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Solve : Windows XP - Privacy During Repair? |
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Answer» I have a Windows XP Desktop PC that I may not be able to repair myself. Dare we ask, "What startup problems"? Well, it's quite a long story and I doubt I'll manage much coherency - plus I shall also provoke great scorn (my own included) for the head-in-the-sand way in which I have dealt with this machine by NOT dealing with it for the last two years and two months....but I will go ahead and relay ---> The PC is a Windows XP Desktop that was pretty cutting edge when I bought it in February 2003. I'd had it built to my specifications by Evesham - who, although they are out of business now, were possibly at the peak of their visibility then. I can't remember how early on the "three peeps" issue began. It's the "doo-bah (pause) doo" sequence (like the rhythm from "Funky Town") that I *think* means the motherboard is saying it can't detect the graphics card. For *years* this would happen MOST but not EVERY time I tried to power the machine on after it had been switched off for a while - typically overnight. As I'd done no research about beep codes, I originally thought the beeping and stall might be to do with my wireless keyboard not being within range and it was easy to invent false solutions like this because I could ALWAYS get the machine to start perfectly upon a SECOND request. I didn't really think anything was seriously wrong. It just seemed like a quirk that could be quickly conquered : I think I used to take the plug out from the mains electricity supply, plug it back in try again and then everything was fine. Every time. Maybe this means I had *and HAVE* a tired PSU and that is all that is wrong. Perhaps it was weak and got weaker. The peep pattern indicates a GRAPHICS CARD that is incorrectly seated/faulty. It was happening BEFORE I had a graphics card related issue. A possibly graphics card related issue occurred in August 2007 when my monitor blacked out. I had one or two instances of it blacking out before it broke altogether. I think it finally went "pop". I bought a new monitor and continued having the same "three peep" start up issues that had gone on for so long that I thought they were "normal" - except now the "unplug it and try again" trick wouldn't work. Someone from Evesham told me that the hanging could be to do with static charges being held over. I think you were supposed to be able to clear these by holding the front button in and cycling the main switch at the back. This did SEEM to work once - but wasn't very repeatable. Consequently, I have kept this PC on permanently since October 2007. It works perfectly once on - which is confusing. It doesn't switch itself off. I get no graphical glitches. Everything works. The PC re-boots with no problems when you ask it to "Re-start" and I can do a full re-boot if I switch it on immediately after I have turned it off. I don't know what period of time I could extend "immediately" to. I am hoping it could be the twenty minutes that it really needs to be switched off for soon so that the fluff and dust that will have accumulated inside can be blown out. I wonder if it only needs a new PSU. I am confused about the graphics card beep. Is it just a red herring ? I am worried that the motherboard may have been what was faulty all along and that to disgnose that will be really difficult. If the graphics card is broken I don't know how I can swap in a new one if I can't depend on the computer to start up because the PSU or MOBO is dead. I don't know whether I should fight to save this computer, if it CAN be saved or if I can get a replacement new-build that will do everything that this one does. Quote from: Tatterdemalion on December 01, 2009, 04:48:14 AM ...1. Almost 7 years old now. 2. No wonder they are out of business, "static charge" has nothing to do with it. 3. Leave it on. I'm confused, too. 4. Very strange. I'm more confused. 5. You're probably right. 6. Start shopping for a newer one. Why throw parts at a 7-year old machine? Hardware has changed a lot since then and all is a lot less expensive.Actually, these symptoms were oddly familar but I couldn't recall why, but I just did; my old K6-2 acted exactly this way. my original suspicion was the ATI Rage Pro; replacing that semi-fixed the problem (it no longer simply beeps a few times indicating video error). However, I still had issues starting it cold. When I recently replaced the power supply, the problem dissapeared. It was no wonder I was having issues though- the psw was 200 watts, and I had nearly every PCI slot filled, memory maxed out, 3 hard drives, a DVD drive, etc.. installedMy graphics card is also an ATI.....and the three beep code is supposed to indicate a graphics card error. Perhaps I am over-complicating my start-up issues by not paying primary attention to this. If I were able to find a duplicate on eBay would I be able to swap the cards without uninstalling the drivers - or do you ALWAYS have to remove them ? Would it be best to try to find an identical card ? The same chip-set can be FOUND on lots of manufacturers' versions, can it ? Would I just need to buy a secondhand or new AGP card and then download up to DATE drivers from the web ?One thing has not been mentioned. Does he have a retail version of XP? If so, it can be re-activated to a new motherboard by telephone support. Otherwise, the new replacement motherboard will need a legal copy of XP. You all know what I will say next. It is easier and cheaper and better to just buy a refurbished PC with a legit XP and a one year warranty. Some are even cheaper than buying a retail copy of XP pro.Hi I was wondering if I should act on the beep code's message MEANING "Re-seat or replace the graphics card" and buy a new one like this : http://www.ebuyer.com/product/129962 It's a Zotac 6200A 256MB DDR2 heatsink DVI VGA TVOut AGP Graphics Card and has very good reviews and twice the on-board memory of my current ATI Radeon. I think that Radeon is a 9700. ATI/AMD's web site states that is now a "legacy" item. I haven't updated the drivers or Catalyst Software since 2006. When I look in Device Manager, under "Display adapters" I see : RADEON 9500 PRO/9700 RADEON 9500 PRO/9700 - Secondary I managed to find the manual for my motherboard and identify it as a P4 Titan 667 (845PE Motherboard) GA-8PE667 Ultra/Pro The very first page of the manual is illustrated by three sections with large exclaimation marks and may be pertinent to my situation, as I have probably said I don't know how long ago the peeping thing began. It may ALWAYS have happened and I originally thought it was to do with the wireless keyboard because I could always, formerly, boot successfully on power-up TRY TWO. I will type the page from the manual out verbatim. I'd like to know if my problem could be that a jumper is set incorrectly, (maybe the Evesham assembler just never flicked a switch (!) (...?) if my current card isn't properly compatible with the motherboard and if the Zotac I linked to could be an alternative. Thanks so much. Manual Quote : "! When you installing AGP card, please make sure the following notice is fully understood and practiced. If your AGP card has "AGP 4X(1.5V) notch" (shown below), please make sure your AGP card is AGP 4X(1.5V). ! Caution : AGP 2X(3.3V) card is not supported by Intel 845 (GE/PE)/845(E/G)/850(E). You might experience system unable to boot up normally. Please insert an AGP 4X(1.5V) card Example 1: Diamond Viper V770 golden FINGER is compatible with 2X/4X mode AGP slot. It can be switched bewteen AGP 2X(3.3V) or 4X (1.5V) mode by adjusting the jumper. The factory default for this card is 2X (3.3V). The GA-8PE667 Ultra/GA-8PE66 Pro (or any AGP 4X only) motherboards might not function properly, if you install this card without switching the jumper to 4X(1.5) mode in it. Example 2: Some ATi Rage 128 Pro graphics cards made by "Power Color", the graphics card manufacturer & some SiS 305 cards, their golden finger is compatible with 2X(3.3v)/4X(1.5V) mode AGP slot, but they support 2X(3.3V) only. The GA-8PE667 Ultra/GA-8PE667 Pro (or any AGP 4X only) motherboards might not function properly, If you install this card in it. Note : Although Gigabyte's AG32S(G) graphics card is based on ATi Rage 128 Pro chip, the design of AG32S(G) is compliance with AGP 4X(1.5V) specification. Therefore, AG32S (G) will work fine with Intel 845(GE/PE)/845(E/G)/850(E) based motherboards. ! Before you install PCI cards, please remove the Dual BIOS label from the PCI slots if there is one." End of quote from Manual. Switch the jumper to 4X and see what happens. Zotac may or may not work, AGP 8X is supposed to be backward compatible with AGP 4X, but given the AGP issues with your motherboard, there is no guarantee it will function. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accelerated_Graphics_PortI think this *may* be my card (although I don't think I have the "Pro") http://ati.amd.com/products/radeon9700/radeon9700pro/specs.html It mentions three levels of voltage. Are the "jumpers" on the graphics card or on the motherboard ? I've found the "Connectors & Jumper Setting INTRODUCTION" in the manual - but don't know what I am supposed to change. I suppose I'd best trot off and see if there's any information at the Gigabyte website.Your best bet would be to create an image of your HDD and burn it to CD... There are many apps to do this but the best ones are not Free...Acronis True Image is my choice here... However Macrium Reflect has a Free version on their site for personal use... After imaging wipe the drive of all data by deleting the partition and formatting it... Then send it to the Shop...if they have any idea about what they are doing they will know what to to do to re-install the OS and all the drivers to get it back to normal... But i think it's a bit paranoid to worry about data...those guys see it everyday. However this would be the safest choice if you are concerned...Quote from: Tatterdemalion on December 03, 2009, 01:15:11 PM 1. Are the "jumpers" on the graphics card or on the motherboard ?1. That's what you have to figure out. No crystal balls here. 2. Why don't you "eyeball" both. If you can't see the jumper, it doesn't exist. |
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