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I am trying to install an XFX GeForce 9500 GT card [this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814150322].  About two months AGO, my old graphics card blew two capacitors, and I just received the new one.  However, I can't seem to get any picture out of it.   I'm currently using onboard graphics, and I just can't get the computer to recognize the new card.  It plugs into the PCI slot fine, and when the computer is on the card's fan runs and windows starts up fine (I can hear the tones, etc), but the monitor isn't getting any input.  I've uninstalled the drivers for the onboard card before installing the PCI card, tried switching the BIOS around, all to no avail.  Any other tricks for getting these things to work?Have you gone to the nVidia website to download the most recent drivers for that card? Quote from: t_blake07 on January 23, 2010, 03:13:18 PM

Have you gone to the nVidia website to download the most recent drivers for that card?

He has no video. And the native drivers should work with or without the Nvidia drivers.

You cannot install the driver unless the card is installed.

I am wanting to make a image of my harddrive it is a 80 gb I believe
Compag computer
80 Gig HD
Windows Xp

Basicly I want something I can reinstall my OS without 15 disks and will not reinstall all the useless stuff I do not use is this possible and if it is how do you use the disk to wipe and reinstall off the disk?

Never done this disk image stuff before.A disk image needs another drive on your computer or an external ONE toput the image on.
There are several free imaging programs here.
http://selfimage.excelcia.org/
Also have a read of this.
http://www.pcstats.com/articleview.cfm?articleID=1124I'd recommend Macrium Reflect if you are looking for a Free solution...
And you would have to create a partition/folder on another drive as stated above...you cannot create an image of a drive/partition on the same partition you are imaging.

Make sure it's a partition/folder that does NOT get defraged....image FILES hate that.The only THING I can add is...
buy a spare hard drive for an image backup.

Hello,

I have bought the following components and assembled my computer this morning:

Intel Quad Core Q8200 2.33 GHz
Asus P5P43TD Motherboard
OCZ Fatality 550W PSU
OCZ 4GB DDR3 PC3-10666 DDR3-1333 RAM
EVGA GeForce 9500GT 512 MB Video Card
I also put my old Western Digital 320GB HDD into this computer.

I tried turning it on for the first time earlier this morning and then right after I get the ASUS BIOS screen, I get a No Signal display on my monitor and then the computer reboots. However, upon booting, there is only a single beep; i.e. no error code.

Any ideas?

Thanks!MBoard standoffs in place ? ?
Thermal paste applied properly in  construction ? ?Yes, I believe the motherboard standoffs are correctly in place.
As for the CPU, I thought Intel LGA775s already came with some so I did not apply any.

Thank you!Thermal Paste Guide.Just noticed something:

My hard drive has an IDE interface to CONNECT to the motherboard. However, my motherboard has only one IDE interface (and I guess it is to be used for the optical drive) and a chunk of SATA connectors. Does that MEAN that since both aren't compatible and I need to change either the motherboard or hard disk drive?

ThanksHi. Try to change Ram slots for Ram and if the problem remains then try to change the Ram too.
It looks like either ram or ram slots problem.

Thank u.Here is my motherboard: http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131395

I have tried connecting my optical drive to the IDE slot on the motherboard, and Windows is able to somewhat "boot" (right after the computers loads the files from the Windows CD, I get a screen saying a problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to my computer. They also say it might be CAUSED by new hardware recently installed). So that leads me to a few questions:

1) Do I get this error screen simply because no HDD is connected to the motherboard?

2) If I get a SATA HDD (from what I understand of my motherboard's specifications, it is only able to connect to HDDs via SATA), will I be able to connect it properly; would that pretty much solve everything?

3) I am lost in all that thermal paste thing... I have built a computer in the past, never applied some and everything was great! Could someone LET me know if my CPU Intel Quad Core Q8200 2.33 GHz Yorkfield 1333FSB 4MB comes with pre-applied paste? If not, which one should I get?

Thanks!It may also be a safety feature of the motherboard. Me and my one buddy built a computer a couple of weeks ago. His X58 series EVGA board was resetting itself during start up before the post screen. It only did it when we cut the power completely (unplugged from wall to let it drain) then turned it back on. EVGA told us that it is a safety feature to test the bios settings. Hope this helps...just something to consider. Quote from: giardmi09 on January 25, 2010, 06:54:27 AM

It may also be a safety feature of the motherboard. Me and my one buddy built a computer a couple of weeks ago. His X58 series EVGA board was resetting itself during start up before the post screen. It only did it when we cut the power completely (unplugged from wall to let it drain) then turned it back on. EVGA told us that it is a safety feature to test the bios settings. Hope this helps...just something to consider.

I've had this computer since June of last year and just recently in the past 2 weeks it has been making a very annoying buzzing sound (the tower not the speakers) while playing games. It is a physical buzzing noise. Not a "alert beeping buzzing noise". It's physical and annoying. It only HAPPENS when I'm playing games. When I tab out of the game I'm playing the sound is gone. All I have to do to make the sound go away is minimize the game. But it's really annoying having to deal with this while I'm playing games.

Can you help? What are the main causes of this and how can I fix this in a simple way?so its coming from the computer?When was the last time you CLEANED the dust out of your computer using a can of compressed air? Quote from: rooskie94 on January 17, 2010, 09:40:04 PM

so its coming from the computer?

When was the last time you cleaned the dust out of your computer using a can of compressed air?

I've never cleaned it out yet. It isn't even a year old yet, you think cleaning it out could solve the problem?

could I just use a fan instead of compressed air?

Sounds to me like it could be the fan on the GPU, although I would think there would be at least a little delay from when you start the game and the noise starts. Same when you minimize the game. If it is the fan, the noise should continue for at least a couple seconds.

It is coming from the graphics card. 

Ok thank you. So I should leave the computer on when I open it up right? So I can cool the fan right when it's making the noise. There is no risk getting electrocuted right?

I have a Dell Inspiron laptop and I was useing it yesterday with the power cord. I switched rooms and when I came back in the power cord wouldnt work. I used my battery up and the laptop wont work at all. Ive tried different outlets and cords and still the laptop wont even turn on. Any suggestions. The laptop worked fine with the battery so I thinking it has SOMETHING to do with the electrical connection in the back? Quote from: greg046 on January 24, 2010, 04:11:05 PM

Ive tried different outlets and cords and still the laptop wont even turn on.

I have 2 pc screens set up , ones a LG flatscreen and ones a HP pavilion mx70 , i thought it would be a good idea to set up another SCREEN because i GAME all time , so i can watch VIDEOS and films and things , but when ever i go into game while a video is playing , the screen just stops , and the audio keeps playing.

Im using vlc media player.What is the make/model of the computer?


What is the make/model of the video CARD?

hello,
i've recently purchased a new pc, its specs:
cpu: intel i7 860
mb: intel dp55wb gph
psu: 550w from spire
graphic card: nvidia galaxy gts 250
case(if that helps): Thermaltake V9 VJ40001W2Z (includes 3 fans, 1 front intake 12cm, 1 upper outtake 23cm, 1 BACK outtake 12cm)
since its the first one i put together all by myself i need some advice
when i checked its cpu's temp in the bios (after using it for couple of hours) i got something between 60-50 degrees
a friend of mine told me it should be around the 40 and since its winter here its gonna get higher during the summer so i should find a way to cool it down.
is the temperature too high?
i used the cpu fan that arrived with it, should i buy a new one?
should i apply some thermal grease instead of the one that arrived with the cpu(i hear its too weak)?
i should add that i rarely turn it off..
thanks in advance =]Temps are fine; CPU TDP=95watts
http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?id=41316parden my ignorance, but ARENT watts power units? how are they connected with temperatures?It's definitely too hot.
Max. temp. is listed at 67.9C: http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Core_i7/Intel-Core%20i7%20I7-920%20AT80601000741AA%20%28BX80601920%20-%20BXC80601920%29.html Quote from: MrYumYum on January 25, 2010, 02:22:20 PM

parden my ignorance, but arent watts power units?

It's definitely too hot.
Max. temp. is listed at 67.9C: http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Core_i7/Intel-Core%20i7%20I7-920%20AT80601000741AA%20%28BX80601920%20-%20BXC80601920%29.html

The OP said he has the 860, and the max operating temp for that cpu is 72.7 C

parden my ignorance, but arent watts power units? how are they connected with temperatures?

When I turn on the computer, it asks me for a system password. I try to type it in, but the keyboard won't type it in. I've tried another keyboard that I am certain works and it still won't type in the password. I can't get past the system password prompt. I've tried F8, F2, F9, F12...all KEYS take me to the same of asking me for the system password which won't type in. Any help is GREATLY appreciated with this one...1) Have you tried a keyboard with a ps2 connection? if not...
2) Can you get into the bios? If so, see if there is a setting to enable usb on bootThe tower doesn't have any ps2 ports only usb the old, old plug-in type (which I don't have any of those keyboards). And I am unable to get to BIOS as it asks me to type in a system password...I should also mention this computer did work not long ago...I had set a system and administrative password in the BIOS Setup. After I did that was when I got this failure...So NONE of these:         .    ? ? ?nope...none of those SOLVED: 

HTTP://support.dell.com/support/edocs/dta/_trmntor/00000045.htm

computer is a COMPAQ presario 5000us but not so much anymore...

over the course of its 10 year life, its received:
1) a new hard drive - 160gb instead of 40gb (seagate BRAND HDD)
2) new RAM - increase from 128 to 512 (both 256 Samsung)
3) new CPU - increase from 1.2ghz to 1.4 (don't know celeron or P3)
4) graphics card (ATI x1050)
5) new power supply - for sata power to backup hard drive (500w superstealth [can't remember brand])
6) said backup hard drive - 1TB sata drive (Seagate)
7) RAID card for sata connection (via tech)
finally, new mobo - previous one was causing restarts and thus was replaced. (gigabyte don't know model)

in the long run, I could've just built a new computer with all I spent on those parts, then again I got the parts for cheap ($5-10 for each, except HDD)

on to the issue.  its worked fine for the past year or so, but now its not wanting to boot up all the time, its starting less often than its not and now its frustrating.  the fans spool up, the hard drives spin, the CD-Rom opens and closes, but the mouse and keyboard don't have power at all, no beeps from computer.

where do I start at diagnosing?  I went to Fry's to buy a POST card but they don't carry them, so I'll have to buy one online meaning I'll have to wait for that...but maybe some folks here can help

edit:  added brands to 'upgrades'Don't spend money on a POST card when most diagnostics can be done FREE...

HDD) Dload and run the Free diagnostics from the HDD manuf. site...follow the INFO on creating a bootable CD.

Memory) Dload and run MemTest...again follow the info above...

Vid card) If applies: Borrow a known good card and swap it in there overnite and see...

Power Supply) Borrow a known working one of the same or greater wattage and swap it in there to see if that's the culprit.

Heat Kills) DLoad install and run SpeedFan and check your Temps against the manuf. tolerances for those components.

All of the above tests will cost nothing but time...but they will get you closer to a solution of what is the issue with your machine.as for your suggestions:

ran HDD test from UBCD4Win, no bad sectors of either HDD. (ran it about a month ago...randomly)
ran memtest for 200% - 0 errors (ran it less than a month ago - I check this monthly)
didn't NEED a video card, on-board graphics didn't work either...
PSU is fairly new, but swapped with the old one, same issue - no start
I'll definitely install speedfan when I get the system up and running again.  I'm interested in the temps it was running at.


well, I pulled each accessory 1 by 1, video card last so I was left with a bareback system of mobo, CPU, RAM, PSU, HDD...

pulled the RAM to see if I'd get a beep...did the same it's been doing.  pulled mobo and reseated, did the same thing.  I found the old motherboard which never had trouble starting up (just crashing) and the whole system, including all peripherals, and it started up just fine.  of course as soon as I clicked an icon in windows it restarted on me and drove me up the wall....but at least I know it was the motherboard that has gone bad

so now I have a dilemma, pay $15 for a replacement 370 SOCKET mobo, or upgrade motherboard to 775, RAM to 2-4GB DDR2, CPU P4 or core2duo for $50-75...

although, I think I'm going to take my advice from before and just go ahead and build a new computer...

thanks for the help.Good flowchart diagnostics on your end...

As to what to invest in only you can really decide that but i'd lean towards a new build with current prices.

If you don't need a new monitor or case you can build a screamer for about 6-700.00 Bucks right now...

My drive setup consists as follows:

Floppy A
HD Master C
HD Slave D
CD Master E
CD Slave F
SATA Drive G.

Ever so often when booting up for the day, or perhaps rebooting for some reason or another, the viewed booting process (Black/White DOS Screen) rolls by quite slow, giving the effect that the computer might have locked up BUT it does eventually continue on. Windows loads (XP) and all is well EXCEPTING that the SATA "G" drive does not exist.

That is it does not show up in Device Manager, Disk Management, Windows Explorer, etc.

I've tried various things such as uninstalling drives, thinking that the SATA would be installed along with the others when rebooting but to no avail.

The only way to have the "G" SATA drive back in action so to speak is to unplug it from the motherboard for a few seconds, then plug it back in, start the computer up and all is well again........ until next time.

Either I'm unknowingly doing something wrong or possibly I have a intermitent drive?
Connection at drive end or motherboard end is just a bit loose and not making full contact.  Tighten it up with a small piece of plastic or paper.Or, generally there are at least 2 MoBo SATA connection tabs --try another one.truenorthI'll check the tightness factor but have no idea how to tighten the connection with paper or plastic.

I'll also connect with another connection at the motherboard. Will let you know what happens.Did the OP try another Drive?
Did he try that drive in another PC?
And does the BIOS always find the SATA drive?the drive is probably failing, since it's not responding to the ATA ID command in a timely fashion. (your BIOS is waiting for it to respond, that's why it takes longer to boot). This is usually because the drive takes to long to spin up, which is nowadays not a very common "by-design" behaviour as it used to be; a slower spin-up time then normal for a drive generally means impending mechanical failure of the drive motor.

but you should have a backup anyway.Before you throw out any hard drive you should:
1. Get all the data off it, of course.
2. Run the manufactures diagnostics on it. Availabel on their web site.

One last thing. Stick the drive in you freezer overnight. Next day let it thaw out. Just maybe it might work better. This is a urban legend that keeps popping up. But if the drive is useless - Why Not? 


Right now, the drive is functioning normally.

I haven't tried another drive, nor tried it in another computer.

When the drive wanders off, it does not show up in CMOS, but as soon as I unplug it from the motherboard and immediately plug it back in, it is then RECOGNIZED and functions properly.

Next time it wanders, I'll simply apply pressure to the plug without pulling it out first just to see what happens. Quote from: OMC_Joe on January 25, 2010, 05:23:11 PM

Right now, the drive is functioning normally....When the drive wanders off, it does not show up in CMOS, but as soon as I unplug it from the motherboard and immediately plug it back in, it is then recognized and functions properly.  Next time it wanders, I'll simply apply pressure to the plug without pulling it out first just to see what happens.

One last thing. Stick the drive in you freezer overnight. Next day let it thaw out. Just maybe it might work better. This is a urban legend that keeps popping up. But if the drive is useless - Why Not? 

...Curious as to why this SATA thing came about when the IDE drives have always worked so smoothly. I'm not impressed with those small weird looking connectors...

Curious as to why this SATA thing came about when the IDE drives have always worked so smoothly. I'm not impressed with those small weird looking connectors.

I got a real puzzling problem here and I have no idea what do.
I was adjusting a partition on one of my HDD and then suddenly next thing I know it's gone. The whole drive not just that partition. It does show up anywhere.
I tried in the looking for it in the cmos HDD detection and it.... it... um... well instead of saying something along the lines of "40GB IDE Hard Disk" or what ever should say, it um just has alot of upside down L one after the other. So it's LIKE theres still something there but the bios doesn't like know that it's a hard drive.
I don't know, that's my interpretation of what I see.

Please help. This is very puzzling. Does anyone know how I can solve this? Any help would be appreciated.Fooling with partitions is a dangerous task and one should always create a drive image before doing so. Look in Disk Management - what do you see?Those squiggly upside down characters are normally signs of a scrambled partition table...not always recoverable."Those squiggly upside down characters are normally signs of a scrambled partition table...not always recoverable."

Does this mean theres nothing that I can do for it? Is there anything that I can try? Let me go THRU my archives for partition recovery tools...as that SOUNDS like what's needed. Quote from: PATIO on January 23, 2010, 05:27:25 PM

Let me go thru my archives for partition recovery tools...as that sounds like what's needed.

I'm using ASUS Nvdia gforce 8500GT silent magic series. I think my VGA card had failured. An unexpected inifinte loop error come out after the XP window loading scene. I gotta run save mode only i can reach into window. I did REMOVED the VGA card driver to let it run normal. Everytime I reinstal the VGA driver halfway would come out such weird figure. Does anyone knows what happened with my VGA card??? The hardware had spoilt or not compatible driver installed???


I had uploaded the weird figure which appear during the installation of driver.

[Saving space, attachment deleted by admin]Definitely sounds and LOOKS like your card is faulty, sorry.
If possible, try the card in another machine to confirm the fault.I found that my VGA card drive had spoilt....
I discharged it from the board and run with ONBOARD display drive for temporary.

I think my VGA card not damaged severely. I not always use 3D program or PLAY massive graphical game. Really not worth for my Nvdia 8500GT spoilt...
I just bought it 2 years ago.

Is there any hope for me to repair it???
If it's only 2 years old it should STILL be within warranty so you could get a free replacement.
If not then I would stick with onboard graphics or buy a new card.
Hope this helps

I am starting to experience video/graphics problem's. When game playing, the game STARTS up, but after a few minutes the graphics go to a screen with nondescript images and then doesn't move. I can still HEAR the game playing and characters moving along with music. When the screen does change it is to another nondescript image with my cursor now looking like a square. Task manager won't come up. Now my desk top is starting to look pixely in some area's. Everything else seems to be working fine. I tried a different game but same thing happens.
This all started a few days ago. However, a friend helped me rebuild my PC system a couple of years ago. I wondering if my video card is going or if it is some thing else.
Changed mother board to Biostar P4M900-M4 with Intel Pentium 4, and a G-Force 8500GT game card in order to play Oblivion. Forgot to add that I use Windows XP Home Edition 2002.Sounds to me like the graphics card is dying.
You could try reseating the card, and uninstalling/reinstalling the latest graphics drivers (click here to download them.
If need be you could use the onboard graphics on your motherboard while you replace your card - the onboard won't play games well if at all, but it'll let you at least use your PC while you wait for a replacement.
Hope this helps Thanks Crosshair.

Just so I'm clear, the graphics card is the Ge-Force game card right?

If so I know for sure which this is and I will try to reseat and reinstall drivers.

If not, is the Ge-Force 8500T a decent card that I may have killed early somehow, or should I look for an upgrade?Hi Christopher,

That is correct. The Video card is a GeForce 8500GT. (According to your first post) It's hard to tell whether or not the card is bad, but following Crosshair's instructions will get you closer to knowing. With the pixels on the screen, i'm also gonna guess the card is going bad. It looks like your motherboard has 2 PCI slots, and one  PCI Express x 16 slot. You'll want to find a card that is the PCI Express x 16 type. (If you need to upgrade of coarse) Depending on your budget, and power supply, you can find many cards that will be an upgrade to the 8500GT.I appreciate the info T_Blake07. Thanks.Sorry, last question, how do I SWITCH to the mother board grahics, does it happen automatic when I take the game card out? I will probabbly need to do this until I get a new card.Depends on how it's set in the BIOS.

Usually, it's automatic by default. Quote from: Christopher on January 26, 2010, 11:44:07 AM

Sorry, last question, how do I switch to the mother board grahics, does it happen automatic when I take the game card out? I will probabbly need to do this until I get a new card.

well its not quite free hanging, it is rested on the case but not completly FLAT,
there is no chance of the power or ribbon cable comeing out,
so im guessing it is ok...
but im not ENTIRELY sure lol

thanks  X HORIZONTAL or vertical is best...on an angle = no good.Why not mount it properly?I was going to ask the same thing.It doesn't need to be secured to work properly, but six months from now I could see someone forgetting the HD is loose and move the case, and the HD would be thrashing around INSIDE the case.If this is a space issue inside the computer why not purchase an external HDD case and install it in that? They are very cheap and you are inviting a problem with it not secured and inside something.truenorthHe may not have space issues at all...is possibly just doing this temporarily and wanted to know if there are any ill effects...True, so let's ask him/her. truenorthHmmm. I  am lookin' over your  original post...
What are you talking about? What problem?
Hanging out?
Don't we all hang out sometime?
http://geek9pm.com/art/MY_LAB0001.jpg   
That's it by golly ! !

I was just wondering how I can determine if my motherboard has gone bad.

When I boot the computer sometimes it loads normally and sometimes it doesn't. When it doesn't load I either receive a black screen with a blinking cursor or an error message about how some system32 file is missing. Each time it's a different system32 file.
I've had this problem before and last time it was concluded that the issue was with my hard drive. I've since had my hard drive replaced and Windows reinstalled.

Since my computer was factory shipped I've replaced the video card, fans, hard drive, and power supply. However the mobo has yet to receive an update, so I assume that it may be the cause of the startup issue.

The only problem is I haven't the slightest idea what type of mobo it is. I've run several programs(such as EVEREST) to determine who manufactured it, but it always is displayed as "unknown".
There is also nothing on the mobo itself that indicates what type it is.
Searching for motherboard using the model of my computer(a Gateway e4300) I have found some references to "South Lake". However I have been unable to determine anything else.

So, how do I go about testing this unknown mobo?What brand and wattage ids the replacement PSU ? ?
Have you ran MemTest to check the RAM ? ?

Tough to track down board PROBLEMS so it's best to eliminate everything else 1st...IF your trying to find the model number and the company who makes the MB it should have a print between the RAM  and the cpu. if thats not what you are looking for please re-correct me. THANKS  Sounds like the hard drive is bad. When you replaced the drive did you use the same data cable? How long has it been since you installed windows? Did you make any changes to your system right before this started?Is this the "same" computer as your previous thread <Windows root>\system32\hal.dll.

While I understand your desire to consider all "possibilities", you should at least link the two threads together (so all the data is available).

How old is the computer?

In the other thread, you mentioned it was running slower, perhaps you should monitor any "temperature sensors" that might be available on the motherboard or else where. Quote from: patio on January 19, 2010, 04:48:45 PM

What brand and wattage ids the replacement PSU ? ?
Have you ran MemTest to check the RAM ? ?

Tough to track down board problems so it's best to eliminate everything else 1st...

IF your trying to find the model number and the company who makes the MB it should have a print between the RAM  and the cpu. if thats not what you are looking for please re-correct me. thanks 

Sounds like the hard drive is bad. When you replaced the drive did you use the same data cable? How long has it been since you installed windows? Did you make any changes to your system right before this started?

Is this the "same" computer as your previous thread <Windows root>\system32\hal.dll.

While I understand your desire to consider all "possibilities", you should at least link the two threads together (so all the data is available).

How old is the computer?

In the other thread, you mentioned it was running slower, perhaps you should monitor any "temperature sensors" that might be available on the motherboard or else where.

I am unsure about how to edit my first post so that it may include the link. I can't seem to find an edit button...

I wasn't even aware that there were temp sensors in the computer. How do I access them?

If you are going to buy a new mono, you want to think about getting one that is compatible with the parts you have.
Do you have CPU-Z?
http://www.cpuid.com/
The above program tells a lot about your system. It may not ID you mobo, but it will tel you what CPU you have. and some additional information. Like the chip set.  It would be nice to get a new MoBo with he same chip set so you don't have to install drivers all over again. Maybe. 

The "modify" button I believe...
See Is there a way to tell how hot my CPU is running?.

my printer is FINE now its an epson all in one

a friend came to-day to use the pc to print she went to her e-mail ADDRESS and tried to

print from the web but the printer would not work pop-up said it did not recognize the printer  . i turned

printer of and on then went to the same web site in my name and it printed , why was this

'cause you turned it on ? ? ? Quote from: patio on January 25, 2010, 03:54:22 PM

'cause you turned it on ? ? ?

does power surge affects my computer's performance?? 

You should always have a GOOD surge protector, not all things sold as "surge protectors" are really any good.  You get what you pay for.
Preferably you should have a UPS.

Here is another BLANK monitor issue.

I turn on the computer and monitor the light on the monitor goes green for about 5 seconds then yellow. Screen is black the ENTIRE time. I switched monitors same thing. I also disconnected the monitor (both of them) and GOT the message "monitor is working".

Since I can not get the monitor to work here is all I can PROVIDE regarding the specs.

Computer: Compaq Presario
Graphics: Radeon XPress 1100
Monitor: FS7600e
Processor: Intel Celeron D 356
HD: 120 GB
RAM: 512 MB
OS: Vista
Model is: SR2150NX

I was actually doing a system restore. The system was working on its own restoring. I was not changing any settings.

Is this a video card issue? Any way to confirm?

Thank you, in advance, for your help. Did you try to boot to Safe Mode?I can not see anything on the screen to boot in safe mode.Did you try another monitor, or THIS monitor with another computer?If you have tried 2 different monitors already and your sure the computer is actually booting up I WOULD spend $20 on a video card.I have tried a second monitor, same result. I also disconnected each monitor and received a "Monitor Working" message on the screen.It looks like you need new video card then.

what can someone who studied industrial physics do in a computer firm or let me SAY like a BANK maybe a newspaper ESTABLISHMENT, what can he REALLY do in such an establishment. what will his field of work work be?are you looking for jobs or are you asking what their role would be in each case?

maybe you want to try the industrial physics forum here: http://www.aip.org/ca/2006/

FB

i did SEARCH i couldn't find anything on this specific topic. i have an averatec lappy 4100 series. and a sonyfx140 older lappy. both with same symptoms.

i can power on get into, change, and save bios settings. after which it immediately hangs. shows a black screen w/ blinking cursor.  no command prompt. it will not load from cd or other. i did pull hdd and do diskcheck, etc. no problems found. i copied all things so if i need to format no problem. but i can't even get into that option. help?

in the middle of putting averatec back together. SOMEONE told me to remove and reinstall memory to see it if wasn't seating correctly.

we can start w/ the sony. im hoping that SINCE has same symtpoms i can apply the fix to the averatec when i get the chance to put back together.

thanks!
vernThat's certainly worth a try...how about some history on what led up to this ? ?
What OS ? ?win xp on both. honestly, the averatec is my wife's. she said she just started it up one day and it did this. she doesn't remember much before it.

the sony...its been sitting so long i have no clue. but they both do the same thing.

will take a cd and spin, but doesn't nothing else. OK but it will probably be good to start a Topic on each machine so as not to get confused...
As usual post as much info as you have on the machine details; symptoms; list of protection apps installed etc.as far as symptoms i'll start w/ the sony since that's up and powers on. just as i've said. i can only get into bios. i am able to change and save settings. as soon as i exit bios it hangs. no windows screen. nothing. just straight to a black screen w/ blinking cursor. i can RESTART with ctrl alt DEL and will do the same. Is this XP ? ?

Quote

post as much info as you have on the machine details; symptoms; list of protection apps installed etc.

My computer has CD and CD/DVD drives, when I click on PROPERTIES, recording, I can only enable CD recording on one of the drives because it DISABLES it on the other. I know that both used to be able to burn discs but now only one will burn discs, how can I set both drives to be able to record discs?What OS and PC make/model?I have a Dell XPS 400 with windows XP.If you unplug the flat cable on the CD drive ad reboot, does the DVD drive then become the burner? If so, why not just leave it that way?  I think the issue here is you are USING strictly Windows for your burning purposes...
There are FREE alternatives...my favorite CDBurnerXPro.I'm wondering since the "enable CD recording" box is unchecked on the CD drive and it is working if somehow the problem was was checking the box? If I leave the box unchecked on on the DVD drive would that fix the problem? Quote from: dslgeek on October 10, 2008, 06:47:36 PM

If you unplug the flat cable on the CD drive ad reboot, does the DVD drive then become the burner? If so, why not just leave it that way? 

Yep...Windows settings.
Other burning apps don't create this issue...
Welcome to Windows.

everytime download file error message ;can't INSTALL file corruptWelcome to the CH forums.

Are you USING a download MANAGER?.  Which browser are you using?  What are you trying to download and from where?.  Are you using P2P?. 

Just installed Vista. It recognized the sound card right off the bat. No problem. I updated to SP1. Sound card is gone, no drivers no nothing just DISAPPEARED. It searched for the drivers online, found them, then said the INF file was screwed up. The sound card is a USB external, Creative Labs Sound Blaster Extigy. Thanks.Do a fresh DLoad...Patio beat me to it.  Try downloading again, and if it doesn't work, you might CONTACT Creative Labs to explain the problem with the driver and Vista SP1.

Shut down the computer...

Disconnect external sound card...

Turn on the computer...

After finished booting...PLUG in external sound card...and see if it is recognized.I actually cannot find any drivers for the Extigy on the CL site...Start here."A service installation section of this INF is invalid." is the error I am getting.Saviour, I followed some of the links in there and it said there is "No Development Planned". The only thing that I can't figure out is that it worked before I updated to SP1 and now it isn't working all of a sudden. I think it does work with Vista, but for some reason it's just GIVING me a problem...Based on the information you have given us...there is no driver for this piece of hardware that is compatible with your operating system.

Look here.

You'll see no Vista driver available.

So...what it all BOILS down to is that you're trying to use a piece of hardware which is not compatible with your operating system.You can try to rollback the driver from Device Manager...but, I'm not sure this will work...given the findings at Creative Labs.Fortunately a new Sound Card that is optimised for Vista won't set you back that much...

the sound on my DESK top is super fast like the chipmunks how do i fix this PLEASE   CLICK here to find out what INFORMATION I should add when submitting a question?

My computer is sick and I want to reformat my hard drive and start CLEAN. I went to the dos prompt command and typed in format c:.  That I understand.  The problem is the computer tells me it won't because of the volume is being USED or something.  It asked me if I wanted to force the DISMOUNT and I said yes.  Got a message telling me it didn't work. 

I don't know what to do.  Would appreciate any help from the pros!

Thanks!

DLDYo didnt say what OS you are using, If XP left click on my computer,right click on your drive & click on formatYou cannot format your C: drive from within Windows.
Simply boot to the XP CD and at the prompt select Setup/install Windows...it will give you the option to erase your partition and create a new one very early on in the install...select Yes.

WARNING: ALL data on that drive will be gone so do your backups first...

Hi, ok i was playing guild wars one morning when my game frooze and my computer crashed restarted gave me a blue screen for like half a second then restarted again. I could only get into windows via safe mode. I tryed wiping the hard drive and rsinstalling window like 5 times but all i get is a 640 x 480 res . I then tryed reintalling the video cards drivers from the disk which normally solves this problem, but then i get the whole restarting + blue screen thing all over again. I tryed taking out the video card(GF 6200) and putting the one that came with the computer(ATI radeon 9250SE) and all i get is a blank screen so i had to put the 6200 back in again.

I also went to device manager and my 6200 doesn't even show up all i have is "other devices" and under that controller VGA compatible, which i might add everytime i load windows desktop i need new new hardware notice coming up with something about this VGA thing.

BTW this computer is like 4 years old and so is the GT6200, using it because my laptop is being fixed, so maybe it's just an age thing. Hope you guys can help, thanks

P.S My computer is a Patriot MC2981 with a pentium 4 processer515 with 512DDR so...yes bery old.Did you uninstall the drivers for your 6200 then,download
and INSTALL the latest drivers for your 6200 card?

http://www.nvidia.com/object/winxp_178.24_whql.html

Also, do you have a setting in your BIOS to change the slot type
of video card being used i.e. PCI,AGP,PCIe ? The OLDER 9250se
may go in a different slot and require a change in BIOS settings.I didn't no, like i said i was playing guild wars and didn't uninstall any drivers, also i tryed to go in nvidias website and install the lastest drivers for the 6200 but when i did  my screen kept going blank then fine then blank and so on non stop i had to wipe the hard drive again.

I don't know what a BOIS is and i only have AGP x8 slot, i dunno what to do Usually, you press a key as the MACHINE boots, right at the start to get into the BIOS.Common keys to TRY are ESC,  DEL  ,F1  ,F2,  F6.

Perhaps your BIOS has a setting to use the older 9250se in the AGP slot.

Can you let us know the manufacturer and the model number of your computer?Ok i founf the BOIS but i got a a load of options, which one i go to and what i do then? As for the manufactrer its made by TriGem Computer NETHERLANDS and its a patriot MC2981

Hi
How can I connect PS2 to my LCD MONITOR (my monitor support VGA and DVI port)?
I think no more INFO need.

Thanks

My power WENT out last night while on was on my home computer. When the computer CAME back on, a black screen with white LETTERS saying "WINDOWS did not START successfully. I have a HP computer and use WINDOWS XP. I tried to restart but if just flips between a blue screen with HP logo on it and the black screen. I used F8 during boot-up and got stop messages with different codes: 0x00000024, 0x00190203, 0x812A1490, 0xC0000102, and 0x00000000. Any suggestions??When the power came back on it might have taken out the Motherboard or power SUPPLY. Do you have a surge protector?

I'm not sure i'm posting in the right section,but i woke up this morning to my home page images WAY bigger than normal and any web site i go,it's big too,i tried a restart and it didn't help. Does anyone know what may be wrong?  Try this.

Go to your Home Page and hold the CTRL button the keyboard while ROLLING the mousewheel.We tried that,and the icons got smaller,but the start button and any websites i go to are STILL huge.Start button changed in size too?

All right, try this:

(For Windows XP - Similar instructions for other Operating Systems)

Right Click the DESKTOP and go to Properties.
Go to the Settings Tab and CHANGE the Resolution slider to the Right.
Press OK.I have windows vista basic,will it be different?Slightly, yes:
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/windows/en-us/help/0386b009-5f30-45c7-80c8-ff0395cc24091033.mspx

(the right-click way: http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/84291-screen-resolution.html)Thank you!!!!!!! That worked Cool.

Hi and first let me thank you in advance for your help.  Anyways, I'm gonna attempt to build my own pc for the first time which will hopefully turn out well.  All I want is a system that will play the games I want without lag on max settings and that will last for awhile yet has room to upgrade.  Below are a list of items that i put together in hopes that its the best COMBO and that i can build it when i receive the pieces and i ask you for your advice.  Please tell me if i'm missing anything or if i should get something ELSE and please explain why so that i may learn something new.
also i'm willing to spend around 1100 including a moniter however if i can save loot the happier i'll be.  oh and i shop at newegg

case its my old one LIAN LI PC-60BPLUSII Black Aluminum ATX Mid Tower
 http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112100

mobo GIGABYTE GA-EP45-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P45 ATX Intel Motherboard
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128344

vid card EVGA 512-P3-N871-AR GeForce 9800 GTX(G92) 512MB 256-bit GDDR3 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Video Card
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130339

psu CORSAIR CMPSU-650TX 650W ATX12V / EPS12V SLI Ready CrossFire Ready 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

cpu     Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 Wolfdale 3.16GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core Processor Model BX80570E8500
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115036

memory G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1000 (PC2 8000) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8000CL5D-4GBPQ
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231145

hd Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD5000AAKS 500GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136073

moniter ASUS VW222U Black 22" 2ms(GTG) Widescreen LCD Monitor with HDCP support
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236028

cd SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223F - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151171

thermal compound Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound - OEM

cpu fan   ARCTIC COOLING Freezer 7 Pro 92mm CPU Cooler - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835186134

so thats my list as it stands i will UPDATE with better stuff than i thought of
edited for games...i'll start out with wrath of the lich king till diablo3 comes out followed by crysis so yeah i want someone that can run everything really well
Looks good: I would go with  larger case :[ i like room] try buying the cpu as a oem because what you have listed the cpu comes with a heat sink &  you are buying a seperate cpu cooler.the only reason i'm buying another cpu cooler is from what i read it seems stock ONES suck but i could be wrong i'll look into itoh and should i pick up the 9800gtx or go for a 260 version or stay cheap and go with a 8800 and should i find a sli motherboard or i'm good with that.  or should i pick up a new motherboard and get a ati video cardEverybody has their own opinion when it comes to hardware.The 9800 looks like a good card, i use ATI myself . I would not go wit a SLI board. Dont go cheap you want the system to be trouble free as long as possible.

1. I need portability, so it has to be 2.5''.
2. NEEDS to be bus powered, this leads to my first question, which may end my search faster. Is eSata bus powered (VIA my expresscard on MBP)??

I want to GO for either an all-made external drive (like a G-Drive Mini) or get a hard drive enclosure and put a 2.5" INSIDE. I want FW800 or esata (if bus powered). Problem is I didn't find any 2.5" case that has esata.

So do any of you have a esata 2.5" drive (either all-made or just enclosure case). If not, any suggestion for a FW800 case or all-made (I though the G-Drive mini was pretty cool), just found the OWC, cost a lot less.

Thanks in advancehttp://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=IM25EST-BK&c=pw

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=IM25EST-SI&c=pw

http://www.coolerexpress.com/al2hddmoexen.html

http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=HD-250CEST&c=pw

I hope someone can explain or FIX my problem.  I have an old Toshiba laptop that had windows 98 and I installed windows XP home addition.   Now when I try and read cd's on my laptop I get a message (Windows cannot read from this disk.  The disk might be corrupted, or it could be using a format that is not compatible with Windows.  Now I used a VISTA and burnt with Nero, I can read the disk on my other computer on my network and it to is a xp home.  Now why is it that I can't read it on my Toshiba........................please help ...................two-dogs

I am running XP and I removed my H.D. to try it out in an older COMPUTER  and reinstalled the same H.D.  in the ORIGINAL unit now my computer wont come up at allNot sure if we have enough info - was original MACHINE left off all time until HDD put back in?

What if anything was the performance of or any changes to that HDD in another machine.

Something has changed it seems but the original machine should not have minded the event if left off between removal and refit, and BIOS should not have changed plus, these days - auto detect should TAKE care of HDDs.  I am wondering re boot sector right now.With any OS newer than WinME it's not wise to just swap HDD's from machine to machine.....but you know that now.

Are you getting any BEEPS and or error messages ? ?yes I did get a series of beeps 5-2-2-1- what would that tell me?
What machine ?
What BIOS ?And if it's a custom built machine, who is the motherboard manufacturer?

Hi everyone im new on here and i have a problem with my new computer. My old computer is fine. I installed the isp disk i got from my isp and no problems. Went to install it on my new computer and it gets right to the last step of the setup and it says it cant find my ip address and to contact the tech team from my isp. Its a really old modem so might it just be that i need to get a new modem in order to work with the newer pc?

Many thanks.Matt001, Welcome to the CH forums. What kind of a connection are we talking about here? TruenorthTo check your ip adress go to START RUN type in CMD then type in ipconfig to see if it is listedOne thing to check , go to device manager & see if the modem is listed if not you must install it by using the driver for the modemHi, thanks for the replys.

Truenorth: Its a cable modem with a co ax cable running in and a usb running to a port on the desktop if that helps?

Xavier: Yeah ive tried that and i just get the message "no operation can be performed on local area connection 2 while it has its media disconnected" and the same message again just saying "local area connection".

Ive also googled the message i keep getting tried those answers too to no avail.

Also ive typed ipconfig /h to get it to tell me what command to give.

I havent tried the device manager, Where abouts do i find that? In not that good with computers. Ive tried to install the isp disk if the driver is on there but i just get to the last step and no further.

Many thanks Matt.

ipconfig commands:

Quote

Configure IP.

Syntax

  IPCONFIG /all         Display full configuration information.

  IPCONFIG /release [adapter]
                        Release the IP address for the specified adapter.

  IPCONFIG /renew [adapter]
                        Renew the IP address for the specified adapter.

  IPCONFIG /flushdns    Purge the DNS Resolver cache. ##

  IPCONFIG /registerdns Refresh all DHCP leases and re-register DNS names. ##

  IPCONFIG /displaydns  Display the contents of the DNS Resolver Cache. ##

  IPCONFIG /showclassid adapter
                        Display all the DHCP class IDs allowed for adapter. ##

  IPCONFIG /setclassid  adapter [classid]
                        Modify the dhcp class id. ##

## = New option in Win 2K/XP

If the Adapter name contains spaces, use quotes: "Adapter Name"
wildcard characters * and ? allowed, see the examples below

The default is to display only the IP address, subnet mask and default gateway for each adapter bound to TCP/IP.

For Release and Renew, if no adapter name is specified, then the IP address leases for all adapters bound to TCP/IP will be released or renewed.

For Setclassid, if no ClassId is specified, then the ClassId is removed.

Examples:
    > ipconfig                   ... Show information.
    > ipconfig /all              ... Show detailed information
    > ipconfig /renew            ... renew all adapters
    > ipconfig /renew EL*        ... renew any connection that has its
                                     name starting with EL

    > ipconfig /release *Con*    ... release all matching connections,
                                     eg. "Local Area Connection 1" or
                                         "Local Area Connection 2"

    > ipconfig /setclassid "Local Area Connection" TEST
                                 ... set the DHCP class ID for the
                                     named adapter to = TEST

You really don't have to install any software from your ISP in order to connect to the internet.

Its a really old modem

I have a Dell Latitude D630 and for the most part I love it. It is a great machine for what I need. However I am most annoyed with the "track stick", that little blue button that sits in between the G, H, and B keys on the keyboard. I am not a great typist and still often need to look at my fingers. Sometimes when I am not looking at the screen I then look up to discover that I had WITHOUT KNOWING hit that track stick my mistake and I type several words or lines up in the middle of the previous paragraph.

Does anyone know how to disable the track stick?I have a quick question before we do anything, is this a new laptop?Well I bought it new/still in the box on eBay last December. I believe the latitude d630 has been oput for a couple or a few years.
And this is a recent problem?

Also, just to make sure, the ISSUE you are having is that when you are typing, the POINTER sometimes points somewhere else and what you are typing types somewhere else?The options will be in Control Panel - Mouse.
If not you may need to install the driers for the device from the Dell website - clicky.I didn't think you can click with that track ball thingy on the key board....or is it just my old laptop that can't click?Although my laptop does not have a stick (Fujitsu S-2110), I can't recall that any of the laptops I've worked on that had sticks have had clicky sticks.  This may not be and easy fix.  Your thumbs may be getting into the mix, tapping the touchpad and playing tricks.  Have you watched yourself typing?  Post some pics! 

My apologies.  I'm running on 2 hours of sleep.

Hello,

First of all, I'm not sure that this is the right section of the forums for my problem. Sorry if it isn't.

I'm having this weird problem witht my screen. It is hard for me to explain, I'm not english, but I will try.
This is what happens:
- I turn on my computer
- I see a normal screen for ~1 second, then I hear a beep and my screen goes ALMOST black. It's like a very dark shade that comes over my screen , but I can still see some things. (>> I don't know if the beep has to do anything with this problem, could be just what he always does when he starts up<<)
- I turn off my screen, and put it back on. Again the screen shows normal for ~1 second, then 
the very dark shade comes on my screen again.
- I repeat turning off and on my screen till this stops. Sometimes it takes 10 repeats, sometimes it takes 1, sometimes 20. Looks like it's completely random.
- If I repeat the turning off and on of my screen, and the problem stops, then I will see a very little (barely noticable) "light flash". ( = The screen gets a little less dark than the screen I see when the problem happens BEFORE it turns very dark.) Sorry for the confusing explanatation  .
- If I stay away from the computer for ~1-2 hours, and I come back, the screen is on sleep mode. When I move my mouse to wake him up, the same problem happens. This only seems to happen if the sleep mode was on long enough. Doesn't happen with screensaver.

I have been having this problem since day 2 that I got this PC, had it for like a month. Then it stopped for about 3 weeks. then I had it again. up till now. (2 months)

I don't know anything about computers, but I'll try to give you my hardware specs.

Graphics CARD: NVIDIA Geforce 9500 GT
I don't know what this is but: Portable devices: - Flash HS-CF
                                                                            - Flash HS-MS/SD
                                                                            - Fash HS- SM

Dvd/cd rom : HL-DT-ST BDDVDRW GGC-H20N ATA device
Processor: - AMD PHENOM(tm) 9500 Quad-core processor
                  - AMD Phenom(tm) 9500 Quad-core processor
                  - AMD Phenom(tm) 9500 Quad-core processor
                  - AMD Phenom(tm) 9500 Quad-core processor

Vista 32-bit.

Thanks in ADVANCE,
Jim

If I were you I'd take it back to where you bought it and get it replaced.  If having it only for a month and you're already having problems it's not worth trying to fix.

Alan <><  But I'm not even sure that the MONITOR causes the problems. maybe it's my pc?Sounds like a problem with an old monitor I used to have.

In the end, it needed replacing.

If you want to make sure it's not a fault with the monitor, can you try another one?
(or try the current monitor on another computer)So if it is a problem with the monitor, then I can't do anything about it?

Edit: and yes I can try this monitor with other PC but not today.If it's a monitor problem, I don't think there is anything that can be done about it.Is this a desktop or a LAPTOP computer?DesktopTry what the others have suggested...by using the monitor on another PC.  If it does the same thing...it's the monitor...if not...then its another hardware issue.

my left shift button is stuck on down. i removed it and tried to put it back in but it just goes back in stuck . i cant click with it. I am thinking that if keyboard is of any significant age then - time for replacement ...... something from newegg.com or techforless.com perhaps.

Usual reason for sticking is spillage of something stickly but if not that and something that'll CLEAN up, then may not be too much else you can do.  Hard to tell entirely without the problem in front of me to look at - tho I have over the years managed to deal with key problems successfully a time or two. Quote from: ChrisXPPro on October 18, 2008, 05:02:43 PM

I am thinking that if keyboard is of any significant age then - time for replacement ...... something from newegg.com or techforless.com perhaps.

Usual reason for sticking is spillage of something stickly but if not that and something that'll clean up, then may not be too much else you can do.  Hard to tell entirely without the problem in front of me to look at - tho I have over the years managed to deal with key problems successfully a time or two.

You act like 3 years old...

the shift key usually includes a metal flange that acts to hold the key up- if you don't have that metal flange in the exact right position, it will stay stuck down.

I'd just get new keyboard, though.

I just purchased webcams for myself and distant grandchildren. We are hearing voice FEEDBACK during our calls which is very annoying. I moved the camera as far away from the speakers as possible but that did not work. Any advise?You're not necessarily using the microphone on the camera (if there is one)
If this is a laptop, you might have to turn your microphone down or use earphones/headphones.I am using a DESKTOP and I am trying to avoid using earphones so both grandma and grandpa can talk. What kind of feedback is this? I assume it's a high PITCHED sound?

Where is the microphone? On the camera?Yes, the microphone is on the camera. I am calling it feedback, but maybe it is called something else, it is not a NOISE. When I talk, I hear myself talking, like an echo back.What ? ?An echo, eh?

Does this happen with anyone, not only your grandchildren?

I am wondering if it is worth it to upgrade a few components or to simply buy a new computer. My system is at least four years old.

I currently have a:   Seanix SIS-650 mother board
                                Intel Pentium 4 Socket 478 mPGA
                                2x512mg PC133 RAM (all the board will hold)
                                Windows XP
                                I am unsure of my power supply

What do you all think is the verdict?
Thanks
PaulMy advice [if it were mine] would not invest any$$$ in the old systemThanks Xavier,
When I have looked at the price of new computers I wondered if it would make more sense to buy new, though the idea of the planned obsolescence is difficult for me. If I buy new I will undoubtedly donate my old one.
Thanks
PaulYour welcome: When you have an idea what system you are interested in post the components on this site & ask what do we think of what the PC contains. You mignh WANT to go to      web sites like  newegg.com     or   tigerdirect to see what is out there.Thanks again Xavier,
As money is tight I may have to wait a while. What are your thoughts about refurbished computers from some place like tiger direct?
PaulI never looked into refurbished units mabe someone else reading this post can give some input. WARRENTY would be the main issueLet's start with a budget and go from there...Any particular reason you're dissatisfied with your computer's performance now?  What's the processor speed?  You have a plenty of memory, with 1GB, for many tasks with Windows XP.  What's the video part of your system (ONBOARD or add-on card)?

Do you use file cleanup tools such as CCleaner?  Do you use any spyware detection/removal tools?  Do you defrag your hard drive?  In other words, do you try to keep your system optimized for best peformance?

Hey SOYBEAN,
Yes, i should have mentioned that I was looking to upgrade because my computer was rather sluggish. I wasn't sure if it was the RAM, or some other COMPONENT. Being rather new to working with computer components and some of these questions I wasn't sure. as you had suggested, it was quite a while since my last 'cleaning' of the system. It clearly needed to be defraged and I have since cleaned the system with nCleaner which seems like a pretty good system cleaner.

Upon further investigation, I realize that I have a 80GB hard drive and it was very, very full which could have been the reason for it seeming sluggish. After talking to a friend who has some knowledge of computers it seems one solution is to buy an new external harddrive. This way when someday this computer is obsolete this new external hard drive would still be usable with a new system and this would free up my current internal hard drive thereby hopefully returning the system to it's reasonably speedy processing.

What do you think of this solution and what do you think of the Western Digital Elements 500GB 3.5" External Hard Drive - 7200, USB 2.0?
Thanks,
Paulit all depends on what you are using your computer for, ie: games, music or video production as to what spec you want.
speed of the system dont depent too much on the size nor make of an hardrive at all.
just look at ram sizes and speed ect. also same for processor. eg: clock speed. also more cache can be good too.I will be using it mostly for serving the net, word processing, excel, and power point to the max as am in grad school and of course many family pics.

I figured that since my hard drive was so full and I am only going to be adding to it that a new hard drive was in order one way or another.Buy a new bigger internal drive and then "clone" the pld drive to the new one....
The external choice is nothing but a band-aid as Windows won't boot to an external without a big struggle...Given that much of what is on my hard drive is storage items, pics, documents, etc I would only be using the extra drive for storage. Why would I need or want to boot to the new drive?
Quote from: x-garfield-x on October 19, 2008, 03:22:44 PM

speed of the system dont depent too much on the size nor make of an hardrive at all.

Given that much of what is on my hard drive is storage items, pics, documents, etc I would only be using the extra drive for storage. Why would I need or want to boot to the new drive?

i opened my tower last night with the computer running and the little jolt seemed to freeze my computer so i manually TURNED it off.  now when i turn on my tower, the keyboard and mouse dont seem to be GETTING anything from it nor will the moniter.  maybe the little jolt fried something but i dont know.  any clues as what i should do? have you TRY your keyboard, mouse and monitor on another tower??yup workin fineif possible check the ram from the faulty tower in another system.Borrow a known WORKING PSU of the same or greater wattage and swap it in there...

this is my topic and i stubbed on the web book I'm currently trying to fix
it is a XP pentum 3 and it had a 6 GB hard drive , it would not boot up so i changed the hard drive to a 5 gig with 98 on them i could on install any driver because there is NO CD DRIVE it a total failure of a Laptop Now i added a 60 GB hard drive and it wont boot off it an How can i put an OS on it ?When you say can't boot, what exactly is the problem? do you get any errors? If there is no CD drive do you have an external one you can PLUG in?

FBi have no floppy drive or disk drive and the thing just wont start now i added the 60 gb hdd and i dont have any exteral drive sorri    It won't start? like no power? it's pretty boned if it's a laptop. you could check the cable/power adapter?

If you've got no CD drive/floppy drive then you can't really put an Os on the computer. unless you can get something like BartPE on a USB stick?

FBit wont load up after the screen saying press f10 to goin to the bios there is 128mb of ram it suckscan you get into the BIOS? what exactly happens?? any error or anything on the screen? XP will run on 128MB of RAM.

FBit gets past the first screen then it just gos blank with a wihte _ flashing and threre is no errors OK the HDD in there at the moment is there an OS loaded onto it? can you go into the BIOS and check the settings there?

FBnope there is nothing on it, i want to pu windows xp on it.
 compaq evo n200 this is the make and modle of the notebook if that helps there is nothing on this 60 gb hard drive i put in and the orgernal is blank Unless you have a CD drive somewhere (internal or external doesn't matter) then you can't install windwos XP. You can take the HDD off and attach it to another computer and install it on there then transfer the HDD back to the laptop.

FBthnx thnx that the bes5t thing i have HERD all day  i put the web BOOKS hdd in to another laptop and the other hdd into the web book but i will not boot the web book is Compaq Evo Notebook N200 the only thing i have changed is the hdd from 15 gb to a 60 i have put a hdd with windows 98 se on it it loads with that but the i can do any updates becse it has no drives and it i need to put drivers for the usb ports and graphics card

can't you update from the web?

FBnever mind i put the orgernal hdd bk in to it and i put windows on it but i have a nother problem, it will not load up normal or in same mode, ( u kno the screen were you select if u want to boot up in SAFE mode, safe mode with networking, safe mode with command prompt or normal?) it wot go past that screen if i seclect normal, and if i pick any safe modes it shows the driver the freezes   which driver does it freeze on?

FB

its a Dell CRT MONITOR, shipped with my com, and recently it shows a box from the monitor its self SAYING Luminance then under it Temperatura.... wat causes this and can it be QUICK fixed?What's the model number of the monitor?

It's probably a monitor menu setting, stating the stats or settings of the monitor...you can probably disable this feature through the monitor settings.where can i find the model number?

and i cant access the settings while this box is shown, i know my color is set to 9300

but i can also choose 6500, custom, or sRGBModel number is on the back of the monitor...on a label.

When you boot your computer...can you see your desktop?  Or just a black screen with these settings?REV A02

and when i boot my comp, its fine, i see my desktop, i can go about my business, but randomly a box shows up and  i can tell its not because of the comp, but the monitor itself, and in the box it says luminance then right under it temperatura, it doesn't prevent me from doing anything, even when the box is up my comp still functions normally, it just shows up and disappears randomlyLike I said before...

This is a setting from the menu button on your monitor itself.  You'll have to adjust this from the monitor buttons.

BTW...REV A02 is not a model number...

Do you have any documentation that came with your computer?

Specifically a disc or MANUAL regarding your monitor?  If so...start there for instructions on how to prevent this from showing up on your screen.

Other than that...there's not much I can do without the model number of your monitor.ok.... that and this :  0J9235-64180-695-00EJ  are the only numbers i could find on the back labelDoes it say anything on the front?Just DellI can't help you unless I know the model number of your monitor...

Somewhere in the documentation you have...there should be a reference to the model number of your monitor...

Other than that...I'm chasing my own tail...i DONT have documentation(its a second hand screen), thanks for tryin  i think i fixed it How did you fix it?i messed with the color settings and it just hasnt done it in the last 10-15 min, but b for it was doin it every 2, so i think i fixed itBTW...

You initially stated this monitor came shipped with your computer...then you stated it's a second hand screen...

So which is it?

Hi..I went to help someone with their usb drive which was not ALLOWING them to download onto
their flashdrive.

It appears that the computer(dell DIMENSION 4600 XP) does not recognize Drive F, removeable disc.

I did some RESEARCH and went to disc management and so on and the computer does not have any drive listed except for C.

How can I fix this and how could a drive like that be removed?

Thanks for any help given.

Computer Chic can you another one system? Im sorry, I didnt understand your REPLY...So the flash drive does not show up in disk management at all ? ?
Does it show up on your machine or any OTHERS ? ?
Is this a brand new drive or has it been used before ? ?
Sorry this is all questions but it will help.

Some flash drives have a micro-switch on them for security...so let us know what brand this is also to narrow things down.Thanks everyone for their help.  What happened was I just went over to this person's house, and updated the bios and chipset and drivers. Still nothing.

Then I unplugged a usb printer cable and viola! the p/c recognized the flashdrive. Then it showed up
in disc management, and then we were able to d/l quickbooks!

So, too much power was being drawn from the usb ports. 3 were involved in this conspiracy.  So I advised
her to get a usb hub for efficiency and safety!

So simple but something I never considered.

Computer ChicGood Work !

Something to keep in mind for future use...most front panel USB ports are notoriously under powered as well and whenever diagnosing USB troubles it's best to unplug as many devices as possibele.

I put together my first barebones kit and can't get the POST going when I turn the power on.  My monitor light stays orange and I just hear a series of beeps coming from the system.  I would like to know if one of the components are damaged so that I can return it before the time expires. 

Thanks!What kind of system did you build, and what operating system are you using?

You might CHECK to see if the RAM "sticks" are properly installed, and seated properly.  (One way to test is to remove the RAM, start the system and see what happens.

Also, the wires that run from the front of the COMPUTER -- are they properly installed on the pins on the system BOARD?

When you turn on the power, do the fans in the power supply and on the board work?The beeps themselves will offer a clue as well...care to be more specific ? ?First let me say thanks for the replies.  I'm pretty new at this and felt lost.  Well, I was all set to start over, so I began by taking out the memory to see what happens when I turn the power on.  I received the same exact beeps as before, so I seated it again using as much force as I dared.  Thankfully, when I powered up this time, I got the POST test and was able to get into the CMOS Setup.  My next step is to install the OS; I have XP, which I hear a lot of people prefer over Vista.  I bought the following barebones bundle from TigerDirect: http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4196649&Sku=M452-2845 C. 

Hopefully it'll be smooth sailing from this point on, but I'm glad to know there are people out there who are willing to lend a helping hand in case I run into problems.

Thanks again for your help; I really appreciate it!
P.S. I was getting two very quick beeps and FIVE consecutive beeps at a slower rate.We're here if needed...