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This new computer is an ACER Notebook. The key board and mouse pad STOPPED working. If we plug in a detached keyboard and mouse it will function, but then it would be like having a desk top, rather than a Laptop. Has anyone ever heard of this happening? We sent it back once, and the company ( under warranty REPLACED the MOTHER board) but it HAPPENED again and the same way.

Now heres the strange thing, It happen exactly after he down loaded a Sprint wireless card to access the internet. When it was repaired, he again put the Sprint wireless card , download the program, and when the program said, complete, not restart your computer to take effect, once we restarted the computer, again the keyboard and mouse pad again does not work. Does anyone know if Acer is prone to have problems? I would of never purchased an unknown computer like Acer, but he won this notebook at his High school Graduation party, so we felt blessed......... or were we cursed? Any ideas? he's off to college in two weeks, and I dont want to spend another $ 60.00 dollars to ship it to mfg.

I can understand your reluctance to spend money of shipping, but that's what warranties are for. Does Acer not have a repair depot near you that you can take it to?

In my experience Acer is usually more reliable than that, is there a possibility that the wireless card is bad, or that the tech didn't know what he was doing and made a mistake?

I need to sell my case, because my new cpu cooler is too big and I cant fit the side panel on. I am planning on selling it with only the fans, and none of the case feet or ccfls or anything. I also dont have any5.25 covers that match or anything. It has a couple starches were the paint came off, but not that noticeable. The only problem would be that there is no 5.25 covers. Im uploading the pictures now, but its TAKING awhile because they were so big











25 Bucks...Aww really?It's USED man.

How old is it?
Does the PSU go with it?
Is it still under warranty?
Is the warranty transferrable?
What did you pay originally?

Patio might be out by $10.00 or so, but he's PROBABLY pretty close.Well about a year old and no the psu does not go with it. I need that. I paid around $30 + at least another $40 for all the modsYeah, $25.00 seems about right.

Ok I have been trying to upgrade my computer for the past year and nothing has ever actually worked, so I just decided to get a new motherboard. The motherboard is a Gigabyte MA74GM-S2 I am using 2 IDE HARD drives with it. So i finally got everything HOOKED up and at first it seems to start up fine but thenI get to a screen where it says windows did not SHUT down properly and I choose to start up normally (I've treid safe mode but the exact same thing happens) and then the computer restarts and goes back to the bios screen. I also have a 600w psu 512mb of RAM (I'm going to borrow some from my friend 2marro and then I'l have a gig. And my processor (which i bought with the motherboard) is AMD A64 X2 4400+2.30Ghz OEM. I also have windows XP SP3 32bit installed. Can someone please help me? Did you reformat after installing the new motherboard?No, but I really dont want to have to loose everything on my computer. But if you really think that will make it work I guess I will. As long I can keep my other HD the same.Ya it will probably work fine after you reformatYou don't need to reformat you just need to reinstall. If your install without formatting you won't lose any files.Its BETTER to reformat first

When I try to print, I get the message "printer is offline check cables etc." Cables are fine. Printer is on. USB cable goes from my PC direct to MP800.

I have a second computer which is networked to this(main)one.
Wiring is:
my PC(PC1)to hub
hub to PC2

From the other pc, can print no problem, so signal goes from PC2 to (hub then to )PC1 then thru USB cable to printer and away she goes. So the POWER is on and the USB cable is sound and the printer PRINTS. Where to from here???
Help please.
I FIXED MY PROBLEM:
opened PRINTERS and Faxes
Deleted the printer
Add printer ("installed" it again)
worked.

this caused PC2 to now not be able to find the printer

Printers and Faxes again
Selected the printer.
Right click menu,
Share this printer.
Followed prompts.

On PC2
Printers and Faxes
Right click menu,
Add a printer wizard
Select network printer. Followed prompts.
double click printer nameAre you saying that you can access the same printer from both machines now?yep
everything is fine now thanks

I am considering buying a gaming mobo for my computer. I have a socket 775 CPU I WOULD like to use with the UNIT. Can you reccommend a GOOD BOARD that would fit the BILL?

Hello all,

The Receiving Dept. at the company I work for is having a printer issue and I wanted to see if anyone else has seen this before. They are PRINTING from a program called BRData which is the program we use to keep up with our inventory and PRICING, etc. The PC has a 1.8 GHz Pentium 4 processor and 1 GB RAM. It is running Windows XP Pro with SP3. The issue he is having is he had about 700+ price tags to print and when he tried to print them it would print the first page fine, but it wouldn't print the whole second page, it just stopped printing in the middle of a tag, and the third page (it would only print 3 pages) would SAY:

PCL XL error
Subsystem: KERNEL
Error: IllegalDataValue
Operator: VendorUnique
Position: 139

There are 8 tags per page. He was only trying to print several pages at a time because 700+ tags would tie up a printer for awhile so he wasn't trying to print all of them at once. The printer is an HP Color Laserjet 3600. I don't think it's a BRData software issue, I'm assuming it's more of a printer error but I'm honestly not SURE. I just wanted to see if anyone else has seen this error before. Thanks for any help.

hello I have upgraded my motherboard and Cpu and when I came to install the POWER supply I found out that it had a 24 pin conncetion on tme motherboard
My Power Supply has a 20 pin connector
the minimun for the mother BOARD is to be 400 w
and the Power Supply is 520 w
do you think it is advaisable if I CONNECT it just the same
?

THANKS I have connected it worked perfectly....

Not really, I have beer.Meeses...Anyway, to the topic.

USB MICE don't GENERALLY limit the refresh rate. PS/2 mice needed a registry edit to get close to the same performance.

You will notice that there are no PS/2 gaming mice.So it means, USB one should be preferred over PS-2!

HOWEVER, we are late! I have already opted for(& is using) a PS-2 based Optical Mice!

Its a Tiny one in comparison to the last but has given a 'New Feel' to me as a user!

Overall EXPERIENCE seems to be much lighter, Resource friendly than what it used to be with 'Ball Mouse'!Unless you're playing a high performance game you probably won't notice a difference.

I need help with my lop top computer

here is the problem i try to turn on the computer on and on the top
the first line says that

windows error recovery

lunch start up repair (recommended )
and then I click there
and a window comes
system recovery options
us
if I click next
other window come up and it says
select a operating system to repair and click next
only windows vista operating system are listed and can be repaired
and if I click next
other window come up and it says system recovery options

1. start and repair
2. system restore
3. windows complete pc recovery
4. windows memory diagnostic tool
5. command promt
6. dell factory image restore

if I click start and repair
the next window come up
it says
STARTUP repair can not repair this computer automatically
sending more information can help Microsoft create solutions
and then I click send information about this problem (recommended)
then other window come up and it reads
A hard disk problem is preventing windows from staring
does it mean that my hard drive is not working
do I need to get other hard drive?
help pleaseQuote from: XFILES on July 30, 2009, 08:41:52 PM

does it mean that my hard drive is not working
do I need to get other hard drive?
help please

lop top computer

lunch start up repair (recommended )

what is os?
is that operating system?

I have a system restore
is that good?

will this be a good idea?
if I get a new hard drive and restore my computer to its original factory settings and keep the old hard drive.

so maybe some day I can get my old files if possible?

I have a Dell Latitude D620 running Win XP SP3.

It has stopped charging its battery when plugged into my Kensington Universal 120W power adaptor (it runs off power, it SIMPLY does not charge).

When plugged into the OEM 90W adaptor, it charges fine.

I also receive an error message telling me that "The system will run slower and the battery will not charge. Please use a Dell 65W power supply for better operation." (Note that Dell supplied me with a 90W!).

This is true wherever it's plugged in; it's not local to an office, hotel, home, etc.

Here's what's strange:

This first began this Tuesday evening. It has operated correctly from the time I started using the Kensington (December 2007) until then.

The first time I noticed this, I rebooted the computer, and all was well again. The following day, the problem recurred, and has been continuously the case since.

I have tried System Restore, different batteries, updating the BIOS, but all seem to have no effect.

Today I tried the Kensington charger in a Dell Inspiron 6000 running XP SP2; it gave me the same error. I don't travel with the Inspiron, so I don't know if I've ever actually had it plugged into the Kensington before.

I have been told that Dell programs its motherboard to reject third party power supplies; that does not explain why it began this week and not before. I don't have enough data to narrow it down to something that might have changed around my Dell, or around my power adaptor...

Thanks for any suggestions...
120watt adapter used on a 90watt laptop is not good.... the adapters all are rated for the load that they will be given. So a 90Watt 12 volt DC adapter for example would be fine for a laptop REQUIRING 90watts, but a 120watt adapter rated at 12 volts DC will likely feed closer to 13 or 14 volts DC into the laptop if the Voltage Regulator in the adapter does not restrict the power output due to less of a load on the power divided from your wall outlet.

You could smoke your laptops charging unit due to the 30 watt difference which could over voltage the laptops charging unit.

But given the fact that your laptop is fine on the original 90watt adapter, but not well on the 120watt, it is possible that the 120watt adapter lost the battle by being incorrectly loaded ( in which your lucky ). If you were talking about a 100watt in place of a 90watt 10 watts wouldnt be as bad as a 30watt output difference.

Laptop power supplies ( ac adapters ) are different then internal PC power supplies in which you can have a 500watt supply for a system only requiring 350 watts. Far different architecture between a Switching Power Supply in a desktop computer and a laptops Drop Down AC/DC Transformer.

I'd BUY a new adapter and get some closer to 90 watts, and no more than 100 watts to limit the over voltage potential due to insufficient draw.Thanks.

Why, though, now?

And why does Dell tell me I need a 65W supply when the OEM is a 90W?So here's the drill.

Kensington power brick does not charge either Dell running XP SP3 (machines in original post.) It powers them, but does not charge them.

This happens anywhere I try; at home, hotel rooms, anywhere I try.

Now, HERE'S WHAT'S INTERESTING.

The Kensington CHARGED my Latitude just fine (in both USA and UK) from December 2007 (when I first used it) until November 2008. In November, I sporadically received the error message in my original post. Then, from December, until sometime this spring, I continuously received the error message (and no charging). Sometime in April, the Kensington resumed charging my laptop every time I used it. Until the last week of June. Now, it no longer works again.

There are no known changes to my setup. Same batteries, same outlets, same Kensington brick.

Any thoughts NOW?

Thanks!bump

Hi everyone, i had posted this on the bottom of a thread is started a few wks ago in software but not sure it's in the right section as it's not been replied to.
I had to buy a card reader for my new camera, when i plug it in and go to view pics as soon as i CLICK on it in my computer it says card NEEDS formatting do i want to format now? I click yes as when i click no it just sits there. It then comes up Windows could not format, i even tried this with my brand new card straight from the packaging, now when i put the cards in my camera they aren't showing up as in and i can't seem to copy pics to them? The card reader is new and a Belkin that reads MULTIPLE cards, has it ruined my cards? I really need to get this working for work, any help is greatly appreciated.
Thanks
TashCan you format the cards in the camera? That's what I have to do with my camera.....Hiya i have DONE that, but as soon as i put it back in the reader i get the same thing. Do HAVE to install the software?
Probably a really dumb question
Thanks
TashQuote from: scary-faery on July 30, 2009, 02:47:01 PM

Hiya i have done that, but as soon as i put it back in the reader i get the same thing. Do HAVE to install the software?
Probably a really dumb question
Thanks
Tash

Was using brand NEW lap top with universal power cord (dogs had chewed the original). computer was working fine, was shut down fine last use (with universal power cord being used) Next time tried to boot up without power cord- nothing, with power cord still nothing. screen blank, no beeps. sent back to MANUFACTURER, but was told that universal plug is at FAULT and therefore warranty does not apply. In researching, it looks like POST failure due to ? power SUPPLY cord. What can I do to correct this? Did this cause something to burn out? If so- what? ThanksIt seems that, according the manufacturer, voided the warranty by using a different power cord than what they want. Unfortunately for you if that cord was indeed the PROBLEM and it burnt out the motherboard then unless you can find some sympathetic soul to help you it the you are out of luck.

Alan <><

i tried to put a motherboard and cpu from a DELL optiplex gx260 with a p4, into a optiplex gx 150 that had a p3....all the lights come on but it will not power up...what am i doing wrong?PENTIUM 4 may require AUXILIARY power connector from PSU to motherboard.....power supply in the pentium 3 may not have the connector or it's not plugged in..shouls i try useing a power supply for a gx 260Just see if you can find some sort of 4 pin thing that needs plugged in on the mobo. If you cant find the 4 pin on the psu, then try to take the psu from the NEWER optiplex

I'm trying to figure out what kind of video card I need that would meet these needs:

AGP 4x/8x slot
supports dx 9
DVI output
capable of 1680x1050 resolution
suitable for watching movies and tv (I'm not a gamer)
$25 or less.

I've been looking on Ebay and there's lots out there, but there seems to be a lot of opinions on which cards support the 1680x1050 resolution in digital and manufacturers are not very clear on that one.

Is it reasonable to ASSUME any card from 2006 on will support my monitor's native res with new drivers?

Most manufacturer's are clear on the dx9 question though I'm unclear on the differences between "supports", "capable" and "compliant".

Finally, do I need more than a 128MB card if I'm not gaming?

Thanks,
JohnWell, my dad just watches videos on his old dell along with doing some work things on his computer and he is happy with his 128mb nvidia geforce 5200card.

supports, capable and compliant -- this is what I think ..., supports and capable means the card can handle said operations or features (even if graphics card manufacturer is not required to include it) , compliant would mean it meets a certain requirement. This is only what I think, maybe you want to look more into it for specifics. But is he running 1680x1050 with dvi?

I gather the same thing. "Compliant" might not be 100%.Is the HDD still clicking ? ?...if so we can't recommend a vid card...Oops I should have changed the subject of this thread. I was originally going to post the update about the hd here but realized it would be better on the original thread.
In short, I've replaced that hd and the new one is just fine. I'm still trying to figure out how to recover my data from the old 40g hd or from the backup files I CREATED.

The new drive is 160g and more pertinent to the vid card, the new power supply is 480w.Check out the XFX nVIDIA GeForce 6800 XT 256MB 128-bit DDR3 AGP 4X/8X card from following ebay link....

http://cgi.ebay.com/XFX-nVIDIA-GeForce-6800-XT-256MB-128-bit-DDR3-AGP-4X-8X_W0QQitemZ190325139373QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCC_Video_TV_Cards?hash=item2c504327ad&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

There is still about 2 and a half days until bid ends, however, you might be able to get a good deal on this card. If you can get it for $25 or less, I would be amazed

Yes, there are native DVI ports on the card and yes, you should be able to run your monitor at its native resoltusionYes that would be a good card under $25. A quick look suggests that they go for much more than that on Ebay. Still, I'll throw in a bid....
Would the 5200 cards be OK? This one is an example: http://tinyurl.com/mlosh5
They tend to go a good bit cheaper.

For DVI watching movies, tv but not gaming am I likely to need anything more than 128mb?

I set my budget low because this is an old box and it just doesn't make sense to put much into it. Still, it's more than adequate for my needs if I can get the display digital.

I did learn that I am able to get the display up to 1680x1050 in vga with the newest drivers for my on board Intel Extreme graphics2 hardware. It wouldn't ALLOW me to do it thru normal windows display settings but a shortcut stuck on my taskbar that I almost didn't notice gave me more graphics options.

Thanks,
JohnIt should be tolerable enough to get you over until you get enough cash to seriously upgrade to a good machine. But I'd still try to get the 6800 at a potentially low price, it's got more memory, a better memory interface and would serve better.

I'd like to know too what processor you are using with the computer; P4 3ghz
1gb ram
480w power supply

I mainly use the machine for surfing, email, minor photo editing, word processor, bookkeeping, etc. so I don't need much.
Watching dvd's and tennis is probably the most I ask it to do.like I said, FX 5200 probably should be ok for you, it supports that BIG monitor resolution you wanted and secondly like I said if you can get that 6800 for cheap, it's a better deal.

if you want another opinion on the FX 5200, you can ask el-bandit, the seller of the FX 5200 from your tinyurl link you listed already below

...without error message and while computer is idle (not sleeping or hibernating). For EXAMPLE, tonight I shut down all foreground programs and went elsewhere for a couple hours. I don't screensave, SLEEP, or hibernate the computer when it is plugged in.

There have been no reports of problems/conflicts in the device manager. The only other symptom that may or may not be related is I can no longer call up my iTunes program after I've discovered that the USB devices no longer respond. Neither can I terminate the iTunes.exe process in my TaskManager.

I can say that despite the lack of response from the iPod, Windows Explorer still recognizes it.

The computer is a little more than 2 years old.

Windows Vista Home Premium (Service Pack 1)
Gateway MT3705 Notebook
4GB DDR2 RAM
100 GB PATA, 4200 RPM
Intel DUAL Core Pentium Processor T2060, 1 MB L2 Cache, 1.6 GHz, 533 Mhz FSB
3 USB (It appears 1 2.0 Controller and 2 1.1 Controllers. Does this MEAN I have only 1 true 2.0 USB port? ), Recently Added 4-Port Hub and Using External Power Supply

Software I run in the background frequently:

Ad-Aware
Diskeeper
Postgre SQL 8.3

The USB Devices I Use:

2 iPods (I was trying to use both at once, but I limited it to 1 at a time after the problems STARTED. One is 5th Generation or later, the other is an earlier generation i Pod.)
Logitech Trackman Wheel mouse
Belkin Razer Gamepad
Self-powered additional 4 USB port hub

I hope I have provided enough information. If there are any questions, feel free to ask. Thanks in advance.

Matt

I Have Sony Vaio VGC-RB34G Running Windows XP Media Edition. My computer came with No XP CD just the Cheap Recovery System From the Control Panel That I had to Make USING Two DVDS. My Original HARD Drive Has a Currupt File that will not Load Windows So I bought another Hard drive of same Make and Model I Installed and Now when I go to boot Windows I have to Press F5 to Run windows from the Second hard drive. When In BIOS it SHOWS both HD And I dont know How to Slave the Original so When I start It runs The New Hard drive and Shows The Original as a x: drive so I can Copy THE system File I need to the Currupt Hard drive.. This sony is giving me trouble from day one.. Please HelpThere should be a setting in BIOS under Boot in which you chose which order it boots up each hard drive. If that doesn't work, you made need to take the original out and replace it with the new one to make it the primary drive....I was sure that in Bios I had my second hard drive as second choice for boot. I do want them both connected so i can swap files. But even when I have the second Hard drive Booted in windows it does not reconize the Original Hard driveThe new hdd has to be formated from discmanagmentFor this to work as you want it the first HDD with an OS on it WOULD have to be connected and the OS installed to the 2nd HDD...
There is no BIOS switch or voodoo setting that will do this for you...ok the only reason i wanted to do this is the original HDD is currupt and wanted to copy files from the New HDD to the old. I can load and use windows in the new HDD But just dont see the other as a drive and they are both conected. Option# 2 i disconnected the New HDD an I found somone with XP CD i ran Recovery console and tried copy system file from command prompt, but wouldn't allow it. so I Ran FIXBOOT and I got Error message "cant find system drive" tried BOOTCFG and I think the message I Got was "The volume appears to contain one or more unrecoverable problems" I thought for sure with the recovery console I could get it fixed without reformat. I wanted to stay away from format because i have tons of pictures and music that i dont want to loose. I do have Search and Recover 4 That claims to dig deep after format but NOt sure if i want to try that yet.. it has been good with finding files on the other drive... Anyone Have more Sujestions?? experianced Help is much Needed.

That does seem to be it, yes.

There seems to be a precedent with WIRELESS cards having the same issue; there is actually a thread on the Linksys forums specifically for my model of card--WMP300 N. Thus FAR all issues seem to have been driver related, and there haven't been any changes made to the driver with my particular card to correct the issue (although apparently for the USB version there has been--though per that thread it now dumps everything to the PCI BUS instead).Quote from: patio on July 29, 2009, 08:32:37 AM

Other than fabricating SAY a cardboard shield covered in aluminum foil to nest between the 2 cards i'm outta ideas...

When disabled, the spike occurs immediately as I disable it, and then for the duration of the disable I get no spikes. As soon as I re-enable it the spike occurs again, and then resumes it's 1-1.5 minute cycle of spiking.

Hi guys,

So I'm in the middle of watching the end of the 4th season of The Wire on my PS3, when I get a media server error, and the playback stops. I originally assumed that the COMPUTER (the one serving the media over the network) had done an automatic Windows restart or something, and would eventually come back on. Well, that never happened. I went to the machine to check it out, and all of the inside lights were on, including the keyboard and MOUSE, the fans and HDDs were spinning, but there was no display to the monitor. Restarting by pressing the power key on the case didn't work. I was still getting no display as EVEN the BIOS screen wasn't showing.

At first I thought it was a video card issue, but if that was the case, the operating system would still be running, and the media server would still be up. So I then tested the ram. There are two 1 GB sticks being used, so I tried each one individually. Still nothing.

Now I'm thinking (mostly because I've been Googling the issue, and these seems to be the likely culprits) that it's either the power supply, or the motherboard. I tried turning the system on with no ram to see if it would beep, and nothing happened. Still no display either. The only difference is everything goes on, waits a few seconds, then shuts off. It will keep doing this until I press the power button again.

So I'm not completely stuck, not yet anyway, but I could definitely use some more experienced insight before I go any further. What I'm going to try to do is to find an extra power supply and use that. Getting another motherboard right away won't be as easy so I'm hoping I can find out what's really going on with the other power supply.

Here are the specs to my system. It was built from scratch.

Video card - EVGA 512-P2-N757-TR GeForce 8600 GT 512MB 128-bit GDDR3 PCI Express x16

RAM - G.SKILL 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)

Motherboard - GIGABYTE GA-EP35-DS3R LGA 775 Intel P35 ATX

Processor - Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 Wolfdale 3.0GHz LGA 775 65W Dual-Core

Power supply - CORSAIR CMPSU-550VX 550W ATX12V V2.2

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Some more info...

After waiting a few days, then going back and reconnecting everything, the computer successfully turned on. After about 5 minutes or so, it abruptly shut off like it did before. Then the same problem of no display or anything occurred. I tried clearing the CMOS and still nothing.

Any ideas?Sounds like overheating, how's the housekeeping.....DUST buildup, fans clean, working, etc......Check monitor cable and connections.......Try a different monitor, have you moved or jolted the case recently.....make SURE the heatsink is flush to the motherboard all around......then swap the PSU.if the video card failed the PC would not stay up as you hypothesize; the symptoms experienced in that situation would be the same as those you've observed.Quote from: jd342 on July 20, 2009, 09:24:37 PM

...What I'm going to try to do is to find an extra power supply and use that. Getting another motherboard right away won't be as easy so I'm hoping I can find out what's really going on with the other power supply...

Just a follow-up in case anyone is INTERESTED...
The WD hard drive is definitely bad and I have not been able to recover any information from it yet.
My computer is running happily with the new/used Seagate in there and this AM I'd hooked the WD up as a slave and wahah! it showed up and I was EVEN able to access it via explorer. Unfortunately when I tried to grab files off of it it stopped responding and I've never been able to get it to show up in windows again.
It does show up during the boot SEQUENCE although the computer pauses a long time when it's assessing that drive. but is shows up as ok and then I get an bad drive message.

I'd backed this drive up a couple of weeks ago but I can't get the backup software (Paragon) to do what's it's supposed to do with the files. Darn, darn and double darn.
I've tried freezing the drive but that hasn't HELPED yet....

Thanks for all help with this,
John

And now I feel I have answered my own question as it does not have an ide drive - is there such a thing as a sata convertor to ide?

...return the drive for a SATA burner.

just deleteQuote

Sometimes, C++, BATCH, PAWN, HTML and GML is not ENOUGH

Windows XP pro sp3
Celeron 2.0ghz
1 stick of 512MB Ram DDR
1 stick of 256MB Ram DDR
I think Board is made by Intel see Herel

I dont have model or Serial number cause the board it not in ORIGINAL case unless its on the motherboard.

So problem is that no image on MONITOR and floppy drive keeps searching for disk and i dont see the CD drives light flashing as if it was restarting. Before all this happen it work till one day it stating having blue lines down the screen or the words were like half on the screen then the rest would be on other side of screen but if you restarted it a few time it would work. Then till one time it would not fix itself then i REMOVE ram and put them back in and it worked for a little then stoped. I removed the battery and it didn't fix any thing. So thanks to anyone that can help solve problem.
I see no ideas came from any one so far but i have found a Capacitor that's plague right along the side of heat sink so im thinking this is causing the problems that i have.I would test that cap.
Sounds like a bad graphics card - Try a new one in the pc and see what happens.

ALSO the floppy drive accessing is perfectly normal - it is caused by windows.

What do you mean by a capacitor that is plague?

Cameron GrayThe graphic card is integrated and i tryed a graphic card but it didn't work. I don't know what its CALL i seen both way its called a capacitors bulge or capacitor plague. It means when they go bad they will usually break open the top or bulge out the top or bottom it will. Mines only bulged, never broke open.Even bulging like that means it has gone bad. If you are a steady hand you can replace it with one of the same type. If not then I suggest replacing the entire motherboard, sometimes it is better to replace than repair. Just my 2 cents worth.Does anyone know of a good place to buy capacitor the one i need is 6.3v 3300uf and Diameter 10 mmRaido Shack is my suggestion for that.

Hi, I have a Epson C48 printer, which has a button for bringing the 'carriage' out to let me change the CARTRIDGES when the ink has run out.
Lately, I have been trying to get the printer to get the cartridge cradle in the middle (by pressing the red button) usually it stops in the middle so I can change the cartridges when they run out, but now
it keeps stopping or hesitating in the middle, then makes a 'clicking' noise and goes BACK into the right hand side of the printer stopping me from getting the OLD cartridge out and putting a new one in, at the same time it wants to 'eject' a sheet of paper from the printer instead of going in the middle for the removal of the cartridge so if I try again to get the cradle going it ejects the paper instead.
Would appreciate some help with this.ThanksReally, really, basic, and I apologize. Unplug the printer, and leave it unplugged for about thirty seconds or a minute. When you plug it in again, does it still do the same?

Do you have the manual available? Are you able to make the printer run a self test or self diagnostic?Another really basic. If you turn it upside down and shake it does anything rattle or fall out (like maybe a foriegn object)?
(I don't think this will hurt anything if done gently. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong).Serena,The suggestion by Aegis can often overcome the fault (usually associated with an unfinished task). However it may require a process a bit more in depth if that doesn't do the trick. Go to your add/remove programs and uninstall the associated printer software. Then using your manual and follow the sequence as if you were introducing the printer to the computer for the 1st time. I would not recommend turning upside down and shaking the printer (no matter how gentle). You could also remove all the paper from the tray and start the printer it should BRING up the out of paper warning and then while still on add the paper and it MIGHT then try to complete the task that is presently causing the problem. I would try Aegis's solution 1st then mine.truenorthQuote from: lectrocrew on July 27, 2009, 09:15:56 PM

Another really basic. If you turn it upside down and shake it does anything rattle or fall out (like maybe a foriegn object)?
(I don't think this will hurt anything if done gently. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong).

thank you very much lectrocrew, i understand what way now Quote from: dkobeb24 on July 13, 2009, 07:27:18 PM

CPU Cooler Zalman CNPS 9700 HTTP://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835118019 $48.98 (IS A COOLER NEEDED?)

Zalman CNPS 9700

Well, if the air conditioner compressor quits in my car, I know where to get a replacement!!

Just thought I might share a recent overclock.

I had the stock Q6600 2.4ghz pushed up to 3.4GHZ with stable TEMPS.
Though I later settled with 3.15 as the temps where ACTUALLY around 15degrees lower in general.

I'll ALSO just add here, with the POWER of my new cooler (Typhoon V1)
I was ABLE to get my cpu at its stock speed to have an idle of just 22degrees and a load max of only 33degrees.
Though obviously with the overclock they well exceded 33degrees.

Here are some screen shots.
3.4GHZ Overclock and temps



3.10GHZ Overclock and temps








accident double post

I use my LCD TV as my monitor for my computer, I currently have the two hooked up via hdmi to DVI with my computer speakers sitting next to my TV for sound. I already tried a HDMI to HDMI cable to try to get sound from the computer to my TV and it didn't work. Is there any other way to get the sound from my computer to come out my TV. I THOUGHT of GETTING a 3.5mm/ audio ax cable to hook up the two but haven't tried it YET. Pleeeesse does anyone know how to get sound from the computer to my TV (I am tired of these little speakers on my 40 inch LCD TV). My computer is a gateway GT5678 and my TV is a Philips 42TA648BX/37Does your sound card support dual outputs?

If it does just pick up a RCA to 1/8" stereo cable. It would go from the out on your sound card, that's the 1/8" stereo male, to the input on your tv, that's the stereo RCA.Thanks, I looked up the sound device on my computer and it shows two, "realtek high definition audio" and " NVIDIA HDMI audio", but i'm not sure if these take the dual outputs, I'm assuming you mean the RCA red and white jacks right?I have exactly the same configuration as you from a Dell XPS computer and for the audio i just come out of the "line out " of the computer sound card with a mini stereo male jack and into the HDTV LCD with a left and right RCA male cable combination (red/white) plugs.Works fine and i even then run both the TV and the computer based sound through an external 3 speaker/headset variable volume control system.truenorthQuote from: truenorth on July 26, 2009, 10:11:36 AM

I have exactly the same configuration as you from a Dell XPS computer and for the audio i just come out of the "line out " of the computer sound card with a mini stereo male jack and into the HDTV LCD with a left and right RCA male cable combination (red/white) plugs.Works fine and i even then run both the TV and the computer based sound through an external 3 speaker/headset variable volume control system.truenorth

I've owned a SET of Altec Lansing XA2021 speakers for about 1 year (bought them new). They have always sounded great and I never played them very loud so that they would sound that way for quite a while. About 1 week ago I noticed a very slight scratchy, rattling sound from the SUBWOOFER. Then today I was listening to some music when I heard a loud rattling noise. The only way to not hear the sound is to turn the bass to practically zero (not good for a Led Zeppelin fan). Does this mean their dead?

Also, I tried plugging in to a different socket with the same problem.do you sitll have warranty on the speakers? Maybe just get it replaced via warranty if you still have warranty on it.If the speakers are out of warranty you could always just recone them, but in most cases it's cheaper and easier to just replace them.

You could always just take a look inside the enclosure and see if a foreign body is the culprit as well.I would try to take the enclosure apart but it is glued and not screwed together and I would probably do a lot of damage to it if I tried to take it apart.
When I shake it a little there is nothing moving around in it, so I don't think there is another object or a LOOSE part.
Tried to hook my PC into my stereo system and that works but I would like to have PC speakers instead.
Also, no warranty! Bought them from Amazon and didn't think to buy one (kinda stupid on my part, but I was trying to save my $$$)I would just recommend getting new speakers then, unless you're fine with using the stereo.Sometimes there can be little shards of plastic that get stuck in the spider of the speaker yet they don't rattle as a loose piece would. I have also seen solder blobs inside the basket of the speaker.

Is the speaker screwed to the enclosure? If so, take it out an look to see if there is debris or if the wires GOING to the voice coil may be touching the back side of the speaker. That happens more than you would think.Like I said, the enclosure is glued and the grills aren't removable, so I can't take it apart and look inside.
Using my stereo for now and am LOOKING into buying some 2.1 logitech's I seen.
Thanks to all!OK It is possibly glued together, but most cabinets are screwed together.

The screws are frequently hidden under adhesive rubber feet or labels. Hopefully that is your situation.

Grills are also frequently just snapped in and will unsnap if a small pry force is applied.

If they are so noisy as to be unusable, then there is no harm in trying.

Just my .02.Yep, if you can't afford new speakers, and the old ones are out of warranty then you can always disassemble and reassemble them based on what you find. However if you have to get into re-coning a speaker it is usually cheaper and easier to replace it. Unless it is a pro quality speaker, and those are never glued.

For some REASON I just CANT REALLY GET the CLIP on there

We have a couple home PC's (used mainly for gaming and saving family photos) in our house. Tonight, my wife was playing a game and her computer froze up. When she TRIED to do a hard boot - she was able to get through the logo screen for Windows XP Professional and click to login as admin (per the usual) but once she clicks ok - the screen goes to a blank blue screen and will not bring up the desktop. After a couple minutes an error message comes up that says;

"Microsoft visual C++ Runtime Library
program: \??\C:\windows\system32\winlogon.exe
this aplication has requested the Runtime to terminate in an unusual way. Please contact the applications support team for more information.

Also, the wallpaper photo of my daughter comes up after a few minutes. But no icons appear on the desktop.
The main thing we want to try to accomplish is saving all our family photos that she was in the process of backing up on dvd. Hoping that all this data is not lost forever.
A couple things to note about this computer - it's a home built job - built by my buddy who worked in IT at my company - he put the whole thing together about 6 years ago. Sadly he passed away last year from complications due to an injury he sustained from mixed martial arts boxing. Yes, more info than you need to know except for the fact that all the Windows discs/passwords etc were all in his possesion and I'm unable to get them ever again. I don't even have a copy of the windows xp disc he used to install it.
I wish I could tell you more about the OS/system. I tried going into the safe mode and "using last known working configuration" but these didn't solve the problem - same thing happens.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
-Knuckles (first time poster)If you only wish to backup your files (which are mostly likely just fine) grab the latest release of Ubuntu Linux. You just burn it to a disc and it will boot "live" which means you dont have to install it. Just boot from the dc-rom. Then you should be able to access you files.

www.ubuntu.com

If you like Ubuntu you can install it also. Its a little different than windows. If you DECIDE to install you should backup all your files first and then formant the hard drive to remove everything.Quote from: Teddyknuckles on July 19, 2009, 12:50:51 AM

I tried going into the safe mode and "using last known working configuration" but these didn't solve the problem - same thing happens.
Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
-Knuckles (first time poster)

I checked to see if ANYONE had this similar problem, it didn't LOOK like it: The sound on my INTERNET is no longer working on Firefox and Explorer. The sound works just fine on Itunes and DVD's. I have googled this issue and still haven't fixed it, things I have done: restarted the computer,
downloaded latest versions of Flash, Firefox etc.
begged the computer to work.
checked the sound settings for the computer

(its a DELL desktop, it plays all videos on the internet just fine, but no sound)

any suggestions? what OS?I also made SURE Java was enabled and ran a trouble shoot on Audio CodecsWindows XP

Hi the NAMES Aaron i been tryin to sell a processor on crigslist and wonderd any one want it or a hardrive 80 gb brand new Feel free to email me about the condtion and a where i am located willing to pay shiping and everthing you need to remove your email ADDRESS OTHERWISE you may end up GETTING a lot of spam mail.

If any one is interested in the items have them PM you and then you can give them you email address.

Update =
I had problems accessing some websites (including this one and Yahoo mail) at first with a dialog box saying:
Quote

"Iexplore-
This program has performed an illegal operation and will be shut down. If the PROBLEM persist contact the program vendor."

what are the functions of the 7 BUTTONS located below the monitor screen?
they are labeled only with symbols and I don't want to mess anything up by PLAYING with them! tnx for any assistance that you can give! This varies by make and MODEL. What make and model is the monitor? CRT or LCD?Gateway VX720 monitor! buttons are marked:
FPM/OSD OFF
left/right ARROWS (1 button each)
down/up arrows (one button each)
-/+ button (one button each)
large square on/off button
tnx for the reply! You will find that information HERE.

Hello everyone, I was wondering if you could help me? I had a HP Pavilion laptop computer that the screen died on me and I removed the hard drive. I bought a new HP G60-445DX notebook PC and bought a Gigaware hard drive ENCLOSURE so I could hook up my old hard drive to my new laptop and remove the files that I want (pictures mostly). When I hook up the drive to my laptop I hear the hard drive spinning and I get a message on my toolbar (Safely Remove Hardware) so I know the computer knows that there is SOMETHING connected but when I go to "MY COMPUTER" the drive does not SHOW up. I can see the hard drive when I go into Device Manager... it's listed as ST910082 8A USB Device. When I double CLICK on it it says that "This device is working Properly" . The driver is the latest driver (6.06.6002.18005). I've uninstalled the driver and reinstalled it and still nothing. My new computer is running VISTA and the old hard drive was running XP if that matters. Now I've tried to reinstall the hard drive in my old laptop and hook that laptop up to an old desktop screen and kept getting the message "PXE-E61 Media Test Failure" so I dont think the drive is being recognized there either? The original problem with my old laptop was just that the screen was shot.......then I removed the hard drive........I didn't know at the time that all I had to do was hook up my laptop to another screen and I probably could have gotten my files off of it that way(hence the name BigDumy). I can hear the hard drive in the enclosure spinning when it is plugged into my new laptop I just can't do anything with it. Any help would be appreciated. If there is any other information that you need just let me know. I saw this very same problem on another forum somewhere but there wasn't a solution. Thanks in advance for any help.I looked in Disk Management and the external hard drive is there but it doesn't have a letter . Layout: Simple, Type: Basic, under file systems it's blank and under status: Healthy (Active, Primary Partition). If I right click on it all the choices are greyed out and the only ones I'm able to click on are VOLUME and HELP. Quote from: BigDumy on July 19, 2009, 08:57:29 PM

I looked in Disk Management and the external hard drive is there but it doesn't have a letter . Layout: Simple, Type: Basic, under file systems it's blank and under status: Healthy (Active, Primary Partition). If I right click on it all the choices are greyed out and the only ones I'm able to click on are VOLUME and HELP.

A few weeks ago my computer stopped recognizing my audio driver and i ATTEMPTED fixing the problem myself by installing some THINGS (i was looking for help on some other website) and i probably just MADE things worse..
i have an hp pavilion slimline,
Windows XP,
1.40 GHz,
504 MB Ram,
SP3,
if that helps

and also when i go into my device manager, whatever i installed/uninstalled for audio, all i have now is
-Realtek High Def Audio


my brother has the same computer, with perfectly WORKING sound and in his device manager i found
-audio codecs
-legacy audio drivers
-legacy video capture devices
-media control devices
-realtek high def audio
-video codecs


And my audio adapter is
-Intel 82801FB ICH6 - High Definition Audio Controller [B-1]

i don't know what to do to reinstall software/fix my problem
help WOULD be GREATLY appreciated!i don't really know how to do that

is there any way i can just reinstall the software my computer came with? i already went to the HP website and reinstalled the Realtek high def audio driver but that didn't helpP.S. I am curious to why you think posting the problem twice is going to get any different results.truenorth

Having problems with computer just shutting down, we were having some issues with are computer, A friend told me to go to download.com and download AVG antivirus and run this to help clear computer of viruses. The problem was while this was downloading computer just shut off for no reason,and every sence this everytime you try to watch a video clip on u-tube or comparable site's. I have since downloaded,malwarebytes anti-malware and run the scan everyday and comes up no viruses but computer still shuts down,when trying to veiw a video clip or on certain websites.

Can this be a flash drive problem? OR?

Any help would be greatly apprecatiedPlease, post some computer info:
- processor type, amount of RAM (hold Windows logo key, hit Pause/Break key)
- hard drive size/free space (open "My Computer", right click on hard drive letter, click "Properties")
- security programs in use (antivirus, firewall)


Download, and install SpeedFan: http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php
Post your computer temperatures:


Pentium (r) 4 cpu 3.40ghz 3.40 ghz, 1.00 Gb of ram
cap. 153 GB
used 20.0 GB
Free space 133 GB
33.72-34.83 C

Hope these are the #'s you were looking for

malwarebytes anti-malware Quote

33.72-34.83 C

CPU 77 °C (171 °F)

Hi I have a PB Argo 2 notebook which was purchased in 2007. It has been nothing but trouble but just recently it has developed a fault that has rendered it un-usable at present and I am trying to seek some ADVICE on ways to solve/test the problem.

When I turn the computer on the screen is very HARD to see (no lights), I can MAKE out the faintness of the screen but it is very very dull. This starts at the startup and continues.

- I have taken in to a computer shop who have tested the inverter and this is ok.
- I have replaced the LCD and the NEW LCD has the same issue.
- Finally I have tried it on another computer screen and the other screen works wihtout issue.

Can anyone advise me the best way to identify the problem and the best way to fix it?

Regards,

SteveIt may be video chip. Most likely, not worth replacing on 2 years old laptop.do you have a desktop pc monitor> maybe you can connect it and see if the monitor works fine with your laptop.

I have a TSSTcorp CDDVDW TS-L632H ATA DVD drive on my Laptop.

I wanted to watch a DVD today, so I inserted the disk.

It did the usual thing and spun the disk up to a very low speed, but instead of searching for a video file, the lens could be heard moving backwards and forwards like it does when I start the laptop up. It did this twice then the disk spun up to a higher speed, then spun down to a stop after a few seconds. When I clicked on the DVD drive in My Computer, a BOX appeared saying "Please insert a disk into E:\" then the disk ejected.

It might be a glitch that will sort itself out when I restart, but I thought I would post here just to make sure.

I have TRIED more than one disk.

I have attached a HJT log if it helps.

[attachment deleted by admin]Have you BURNED a lot of FILES on this drive?How old is the drive ? ?

They don't make 'em like they used to...That kind of sound is telling me, the laser is going out.
You can try lens cleaner, but they never WORKED for me...REPLACE the driveWorks fine now after restart.

like the title says i have a laptop and the screen is gone.. doesnt WORK. but the laptop itself works.

Now, the only way i can connect it to a TV or another screen is via this cable (S Video Cable):


but i need to change this on properties, settings and select the second screen... but without the laptop screen WORKING is there any other way i can do it?
btw i searched and i was told about the F5 or F6 and neither work..Laptop make/model please.

it's a HP.. ima see the model later i dont remember and dont have it with me right nowalmost all laptops, have a Fn key combination that will switch to the external display.

they usually have a picture of TWO SCREENS over it... On mine I press Fn+F5 to switch too/from an external display.yeh i TRIED that but no luck my F5 is something like this |[]| the screen ochanging one is 2 [][]

hey all~ my first post, sucks it has to be about a problem.

as in the title, my screen on boot-up is SHOWING " ( " character over the dos text, even on the safe MODE screen.
[ex. "R(n Safe M(de?"]

Windows will not start. Any help would be APPRECIATED greatly for I have never seen this problem before. thx Sounds like a problem with the video card. Try reseating the card. Also ensure the connection to the monitor is secure. Failing that, you might need a new video card.

thank you! i have switched cards and the wacky text is gone. however, windows will not display itself after the XP screen. is this another problem or a trip to a forum describing how to change my video settings before windows loads? thxthxWell, actually, you fixed your problem, but Windows is still loading the drivers for your OLD graphics card; and then it crashes since it's not there anymore.

What you should do is start in safe mode. Then you can install the drivers for your new card, and upon reboot you should be good to go.

I am fairly certain that this has something to do with my video card/driver, but i have never had this happen before.
I have searched the forums and other places on the web and have only come up with the advise to seek a professional. I am hoping there is something i have missed. lol. But i thought i would try this last effort before shelling a couple hundred bucks.

My wife and I are gamers, specifically MMORPG's. I KNOW these are graffics heavy games and require a decent video card. I also know that laptop's tend to get hot and that will slow things down or cause damage.

While playing our game, the screen started to do funny things, jumbling up the image, lines of odd colors and flickering. It passed and i finished up the game. When my wife tried to restart the puter, it would not start up immediately and wanted to do a start up repair that ultimately did nothing.
After playing around a bit, i was able to get to boot up normally and thru some troubleshooting found that our video card driver had somehow become corrupted.
The MS Update showed a new driver update and we FIRST tried that driver. However the problem got worse. I ran a system restore and was able, after several tries, to get back into window. I researched the video card and found that NVIDIA (we have a NVIDIA Geforce 8600 for laptop video card) had an even more recent update to the video card. I uninstalled the previous driver and installed the new driver as advised by NVIDIA.
The driver went thru its install shield and everything seemed to be installing well. I got up to do a quick errand as the install took its time and when i came back, the screen was black and the puter was quiet. I thought maybe it was restarting to finish the install and left it awhile LONGER. Nothing happened.
Finally i restarted the puter using the power button. It began its boot up going thru the first couple of screens. But when the log-on screen should come up, the screen suddenly goes black and then the screen about an improper start up comes up offering to do start up repair or continue with a normal start up. I have tried the repair option several times and sometimes it offers a restore (i have tried to restore to every restore point offered) and have tried running a few diagnostics from the advances options offered. The restores do nothing different and all the diagnostic options come back normal or operational.
When i choose then normal start up, it goes thru the first couple screens (offering the options to enter bios etc, then to a screen showing only a bar that shows start up progress), then goes black, with a cursor in the upper left corner then beeps (all normal) then goes black again and the back light turns off and the puter goes quiet. the next screen should be the log-in and it never comes up. All the backlit buttons remain on, the power shows on, and the fan is on, but nothing is happening. If i leave it long enough, it will go thru a restart and it just endlessly goes thru a restart process until i hit the power and shut it off.
So, any ideas? lol or am i gonna be shucking out some bucks.

The puter is a laptop, HP Pavilion DV9000, Intel core DUO, vista 32 bit, video card already listed.
Plz let me know if you need any other info, ill see what i can get.
Any help is much appreciated.
Thank you.Does it boot up in safe mode?Hp laptops are quite tricky. I've had that similar issue with that same model range.
It can be fixed by rolling back the GRAPHIC card drivers
or if its still in warranty you can call hp up to see if they can replace that for you

if not.. it might be time to shell out a few bucks on a new model.. Help! I am having the same issues on my lap top. I dont know what it could be. Not a gamer at all. Did you ever get it fixed?

I have a four years old assembled PC which has
(1) Intel Desktop Board D915GVWB
(2) P IV processor
(3) DD R 1GB RAM
(4) 80 GB Hard Disk

Now i want to upgrade my Hard Disk...........

(1) Up to what extend my board will support?
(2) Would i Parallel FITTED one more 80GB Hard Disk?

PLZ any technical solution?You should be fine up to about 500GB.
Most of these boards are quite compatible with modern day stuff.
Just chuck in a 320gb.thanks a lotDid you look at the manual for that motherboard?
http://download.intel.com/support/motherboards/desktop/d915gvwb/sb/c8817601_en.pdf

Quote from: souvik on July 27, 2009, 01:48:11 AM

(2) Would i Parallel fitted one more 80GB Hard Disk?

Okay I forgot my password on my Gateway. So I took the HARD drive out and placed it in my Compaq. I did this by just plugging the Gateway hard drive in line with my Compaq. I am able to access shared files however I can't get into the owner file. The computer say there is an error. Please help. Try This...Tryed that with no luck. Funnything is when I put the CURSOR over the file it SAYS the file is empty. How when I click it it says access denied. Hummmm. Is there any to locate my password? The teck at Gateway said no chance,If it's a BIOS password he's PROBABLY CORRECT....
Best of Luck to you.

Greetings,

I have been given a GATEWAY case with a defective MB or CPU. I had this bright idea to build a new computer... salvaging what I can from the unit (supposedly the DVD burner, DVD rom, flopppy, sound card etc are in working order). Before I shell out the bucks for a new motherboard and PSU, I FIGURE I should try to find out if a non-gateway MB will bolt up to a gateway case. I've heard that some of the manufacturers are notorious for making their MB's and PSU's proprietary to their cases. Anybody out there know if I can use aftermarket parts on a Gateway case?
It's an mATX form factor. Thank you in advance for your consideration. Any ATX form factor MBoard will FIT in there...
What were you considering ? ?Thanx for the reply. The case I mentioned is one of the shorter cases. and dimensionally I believe it to be mATX. I'm just worried about the screw holes lining up. WHat I'd really like to get my hands on is a MB/CPU combo that has a big INTEL P4 processor. But all the deals out there seem to be trying to push the old dual core. ANd that scares me, cuz that CPU became OBSOLETE way too fast. What I want is preferrably a ASUS board with a P4 3.4Ghz processor for under $150, but if i have to I'll want a 2 core duo. I have really only just started the search. I like games, and Im gonna build something that can play. But I'm not a freak about it, and I am trying to save a buck.

At some TIME or other, I have replaced everthing in a computer...except a MB. I thought it might be fun to build one and had this perfectly good case. Travel to your local PC repair shop and borrow both an ATX and mini ATX dead MBoard and try them on for size...
Those are the only 2 popular sizes although there are others.

I recently formatted Windows XP on my Dell Dimension 3000 after taking out the HDD and copying its contents to another computer. The formatted computer had been running fine for 1-2 weeks afterwards. My dad was on the computer today checking his email when he said some black horizontal lines started moving across the screen for about 15 seconds before the computer shut off. Ever since, the computer will turn on for anywhere from 3-60 seconds, then shuts off without ever loading Windows. The green lights on the front of the computer turn on and at least one fan runs, but the computer doesn't make much noise other than that. How do I know for sure if it's the PSU or MOTHERBOARD or what?First, check you monitor cable , then eliminate your monitor.....hook up another monitor and see what happens.

If you have a video card, remove it and RESEAT it.

Is your heatsink firmly seated on the processor and flush to the motherboard......

Reseat memory.

Swap in a known good PSU of equal or higher wattage.

Please post the PCs' specs as well...
Here is your documentation ....

http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim3000/en/SM/adtshoot.htm#wp1043338I tried a different monitor and cables, no change. The heatsink is firmly against the motherboard. The video card feels firmly connected, but I can still try to reseat it.

My network lights indicate memory failure. I tried reseating both CARDS, then using one at a time. With one memory card, the network lights indicate memory failure again, but using the other alone only powers up the computer for a split second with only the "C" network LIGHT glowing green (A, B, D are off), then turns off. From this, is it safe to assume my RAM is the problem, or should I continue checking the video card and PSU?Rule #1 is to never assume.

I find it strange your memory went bad. Maybe run Memtest on it to be sure....the power supply could be making the memory look bad......Broni or Patio .......your experience please......It's probably the PSU; recently had a Dimension 3000 do exactly the same thing; found the 3.3V output was dead. You can test the outputs of the PSU.

http://wiki.xtronics.com/index.php/ATX_Pinout
or
http://www.hardwarebook.info/ATX_Power_Supply

Remove AC line cord.
Remove all connections to mobo and drives.
Connect pin 14 to any ground of the connector (13 or 15 are good).
Connect AC line cord.
Test for voltages
I would agree that it sounds like your power supplyNot coincidentally, my brother has an identical Dell. I just switched in his PSU and the formerly messed-up computer started normally. Thanks for the advice everybody. Now to order a new PSU...Just out of curiousity, anyone know where to get the cheapest but reliable replacement? Never shopped for a new PSU before. Any tips?newegg

Background...
We have Gateway Tablet running XP.
I have spoke with a couple computer repair shops and they SEEMED to think the computer wasn't worth fixing. The first problems arose with malware and viruses. Then somehow my ATI graphics driver was deleted but I managed to reinstall it. Now the laptop screen stays black while I can hear that the computer is running. One IT person had me hook it up to a monitor to see what if anything it was doing. From that I can tell it starts running a scan disk then it starts to load windows but stops and starts scan disk again and repeats this in a loop.


So I replaced the computer but I need some files that I hadn't gotten around to backing up I did a search and found this comment "Another solution is get a 2.5" external hard drive case and pop that old hdd in there, hook up via USB and you're good-to-go" from ale52. I'm wondering if this is a good option for me and what exactly is a hard drive case?

Any other options would be welcomed! One quote I have on recovering these files is $85 and I would love to come in far under that if at all possible.

TIA

Kristinkfletcher, Welcome to the CH forums. Yes that can be a good WAY to go. This is what they look like and is also apparently a good SOURCE to deal with. truenorth
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/category/category_slc.asp?CatId=2781&name=2.5Dunno whether it relates to your problem but I had a similar problem when I used Driver Detective and accidentally deleted my Chipset Drivers.The PC would continually start up and shut down but nothing on the screen.I found a guy in the local paper and he sorted it out for £30.I think he said he COULD RETAIN the files on the disk but I had backed everything up so I wasn't bothered.

8 Bucks...
2.5" laptop to IDE converter...