Broken computer =[

[You didnt have to wear an eye patch]

Okay people i need your help, over the next few days i will give in detail all of the problems that i am having with my computer at home, all i can tell you now is that it wont run windows...at all!

I believe this all started when my comp was doing some ruitine updates,after they had finished i clicked to restart my machine, this..was the downfall, it wouldn't load windows at all.

Foolishly i tried to sort this out myself, changing setting, trying to figure out what was happening...long story short, i failed :S

Please if you have any input, post on this thread, i will be checking it most days.

Thanks

 

[thehoff]

Does windows actually boot? If so it is possible to reverse updates by looking at the update history and reverting back to its previous state, either that or try system restoring back to an earlier date.

If it is not loading at all and you want to reinstall windows there should be an option in your computer bios ( the black screen that starts up before windows) that enables the computer to try booting from a disc before attempting to boot the operating system stored on the hard drive (this setting may already be on but I thought I would mention it). Turn your pc on and put in the disc that came with your pc that has your copy of windows on and then turn the pc back off. Turn it on again and it should start up from the disc and hopefully start the setup so windows will be reinstalled. Also the disc might have a repair function that might solve the problem so it might be worth giving that a go before a reinstall.

Bear in mind a reinstall will make you lose all saved data on the pc and a restore/repair can sometimes go wrong meaning there's a chance you could lose your info etc.

Good luck, hope something helps fix it!

 

[Erana]

External hard drive. Get one.

The computer I'm using now has RRod on me about once every two to three months, and I either have to wipe the hard drive or get a new one altogether.

 

[bitzi61]

I agree with "thehoff".

Sounds like something is definately FUBAR (either a virus, or just something 'broke') when you updated.

Reinstall windows. AND, with windows Vista, if you reinstall, all your files are now SAVED in a folder called "windows.old"

You can recover word docs, pics, music and whatnot from there!

 

[forever saturday]

I dont know much about computers, so I cant help you. I can tell you that my friend would tell you to get linux. He thinks it was developed by god. Its free, and according to him its so awesome that he can run linux on a computer that isnt powerful enough to run linux. He also tells me it doesnt get viruses. I cant tell you how much of this is true, because like I said I know very little about computers. also, apparently most people dont like linux. dont know why.

 

[Nivag the Owl]

Sounds to me like you need a new (and good) PC

 

[sheic99]

I dont know much about computers, so I cant help you. I can tell you that my friend would tell you to get linux. He thinks it was developed by god. Its free, and according to him its so awesome that he can run linux on a computer that isnt powerful enough to run linux. He also tells me it doesnt get viruses. I cant tell you how much of this is true, because like I said I know very little about computers. also, apparently most people dont like linux. dont know why.

I think there are about 4-10 viruses for Linux, but that was a few years ago and they gained popularity sense then. Although, I also heard it was around 20, but compared to the 20,000 or so for Window. It doesn't seem very bad.

 

[Laughing Man]

What the hell are you people telling this guy to do.

You haven't established anything. Okay he did an update and Windows didn't restart.

We then find out he tweaked some 'settings' and we have now jumped to reinstall Windows.

Right what type of Windows do you have?

Certain Windows updates have caused issues which have resulted in failure to boot.

What settings did you adjust?

I assume these must have been bios settings since you already said Windows wouldn't boot, reset your BIOS back to standards settings and get rid of any overclocks. These can cause Windows to not boot or hang at boot. A decent mobo will have a reset to stock options some where in it's menus.

Right so Windows still isn't booting?

You want to try a safe mode start up or a restore to previous settings start up. After the BIOS check and POST have completed start tapping the F8 key over and over until a boot option menu appears. From here you can select 'last know configuration' and a range of safe mode boots. Try the first if that doesn't work then retry and select 'safe mode' and try that. If you can get in to safe mode then you can do a system restore from there.

If all of that fails then and only then are you looking at starting to resolve the issue using the Windows installation disc and even then their is a range of checks and repairs you can do before having to resort to a full reinstallation.

 

[Dudemeister]

I have a problem with my PC too, mainly that it's a piece of crap.

 

[pantsoffdanceoff]

If you have a seagate hard drive, the lower end ones fail faithfully every 5 months or so.

 

[You didnt have to wear an eye patch]

Thanks for the good advice guys, atm i havn't had the time to try any of your suggestions although i have done in the past, but will try again to see if anything can be done.

To answer a few questions, im using Windows XP Prof, which up until now has been fine, i don't really feel like switching to Vista even though i know it's inevitable...sigh! I won't switch to Linux, but thanks for the suggestion.

I will keep you posted on what i have tried and what has happened.

Thanks again =]

 

[You didnt have to wear an eye patch]

Okay guys...not good, i've given up on fixing this mess and i need your help on picking out a new computer...please leave suggestions
Thank you

 

[Jim-a-Lim]

imo i don't see why anyone has to update to vista, i am still running xp and it's fine. also i cant help too much on the pc problems but i can highly advise you getting an external hardrive just in case. They arn't too expensive either if you look around.

 

[Sion_Barzahd]

External hard drive. Get one.

The computer I'm using now has RRod on me about once every two to three months, and I either have to wipe the hard drive or get a new one altogether.

truer words were never spoken.
My old pc was a hunk of junk. So i invested in a portable hard drive, which is great cause whenever my PC packed it in, everything was there for me to take elsewhere.

 

[thehoff]

I guess if you want a new pc for gaming and such go for one that has:

Dual core processor
2gb of ram
200gb hard drive
ati 4850
compatible motherboard
500 watt minimum power supply
dvd rw drive

As rough guidelines, perhaps someone else can go into a bit more depth.

Should be able to play most games decently and of course if you just want a pc for the web and such you can go for cheaper parts.