Author Topic: Computer Problems  (Read 10119 times)

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Offline Sidoh

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Computer Problems
« on: April 27, 2005, 06:10:09 pm »
Hey Everyone,

Lately, my computer's been acting very strangely. Yesterday, I left my computer for about 10 minutes and came back to a Blue Screen. I thought little of it (since it happens sometimes) and restarted my computer. The start process took a VERY long time (about 10-15 minutes). When it got past the Windows XP loading screen, my display went black for 9-14 minutes (or there-abouts). After this, it came up to the Blue Screen and I was forced to restart again. I tried the Windows XP Repair function, did the same thing.

I backed up everything and did a complete format/reinstall (I even burned a fresh copy of the CD). The boot sequence still takes forever, but when I'm able to get to the login screen. That "locks up" for another 5 minutes or so, and then my computer operates normally.

Any ideas on whats wrong/what to do? My first guess is a Hard Drive issue, but I'm hoping that's not the case since I just replaced the disk a few months ago.

Thanks in advance.

Offline rabbit

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Re: Computer Problems
« Reply #1 on: April 27, 2005, 06:24:12 pm »
Check all the wires inside to make sure they're all connected and in the right place.  Something like this happened when some cables inside prevented the CPU fan from spinning (a tell-tale sign of that is the smell of burning rubber).

If that checks out, beat the damn thing with a hammer, mail it to iago, get mail insurance, and collect.  Bam.

Offline Sidoh

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Re: Computer Problems
« Reply #2 on: April 27, 2005, 06:28:05 pm »
Lmao. You should be the Dr. Phill of tech. :)

Offline Newby

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Re: Computer Problems
« Reply #3 on: April 27, 2005, 06:28:40 pm »
I'd try swapping out the disk and seeing if that works. It could be.

But do what Rabbit said and make sure all the hardware is connected.

Windows has a habit of blue screening / shutting down if something goes wrong with the hardware (the latter happens to me) instead of telling you what is wrong.

If all else fails, get in contact with Microshit..err..Microsoft, and ask them what the issue is.
- Newby
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Quote
[17:32:45] * xar sets mode: -oooooooooo algorithm ban chris cipher newby stdio TehUser tnarongi|away vursed warz
[17:32:54] * xar sets mode: +o newby
[17:32:58] <xar> new rule
[17:33:02] <xar> me and newby rule all

I'd bet that you're currently bloated like a water ballon on a hot summer's day.

That analogy doesn't even make sense.  Why would a water balloon be especially bloated on a hot summer's day? For your sake, I hope there wasn't too much logic testing on your LSAT. 

Offline iago

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Re: Computer Problems
« Reply #4 on: April 27, 2005, 07:05:54 pm »
Try booting up Linux (off a live cd or something) and run dmesg.  That might tell you if there's some catastrophic hardware failure.

Offline GameSnake

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Re: Computer Problems
« Reply #5 on: April 27, 2005, 08:18:51 pm »
I have an idea simmiliar to iago's only better: boot linux then use it.
Problem solved, close thread now! :P

Offline Krazed

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Re: Computer Problems
« Reply #6 on: April 27, 2005, 08:47:57 pm »
I have an idea simmiliar to iago's only better: boot linux then use it.
Problem solved, close thread now! :P

You forgot slackware, but anyway.. I used to have problems booting up and it ALWAYS went into a blue screen, format usually worked.
It is good to be good, but it is better to be lucky.

Offline iago

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Re: Computer Problems
« Reply #7 on: April 27, 2005, 10:26:21 pm »
I have an idea simmiliar to iago's only better: boot linux then use it.
Problem solved, close thread now! :P

You forgot slackware, but anyway.. I used to have problems booting up and it ALWAYS went into a blue screen, format usually worked.

He said that he formatted, so that didn't work.  That means it has to be something physical.

Offline Newby

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Re: Computer Problems
« Reply #8 on: April 27, 2005, 10:27:04 pm »
Hmm. I did 'dmesg' and got a bunch of ethernet problems. :(
- Newby
http://www.x86labs.org

Quote
[17:32:45] * xar sets mode: -oooooooooo algorithm ban chris cipher newby stdio TehUser tnarongi|away vursed warz
[17:32:54] * xar sets mode: +o newby
[17:32:58] <xar> new rule
[17:33:02] <xar> me and newby rule all

I'd bet that you're currently bloated like a water ballon on a hot summer's day.

That analogy doesn't even make sense.  Why would a water balloon be especially bloated on a hot summer's day? For your sake, I hope there wasn't too much logic testing on your LSAT. 

Offline Warrior

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Re: Computer Problems
« Reply #9 on: April 27, 2005, 11:01:41 pm »
Slackware has a pink screen of LIFE. That's what iago loves so much about it.
One must ask oneself: "do I will trolling to become a universal law?" And then when one realizes "yes, I do will it to be such," one feels completely justified.
-- from Groundwork for the Metaphysics of Trolling

Offline Sidoh

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Re: Computer Problems
« Reply #10 on: April 27, 2005, 11:37:27 pm »
Yeah, its pretty much certainly a hardware problem.

I'll check the connections next time I'm forced to shutdown / restart (I don't want to since it takes 15 minutes). :(

I just got a $200 Check from Science Service, maybe I'll buy a few new drives...

As for using Linux, I can't. I'm a WoW addict, remember? :)

Offline iago

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Re: Computer Problems
« Reply #11 on: April 28, 2005, 12:26:30 am »
Yeah, its pretty much certainly a hardware problem.

I'll check the connections next time I'm forced to shutdown / restart (I don't want to since it takes 15 minutes). :(

I just got a $200 Check from Science Service, maybe I'll buy a few new drives...

As for using Linux, I can't. I'm a WoW addict, remember? :)

I didn't say to use it, just to boot it.  That's why I suggested a live cd (Knoppix, for instance).  It just might help you diagnose your problem.

Offline GameSnake

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Re: Computer Problems
« Reply #12 on: April 28, 2005, 06:30:20 am »
Yeah and obviously I was just kidding, no one really uses Linux, no way!

Offline Sidoh

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Re: Computer Problems
« Reply #13 on: April 28, 2005, 05:58:19 pm »
That was more of a joke too. :P

Anyway - thanks for the help guys. I've pretty much decided its a bad drive. I'm going to borrow a friend's SATA drive and test it on this computer. If it does the same thing, I'm SOL (I'm hoping it doesn't). If it doesn't, I'll just order new drives. I'm thinking 3 80GB's in a RAID5 configuration is what I'd go with.

Update: It took THIRTY minutes for my computer to boot up last time it went down (stupid power surge). Additionally, it came up to three consecutive (yet different) blue screens. Two were something along the lines of bad/corrupt driver. The only thing I caught on the other one was "File that caused this error: NTFS.sys"

Thanks for your suggestions, everyone. iago, I have slackware CD's. Do I need to get a utility from another location or does it come with the slackware distro?

Again: Thanks.

Offline iago

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Re: Computer Problems
« Reply #14 on: April 28, 2005, 06:24:45 pm »
If you boot off Slackware disk 2, you should be able to run dmesg.