Major Computer malfunction - Please Help - Page 2

DreadPirateRoberts · 07-24-2006, 10:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motorboat Cruiser

Nope, sure don't. What else might I try? Should I try the windows disks and see if there is anything to repair software-wise?

Maybe until one of the computer wizards answers, let it cool off, see if it works better at a cooler temp.

Motorboat Cruiser · 07-24-2006, 10:03 PM

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it. DPR

And thanks BTD and CP. All input appreciated!

Alex · 07-24-2006, 10:34 PM

Can you give us the exact error at failure? Including any codes or apparent gobbledygook?

And what kind of computer are you posting from?

DisneyFan25863 · 07-24-2006, 10:38 PM

Download a copy of Knoppix Linux (http://www.knoppix.org/) and burn it onto a CD. Its like a operating system contained on a single CD rather than your hard drive. Then, pop this into the computer and boot it up (you may need to press F8 or F12 as you boot up to select the CD drive). If it loads, then you know its not a hardware problem.

If it boots up, then you probably have a problem with your windows installation. Try putting in your Windows installation disk and run the recovery option. If that doesn't work, you will have to reinstall windows.

Motorboat Cruiser · 07-24-2006, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

Can you give us the exact error at failure? Including any codes or apparent gobbledygook?

And what kind of computer are you posting from?

Quote:

We apologize for the inconvenience but Windows did not start successfully. A recent software or hardware change may have caused this.

If you your computer stopped responding, restarted unexpectedly or was automatically shut down to protect your files;choose "last known good configuration" to revert to the most recent settings that worked.

If a previous startup attempt was interrupted, due to a power failure or because the power or reset button was pressed, or if you aren't sure what caused the problem; choose "start windows normally".

SAFE MODE
SAFE MODE WITH NETWORKING
SAFE MODE WITH COMMAND PROMPT

START WITH LAST KNOWN GOOD CONFIGURATION

START WINDOWS NORMALLY

No Gobbldegook was present.

One thing I'm seeing that I didn't notice before (but maybe because it just flew by) is that after the RAM test, it says

"Operating in single channel dynamic paging mode"

Is there anything unusual or incorrect about that?

I'm posting from a 1.2 Gig Athelon w/ Windows 2k.

Disneyfan,

I'll download it but unfortunately I don't have a CD burner in the computer I'm posting from. If it will fit on my USB drive, can I boot from there? I think I saw that option under the BIOS.

Motorboat Cruiser · 07-24-2006, 11:08 PM

Eh, too big a file (700MB) for my 512MB drive.

Alex · 07-24-2006, 11:33 PM

If it is a hardware failure and I had to guess, you might have fried your video card. It is right at the start-up for windows that this really kicks in. Your video card would have been running very hot from Sims (especially if it is older and underpowered) and it can produce this error. Just for clarification, you never see a blue screen of death, even for the briefest of moments before it crashes?

Do you have a separate video card or it it an onboard motherboard card?

Alex · 07-24-2006, 11:34 PM

Does your computer beep when it first starts up and during the BIOS check? If so, can you describe the beeps you get and what BIOS your computer has?

Motorboat Cruiser · 07-25-2006, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

Just for clarification, you never see a blue screen of death, even for the briefest of moments before it crashes?

Nope, no blue screen at all.

Quote:

Do you have a separate video card or it it an onboard motherboard card?

Seperate ATI Radion 9000 series w/ 128MB

Motorboat Cruiser · 07-25-2006, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

Does your computer beep when it first starts up and during the BIOS check? If so, can you describe the beeps you get and what BIOS your computer has?

I get one beep after the RAM check and before it starts windows.

BIOS Ver. RL86510A.86A.0085.P19

07-24-2006, 10:03 PM	#12
Motorboat Cruiser Cruiser of Motorboats Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: So Cal Posts: 3,665	Thanks for the info, I appreciate it. DPR And thanks BTD and CP. All input appreciated!
	Submit to Quotes

07-24-2006, 10:34 PM	#13
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Can you give us the exact error at failure? Including any codes or apparent gobbledygook? And what kind of computer are you posting from?
	Submit to Quotes

07-24-2006, 10:38 PM	#14
DisneyFan25863 Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Stevenson Ranch, CA Posts: 464	Download a copy of Knoppix Linux (http://www.knoppix.org/) and burn it onto a CD. Its like a operating system contained on a single CD rather than your hard drive. Then, pop this into the computer and boot it up (you may need to press F8 or F12 as you boot up to select the CD drive). If it loads, then you know its not a hardware problem. If it boots up, then you probably have a problem with your windows installation. Try putting in your Windows installation disk and run the recovery option. If that doesn't work, you will have to reinstall windows.
	Submit to Quotes

07-24-2006, 11:08 PM	#16
Motorboat Cruiser Cruiser of Motorboats Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: So Cal Posts: 3,665	Eh, too big a file (700MB) for my 512MB drive.
	Submit to Quotes

07-24-2006, 11:33 PM	#17
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	If it is a hardware failure and I had to guess, you might have fried your video card. It is right at the start-up for windows that this really kicks in. Your video card would have been running very hot from Sims (especially if it is older and underpowered) and it can produce this error. Just for clarification, you never see a blue screen of death, even for the briefest of moments before it crashes? Do you have a separate video card or it it an onboard motherboard card?
	Submit to Quotes

07-24-2006, 11:34 PM	#18
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Does your computer beep when it first starts up and during the BIOS check? If so, can you describe the beeps you get and what BIOS your computer has?
	Submit to Quotes