View Full Version : Can any of you computer boffins help me? (part 2)
We have two PC's at work, both knackered one takes about three attempts to boot up and the other keeps crashing and I don't think either of them are working anywhere near their optimum. We're based in Kennington by Waterloo, is there anyone out there who would be willing to pop in sometime next week and give them a good going over. We will pay cash or if you want to cut out the middle man we can just give you beer.
Matov who I work with, lives in Coulsdon so it may be possible for him to drop them off to you on his way home one evening if you can't get to town.
Cheers
BTW this obviously rules Dave out as payment in beer would bankrupt the company.
Dodgy Ken
18-12-2000, 05:53 PM
At what point does the system fail? What error messages do you get? Does it always fail? When did the problems start? Was new soft/hardware added at this point?
Coles
18-12-2000, 06:29 PM
Have you introduced any fluids into the machine?
Samo*
18-12-2000, 06:34 PM
Reboot
When you say it takes a couple of times to reboot does it fail on bootup of the OS if so have you addded any SCSI devices recently..It might be a idea to remove and reinstall the OS and upgrade to win2000
One of the PC's boots up to a blue screen with no bar at the bottom and a frozen cusor and will finaly work after about two or three reboots.
Second one just needs a new video card fitted but I'm not sure where it goes as the one that's bust is built in the motherboard.
They both run quite slowly.
Probably all quite simple things but you have to understand that I work in property and therefore these sorts of things are beyond me.
Dodgy Ken
18-12-2000, 07:10 PM
If you have a new video card for the second one then it wont take that long time to complete, although I am not volunteering my time till post crimbo. As for the first one then it could be anumber of things.
Are you saying that there is noone in your office that can deal with this? As for both being slow, then it may be that the machines are old/full/badly configured, with only the first one requiring an expensive solution
Dodger
18-12-2000, 07:27 PM
Originally posted by TAK:
One of the PC's boots up to a blue screen with no bar at the bottom and a frozen cusor and will finaly work after about two or three reboots.
Oh dear the blue screen of death... sounds like the hard drive is knackered.
Dodgy Ken
18-12-2000, 07:32 PM
Highly unlikely!!!
The blue screen is often caused by a software error, or a hardware conflict. If your harddisk fails, you get a nice crunching sound, and the realisation that unless you back up regularly then you are totally ****ed!!!
[This message has been edited by Dodgy Ken (edited 18 December 2000).]
Don't laugh but how do I back it up?
David Murray
18-12-2000, 08:18 PM
What software or version of windows are you running TAK ? Your hard drive won't be knackered but it could be on its way out, so a back up is a definate (remember I lost my drive in October and I've never done a BU in my life - it's very very painful.
It's also possible that you have a bunch of garbage on the machine and a cleanup is in order now (Scan disk and a possible defragmentation). Empty your dustbin regularly and get rid of your cookies, these are the things that take up a bunch of space after a couple of years and tend to slow the machine down aswell).
Don't go upgrading your software until your problems have been solved otherwise you will run the risk of only taking them with you.
There is a good chance that there is a software or hardware conflict which is causing the system to hang. Agree with DK, the installation of a new card is a piece of cake that even you or Matt could be talked thru http://www.cpfc.org/ubb/wink.gif
David Murray
19-12-2000, 04:26 AM
Bit of a long way to come TAK - but as no-one else has volunteered to help, trying posting a couple of the problems and will see what I can do to help remote.
wombat
19-12-2000, 04:45 AM
A little bit vague?
Kevin T
19-12-2000, 01:04 PM
Sorry, am I being thick here? The machine is booting up straight to a blue screen? Are we talking Scandisk here? What does it actually have on the screen? This could also be a manufacturer's splash screen meaning the thing could be really screwed. More info? Or I'll talk to you tonight Tariq.
wombat
19-12-2000, 01:07 PM
Originally posted by Kevin T:
Sorry, am I being thick here? .
I wouldn't be too surprised
http://www.cpfc.org/ubb/biggrin.gif
Kevin T
19-12-2000, 01:09 PM
20c9
I know - my head is a little fuzzy this morning. Can't think why....
I take it you are using NT4 and the blue screen is the HAL kickin of.
wombat
19-12-2000, 01:36 PM
Is it not a little early to talk of Hardware Abstraction Layers?
you will need
Windows CD
Device Driver Software
Plenty of time
First, delete any unwanted files from the PC's and remove any unused programs <add/remove programs in control panel>
Second, Re-install Windows, this should fix any corrupt/damaged files and restore missing ones.
Third, When Windows has re-installed you may have to restore device drivers, use <add/remove hardware in control panel>
Fourth, When you are finished and every thing has restored. run Scandisk and re-boot
Fifth, Run Defrag.. to do this use you must
a. turn off screensaver or any powersaving options
b. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del and end all tasks except explorer, then run defrag and LEAVE it until it is done.
When you have done all of this you PC should be much more stable! if not. Backup. Format C:, and start from scratch http://www.cpfc.org/ubb/smile.gif
------------------
GMS
http://www.garnercom.net
Kevin T
19-12-2000, 01:47 PM
Originally posted by RH1:
I take it you are using NT4 and the blue screen is the HAL kickin of.
This crossed my mind, but I doubt it very much. I can't see what TAK or Mat would be using NT Workstation.
Cheers GMS, not only does that sound sensible but I can actually understand what you mean.
If the tins have CD roms then a complete reinstall of windows after formatting will do the trick.
Anyway this all strikes me as a bit rich. You are ESTATE AGENTS after all. Why can't you just dig into the oodles of cash you cream off every day.
New PC £599
Pissing off Estate agents priceless
David Murray
19-12-2000, 02:23 PM
ROFL - I think they are saving their pennies up to buy a brewery
Tak- why not leave it until when you get back from your luxury holiday in the sun this Christmas?
Kevin T
19-12-2000, 02:28 PM
Don't listen to him TAK - Computers cost much more than that and if you touch them yourself, all manner of things could go wrong. Getting someone in will cost almost as much as the PC itself. Lukilly for you, I'm a mate, and I reckon I could get everything up and running for you for about 400 notes. Now I can't say fairer than that can I? http://www.cpfc.org/ubb/wink.gif
We average about two PC's a year, it's about time we got one fixed rather than just chuck it away.
As for £ 400.00 Kevin...
...so much for mates.
Jaffa
19-12-2000, 05:39 PM
Actually think this could be a problem with the memory inside the machine, the blue screen issue.
Could try swapping a DIMM to see if this resolves the issue.
As for your video card question, have you purchased a AGP video card, because if you have, and the current graphics are onboard, then you will not have a suitable slot.
Try exchanging it in this instance.
Bud Eagle
19-12-2000, 06:53 PM
Originally posted by TAK:
We average about two PC's a year
What on earth are you doing to them?
Kevin T
19-12-2000, 07:01 PM
Originally posted by Jaffa:
Actually think this could be a problem with the memory inside the machine, the blue screen issue.
Could try swapping a DIMM to see if this resolves the issue.
As for your video card question, have you purchased a AGP video card, because if you have, and the current graphics are onboard, then you will not have a suitable slot.
Try exchanging it in this instance.
You don't work on a helpdesk do you? How can you base all that on the small piece of info you have about the problem?
Dodger
19-12-2000, 07:04 PM
Originally posted by TAK:
We average about two PC's a year, it's about time we got one fixed rather than just chuck it away.
You need to stop shopping at Tiny!
David Murray
20-12-2000, 03:49 PM
Now I'm totally confused, why did I think they were old PC's - if they are only a year old - back to the shop with them mate !
So, did Uncle Kevin have a word last night about it or not? I think he should get his buns over to you and fix it !
David Murray
20-12-2000, 06:43 PM
Originally posted by Kevin T:
I don't think I'll be taking a spare fan with me though.
You might want to take a few spare quid with you though, I can just imagine how that trip is going to turn out.
arussell
20-12-2000, 09:45 PM
Originally posted by Dodger:
Originally posted by TAK:
You need to stop shopping at Tiny!
Definitely ! - and especially after knowing which team they sponsor http://www.cpfc.org/ubb/wink.gif
Jaffa
20-12-2000, 09:51 PM
A thread full of co-incidences. Kevin T, I used to work in a helpdesk before I joined Uni. My suggestion is merely that, Ive seen it in the past and so its an educated guess.
And guess where I worked?
Wink.
topper
21-12-2000, 04:04 AM
I don't wanna tred on anyones toes, has anyone tried looking to see if the processor fan is working correctly. I have worked in the IT industry for around six years and this is quite a common problem. What you could also check is the enviroment that the pc is sitting, in this i mean, are the pcs buried under **** loads of files and paper..this is also conducive to general poor performance.
24e
Kevin T
21-12-2000, 04:29 AM
Sorry, but I've never heard such utter rubbish in my entire life.
I did speak to Tak last night, but sadly this was after the game and I haven't got a clue what we discussed. I'll go and sort it for him and report back on what I did. I don't think I'll be taking a spare fan with me though.
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