Computer Hope

Other => Other => Topic started by: 1arrow on August 07, 2007, 08:16:57 PM

Title: XP mystery - experts needed
Post by: 1arrow on August 07, 2007, 08:16:57 PM

Lovely to see so many helpers out there!

We have a problem start up...

XP operating system

1.Goobly-gook wording on the start up screen, missing letters and ocassional heavy vertical lines... some winging type symbols in text lines... some letters arrive slowly to fill in the missing spaces...

2. Options to safe mode etc (will start in safe mode)

3. When starting windows in 'normal', it crashes to grey screen after the windows icon picture.

We are on the third new hard disk... second network card... new power supply, new hard disk cooling case, new tower case, and an ever shortening fuse with the 'expert company' that is trying to fix the problems... and wish we would dissapear...they have "never seen anything like it before", but I'm sure someone here has. 

Any ideas out there other than a new machine? :)

Title: Re: XP mystery - experts needed
Post by: Zylstra on August 07, 2007, 08:21:25 PM

It could be a physical problem with the motherboard/CPU/RAM

Download and burn Memtest86 http://memtest86.com/

Now, you say that you replaced the HDD:
Does it contain the exact same content (documents, files, etc) as the first one?
If so, it could be a virus that you keep copying.

While in safemode, go to:
Start> Accessories> System Tools> "System Restore"
Restore to the data before the issue started happening.

Title: Re: XP mystery - experts needed
Post by: 1arrow on August 07, 2007, 10:43:11 PM

Thanks Zylstra,

mmm, tried the last known good "sys restore" settings without any success, some time ago.  The new HHD was freshly loaded (but did they?) so the immediate virus suggestion is out (but a good idea of yours).  I will try the mem test and let you know. 

Great site.

Title: Re: XP mystery - experts needed
Post by: patio on August 07, 2007, 10:46:09 PM

Do you happen to have your own XP CD if needed ? ?

Title: Re: XP mystery - experts needed
Post by: 1arrow on August 08, 2007, 01:23:45 AM

Hi Patio,

I love the Dune series DVD's a lot more than I love the XP disk we have!  Your icon is lovely.

I think you may be hinting at a reload oh great gray sand mouse.... hate to go there to the great place in the sky called Reload...  that means taking on not only the computer but a cranky partner! Too spicy for me.

Thanks for your thought

fading rapidly...Now 1/2 arrow

Title: Re: XP mystery - experts needed
Post by: 1arrow on August 15, 2007, 11:38:41 PM

For all those who have read the above... thanks...

The problem turned out to be the video card.... now that is interesting hey...
all is well, but now it appears that the attached audio is incompatible.  Live and learn.

1 arrow

Title: Re: XP mystery - experts needed
Post by: patio on August 18, 2007, 09:59:15 AM

Glad to hear you solved it...an add on sound card is always an option.