Hi All, I'm new to this group and 2

[helplesss]

Hi All,
I'm new to this group and not terribly knowledgeable in technical matters. I recently had a comupter built for me by a local dealer: Pentium 4, 2GHz, 512MB RAM, Maxtor 6y060L0 hard drive, CD ROM, Pioneer DVD-RW (DVD 105)Raedon 7000 video card, Creative Audigy2 audio processor, Operating System: Windows XP Home Edition. At first, the computer would crash and would not restart. The dealer first replaced the sound card, then the video card, and finally the motherboard. After three service visits, I started having other problems. All my Microsoft Office (XP Pro) applications stop responding. I reloaded Windows XP and Office and downloaded all the Microsoft updates, but nothing helped. Now I get an error message "runtime error" when I'm online. The dealer refuses to honor the warranty because he says these are software problems and the warranty only covers hardware. A friend told me I should reformat my hard drive to resolve these problems. What should I do?

 

[Grunt2002]

Hello,

Your description of the problems is a bit short.
Would you tell us exactly whet steps your system does compelete without crashing (boot, login, internet dial-up, starting applications...), and then when it does crash.

Anyway, it is very likely your reseller is right : your problems seem software-related.

Cheers,

Grunt

 

[Grenage]

With all these components swapped out, is this still the original installation you are using?

Personally I would format the machine and start again, see how it runs.

 

[paparazi]

Well he is correct, over 95% of problems are software related and have nothing to do with hardware.
Essentially you have purchased a box of bits and this it what is gauranteed.
If you show willing, by formatting, clean installing with mainboard drivers and still you have the problems I am sure he will then be happy to look into the problem.
Unfortunately the onus has to be on the user to first elliminate possible software problems, thats just the way it is.
If a customer brings a PC to us, we warn them if the problem turns out to be software related that they will be charged for our time, the supplier cannot be expected to put the users faults write free off charge, they have enough problems diagnosing and fixing legitimate hardware break downs.
The only thing is there is this grey area of how do you know
if you have a software or hardware problem and this is where you help out by giving them a clean baseline to start from with a clean install.
M<artin

Replying helps further our knowledge, without comment leaves us wondering.

 

[helplesss]

Thanks for your replies. Yes, this is the original windows XP installation. Problems: Excel-Screen goes completely black for 2 seconds after program is opened, then the taskbar changes color (looks like safe mode). Allows entry of one row of data (formulas all work) then freezes and program must be ended. Word-Works OK until you try to print, then ususally freezes. Access-Allows opening of file, then immediately freezes. PowerPoint, Publisher and MS Photo Editor-Won't even allow opening of file. As soon as you click on &quot;FILE&quot; programs freeze. Internet Explorer-Usually works OK, but sometimes page loads are slow and I get a runtime error message. I should also mention that I added a SCSI card so I could run an old scanner that doesn't have a USB port. Other peripherals include an external zip drive, and midi keyboard. I am also using Sibelius music notation software, version 1.1. Any further help with my situation would be greatly appreciated. I am afraid that if I try to reformat my hard drive I may lose some of my drivers (that were downloaded from internet sites) and that I won't be able to properly reinstall others, so I'll need all the detailed help I can get. Thanks again.

 

[Grenage]

Okay, thats not a problem.

Double check which components are in your machine via the list your system builder gave you (or failing that download aida32 from

http://www.aida32.org

and run it, it will tell you what is in your machine).

Now using this list download any driver you might need and store them away.

Your computer does sound in a bit of a state and in need of a good clean.

 

[MaxEd]

The other problem could be the MSblast.worm. that's causing some of the run time problems. So hopefull you've got the machine patched with the latest microsoft patches. Highly recommend you visit the windows

http://www.windowdowsupdate.com.

-Laughter works miracles.

 

[ceh4702]

It might be a good idea to invest in some Virus Scanning Software like Mccafee, Norton, etc. Where you purchased your computer, they should be able to sell you this software at a convenient OEM Computer Manufacturer Rate. Of course you still have to update the latest version of the virus definition files to keep it up to date at least once a month.

You could definitely have a virus. There have been a few floating around. The Maxblast and SoBig virus's have both been circulating. Maxblast caused shutdowns after showing a message; Often with a timer. Even if you completely reinstalled windows that will not prevent a virus from attacking. Because you would still have to update your system with windows update before it was safe again. This darn Maxblast virus is a Worm. You do not have to open any files to get it. As soon as you finished the installation and went to the internet, you could get it again. It is very persistent. SoBig is some kind of an Email Virus. I think it tries to email itself to others.

Check out the Windows Update site. You can get there through the Internet Explorer Tools Menu.

If you do not like my post feel free to point out your opinion or my errors.

 

[helplesss]

Thanks much for your replies. Can anyone outline a safe procedure for reformatting a hard drive with Windows XP home edition? Thanks.

 

[AZiegler]

Set the bios to boot from cd first, put the Windows XP cd in and restart the pc.

During the installation you'll have the option to format the hard drive using NTFS. Select that one (not quick format) and thats all.

Just make sure you back up all your important files before doing so.

 

[zib]

I guess all your problems would get solved after running a original/latest version of antivirus software! All you need to do is invest!

 

[jsevilla]

a good &quot;clean&quot; install would involve debugging your hard drive using the debug command.you can dl a bootable disk with the debug command at

http://www.bootdisk.com.i

can email you the debug script in full if you want.j_sevilla@lycos.com.also,i would suggest you disconnect all external devices before starting to reinstall your os.only kb,mouse and monitor (or speaker) should be left attached.

 

[artharjar]

has no one in this business ever heard of running a good old hardware test on a machine. everyone keeps talking about wiping things out and swapping this and that wich is all fine a good but my personal rule of thumb is after about five minutes if it still won't work run a hardware test on the thing. it takes some time but you just let it sit for a bit and see the results. well worth the effort.