{Fixed?] Reinstalling Vista without Connecting to the Internet

[skeezix]

I have a Vista system that I used for several years without problems. Then 2 years ago I bought a Win10 system 2 years ago and I retired my Vista system and very rarely use it, maybe once every 2 or 3 weeks. After a week or so of non-use, it won't start and I have to go through a "repair" cycle. After I get the Vista system started, sometimes the screen goes black (but the LEDs are still on) and the keyboard and mouse are dead. This usually happens within 1/2 hour after starting. I disconnected the internet cable several weeks ago but I still have problems. I have run all of the system checks and everything checks okay.

Because I only use the system off-line, I am considering reinstalling the OS, this time without ever connecting the computer to the internet. The hard drive still has Drive X with its Windows rebuild system, and I also have the original CDs to start it with. Can I do this, and if so, what di I need to watch out for?

 

[wither 3]

Hi skeezix- Someone else may have a better idea but it sounds like your PSU is dying.

 

[blackvista2006]

Hi skeezix,

I don't think you will face any issues when re-installing Windows Vista without an active network connection. Furthermore, if you have the original Recovery Media for your computer and/or Recovery Partitions intact, you will have even less to worry about as the drivers needed shall be installed right away.

If you are not able to activate the copy of your Vista without an Internet connection, you will be prompted to call Microsoft directly and provide their Automatic Activation System with the Installation ID of the product to finish this process.

If you face any issues in regards to drivers, you will always be able to download them from another PC and transfer over the Vista machine via USB flash drive.

Furthermore, I would also recommend checking your hardware, as the issues reported sounds like a hardware-related problem. Check the health of your hard drive via software like Hard Disk Sentinel for any bad sectors, run a memory diagnostic tool, and check your power supply as well.

Hope this helps.

 

[townsbg]

I recently had to activate a 2008 r2 virtual machine and I was not given the option to activate by phone. However I found a command to force that option. You might try first backing up your activation tokens. If nothing else the command to follow is on this guide. How to Activate Windows Vista by Phone Activation « My Digital Life

I have not tested the command on vista but the application in the command is there. I suspect that it'll work for Vista as well.

 

[wither 3]

Thing about it is that he's able to boot into Vista but, afterwards, he sees the problems. I suspect he will see the same problems after reinstalling but I'm no expert (you already know that).

 

[townsbg]

Yeah. I suspect that the PSU is out. Regardless that sounds like a hardware issue and not OS.

 

[skeezix]

What's a "PSU"? Power supply unit?

The first problem I had was that after a couple months of not turning the computer on, I would get what looked like a memory problem. Just a lot of garbage flickering across the screen. Don't recall what I did, but I think it was after I reseated the memory cards I was able to get to the HP boot screen. After finally doing a Factory Restore, Windows came up. Since then it's been various problems. For instance:

1. My copy of CorelDraw version 12 would just quit on me without any indications.
2. Or (more recently) the monitor screen would just wink out (go black).
3. Or most recently, the keyboard and mouse would stop working and I would have to restart.
4. Or (just now) the hard disk would shut down and the monitor would display the Windows Error Recovery screen.

If "PSU" means "power supply", I could check that out and replace it.

 

[wither 3]

You're correct. Sorry I didn't spell it out.

 

[skeezix]

I appreciated the help I have received on this forum and want to thank everybody who responded.

After many years in technical support of computer peripherals and PCs, my gut feeling is there is nothing wrong with the power supply. I can't say for sure that the supply does not have some sort of intermittent, but right now I don't think so. Once Windows has started, it is rock-stable until it does it restart thing. Sometimes that is for hours, more recently it is for minutes.

I'm going to try one more "repair" by pressing F8 after the power button and go through the "Windows is loading files..." stuff. If that doesn't work, I'll reload the OS from the original HP media. If that doesn't work then I'll trash the computer.

 

[wither 3]

We can't say for sure that it's the PSU but it sure sounds like it. PSUs are cheap but, if you want to trash the computer, that's up to you.

 

[townsbg]

A PSU going bad can cause weird issues.

 

[skeezix]

A PSU going bad can cause weird issues.

Yeah, I know. I'm not 100% sure that it's NOT the power supply.

The last time I restarted the computer it came up telling me that something was wrong and that Windows could not be started. Then it displayed a menu of test functions for me to try, so I am putting it through 2 passes of a rather long HP memory test (after 5 hours the process is 44% complete, and that's before Windows even started). We'll see tomorrow morning how it did.

When 2 Vista Gurus tell me that they think it's the power supply, I take it seriously. When the problems first began, they were few and far between, and now it's only a matter of minutes. So I googled to see what I could find. Not sure what to think when a PS rated for 350 watts only puts out 329 watts. The computer came with a Bestec Model: ATX-250-12Z Rev. D7R supply.

I'm almost ready to pop for another supply. If you or Wither 3 could point me to a reliable power supply in the area of 300-400 watts and that fits this (ATX) computer along with where to purchase one, I'd really appreciate it.

 

[wither 3]

I did a search for your psu and found a bunch of them at ebay but they're either used or refurbished. This one has a higher power rating but it's new-

* New * PC Power Supply Upgrade for Bestec ATX-250-12Z Rev D7R Computer FREE SH | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for * New * PC Power Supply Upgrade for Bestec ATX-250-12Z Rev D7R Computer FREE SH at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Here' a brand new one the same as yours-

Amazon.com: Bestec ATX-250-12Z-D2R Genuine 250W 24-Pin Power Supply HP P/N 410507-001 New: Computers & Accessories

Buy Bestec ATX-250-12Z-D2R Genuine 250W 24-Pin Power Supply HP P/N 410507-001 New: Internal Power Supplies - Amazon.com ✓ FREE DELIVERY possible on eligible purchases

www.amazon.com

Costs about $20 more.

You might check all the connections to your psu before buying.

 

[skeezix]

Read the reviews for the 2nd link. Most everyone said the cable(s?) were too short. It is unfortunate that nobody bothered to mention either the length of a correct cable or the length of the supplied cable. Not even the manufacturer includes that information. To me, that's just another "sell it and let the buyer deal with the no-fit problem".

It would be nice to know the length I need so I can measure what I have and then order the ATX extension if I need when I order the power supply. Would somebody here happen to know the length of the MB cable that comes with the supply?

 

[SIW2]

Is this the motherboard?

ASUS IPIBL-LA BERKELEY-GL8E INSTRUCTION MANUAL Pdf Download

View and Download Asus IPIBL-LA Berkeley-GL8E instruction manual online. IPIBL-LA Berkeley-GL8E motherboard pdf manual download.

www.manualslib.com

HP Pavilion a6400f Desktop PC Product Specifications | HP® Customer Support

Looking for upgrade information? Trying to find the names of hardware components or software programs? This document contains the technical details for this product.

support.hp.com

 

[townsbg]

I'm not a 100% certain that it's the PSU but I don't think that it's windows. I really do think that it's hardware be it PSU, memory, graphics, or worse the motherboard. Graphics issues could result in black screens but also corrupted looking displays however even with dead graphics you should still have lights on the keyboard. Memory issues would probably result in bluescreens however that's worth checking out. You might check the capacitors on the MB.

When the PSU on a previous computer went out it would just randomly shut off and then it got worse and started turning off after only a few minutes of use.

 

[wither 3]

I suggest asking the seller directly-

Amazon.com Seller Profile: Circotech

 

[skeezix]

So I ordered and received a power supply. When I was about to install it, I noticed that the larger connector to the HD was just a bit wiggly so I tugged lightly on it and it came off. Hmmmm. I reconnected it, shoved it in until I heard the little clip lock in place, and started the computer. Evidently that was the problem because for about a week now I have not seen any problems with the computer (knock on wood...)

 

[townsbg]

Sounds like the power was lose.