anybody know computers? help!

[_paralyzed_]

I've been on bedrest for the last 2 months, and using a friends laptop. I tried to turn on my desktop today and it wouldn't boot. I ran the system restore cd's and it says software is missing or corrupt. I haven't used it in 2 months and the dsl cable has been hooked to the laptop, the last use worked fine. It's a 6 year old e-machines, windows xp. Is it at all worth getting repaired? Is there anything I can do? I barely have money for r/c's, this is no good! Thank you for any help or knowledge, I'm at my wits end.

[BrianG]

XP seems to be picky about memory. Try reseating/cleaning the memory modules. Maybe even run memtest86 (software runs off a floppy that heavily tests all memory locations).

Could be a bad harddrive too. Try running chkdsk on it (with the /F option) and note any errors. If you have the option to enable SMART in BIOS, do so as it will help spot potential problems before they become critical.

Those are the only things I can think of off the top of my head without seeing it in person.

[sikeston34m]

Take a deep breath and tell me what it does.

Are you getting the blue error message screen that tell you that?

If so, then you are getting as far as the Bios at least. Do the cd rom lights blink on startup? Can you tell if the hard drive is running?

You first have to determine where it's hanging up at. Then proceed from there.

It could be something as simple as a loose plug not making good connection. I would check those just to be sure.

[t-maxxracer32]

if you need a new hardrive i have PLENTY. just pay shipping and i can git it to you whenever =)

[_paralyzed_]

thanks everyone, I'm in bed and can't get at it tonight but when I get up tomorrow I'll be able to tell you exactly what it's doing, please check back, I knew someone here could help

[MTBikerTim]

I'm sure some one here can help you. Make sure when you get an error to tell us exactly what the error message says. Write it down if you have too. If you are getting the error message I think you are it sounds like a software or HDD (hard disk) issue. My first question is with this sort of issue is do you have anything on your HDD that you really want to keep?

[BrianG]

I think it sounds like more of a hardware issie since he's getting an odd error when trying to use the recovery disc.

If you are getting a BSOD (blue screen of death), chances are it flashes too fast for you to write anything down. If/when you get your system running, you might want to shut off automatic reboot so you can write the information down. It may help for future troubles. From Microsoft:
1. Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.
2. Click the Advanced tab.
3. Under Startup and Recovery, click Settings to open the Startup and Recovery dialog box.
4. Clear the Automatically restart check box, and click OK the necessary number of times.
5. Restart your computer for the settings to take effect.

[_paralyzed_]

now I've got nothing, a blank screen when it turns on, and I need to unplug it to turn it off. If I put in the restore cd it will run it, but unsuccessfully. I've never been inside a computer case and wouldn't know what I was looking at if I opened it. I'm going to have to bring it somewhere. Is it worth the cost of diagnosis and repair? Its only 256ram 1.4ghz 60gbhd, I'm thinking I could probably upgrade for what I would fix it for, but I have no idea and it worked fine for e-baying and talking here, which is all I do on a computer. Thanks again for any advice

[Arct1k]

I build my own PC's so would give it a go if you havd the skill or if you a local friend to look at it - If not then it might be junk if you are not even getting to the bios post screen it is going to take some daignosis. Could be anything from MB to dust in a connection on one of the boards...

Sadly 256 ram is nothing these days - My graphics card alone has three times that...

A basic new PC solid that would work for browsing and documents etc isn't going to cost more than $500 provided you only need the box.

Thats my 2c

[_paralyzed_]

I guess I might as well pull it apart and clean all connections, I can't make it any worse.

[Arct1k]

Take the air compressor to the psu and interals and while you are in there take the volt meter to the PSU in case that is the culprit...

[Arct1k]

How did turn out?