digital 160 GB IDE
    PSU
    Dynex 400w
    Case
    Nothin Special
    Cooling
    Stock
    Keyboard
    Standard 102 key with volume and sleep buttons
    Mouse
    Wireless Logitech LX7
    Internet Speed
    Comcrap 10mb cable
    Other Info
    Insignia 2.1 speakers, wireless Xbox 360 controller w/plug n play charger, Belkin wireless G + mimo usb network adapter.
Reinstalling the system back to how it was when it left the factory by using the recovery disk will fix the problem IF it's caused by viruses or system files being damaged.

It won't fix it if the random restarts are caused by a hardware fault such as the RAM (the memory chips). Even if the laptop is quite new, it's possible to be unlucky and get one with a faulty component.

It's unusual for viruses to cause random restarts. Usually they cause different symptoms from that, various kinds of strange behaviour in the system rather than just restarts.

I would try a memory test using the freeware memtest86+ from
Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool
Get the file near the top of the list called "Download - Pre-Compiled Bootable ISO (.zip)" unzip it and burn the image file inside it (memtest86+-2.01.iso) it to make a bootable CD using Imgburn from here if you don't already have a CD burner such as Nero
The Official ImgBurn Website

Insert the memtest86+ CD, reboot the laptop and give it a long run, such as overnight. If it reports any fauts, you should get the RAM replaced under warranty if possible. If it's out of warranty you'll need to buy new ram. (Or possibly the ram is loose in its slot and just needs to be pulled out and pushed in again firmly).

If it passes the memory test, then try a fresh operating system using the recovery disks described above.

Or you could do it the other way round: Try reinstalling the operating system and if that fails you will know it's a hardware fault. If so you would do a memory test because that is usually the first suspect.

Of course there are lots of other possible hardware faults which can cause the restarts you describe, such as a loose connection or a faulty motherboard.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    home assembled
    CPU
    Intel Q9450 quad core
    Motherboard
    Asus P5Q Pro, Intel P45 chipset
    Memory
    4GB : 2 x 2GB G.Skill DDR2 800MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte 9600GT
    Sound Card
    Realtek onboard the mobo
    Monitor(s) Displays
    BenQ 24"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 x 1200
    Hard Drives
    2 of Samsung HD501LJ SATA2 500GB
    and a few IDE hard disks on USB for backups
    PSU
    Corsair TX-650 and APC UPS
    Case
    Antec P180
    Cooling
    OCZ Vendetta2
If the laptop is fairly new take it back to the shop for a free repair.
 

My Computer

System One

  • Manufacturer/Model
    Self Built
    CPU
    I5 3570K
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z77-DS3H
    Memory
    4 x 4GB corsair ballistix sport DDR3 1600 Mhz
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte Geforce GTX 660 TI
    Sound Card
    creative x-fi
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Primary CiBox 22" Widescreen LCD ,Secondary Dell 22" Widescreen
    Screen Resolution
    Both 1680 x 1050
    Hard Drives
    2 x 500G HD (SATA) 1 x 2TB USB
    PSU
    Corsair HX 620W ATX2.2 Modular SLI Complient PSU
    Case
    Antec 900 Ultimate Gaming Case
    Cooling
    3 x 80mm tri led front, 120mm side 120mm back, 200mm top
    Keyboard
    Logik
    Mouse
    Technika TKOPTM2
    Internet Speed
    288 / 4000
    Other Info
    Creative Inspire 7.1 T7900 Speakers
    Trust Graphics Tablet
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