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General Chat => Help! => Topic started by: Adrian Bamforth on 31 October, 2005, 03:34:42 PM

Title: PC Down
Post by: Adrian Bamforth on 31 October, 2005, 03:34:42 PM
Hi all, can anyone help? My PC has gone tits up, a virus I think. Windows (XP) won't start up because of a corrupt file in the Systems 32 folder.

The manuafacturer Tiny has closed down.

I have disks for Windows 95.98 but I'm told it will wipe the hard drive if I install them.

Since XP was pre-installed I don't have an XP CD though I have the Tiny systems driver/software library and factory reset CD (is that the same thing?) but it doesn't finish the instalation.

Had a PX fixer-upper tell me I need an operating system disk (though he can't supply one), and otherwise was a bit vague. Noone seems to have a copy of XP, not sure how the key/code system works, whwther I can use someone elses or whether it would wipe the hard drive. Have work to do, what's my best bet?

Debate over whether PCs or Macs are best not really very helpful at this juncture.

Cheers,

ADE
Title: Re: PC Down
Post by: Funt Solo on 31 October, 2005, 03:42:55 PM
It may be the case (wishful thinking, here) that you just need to replace that corrupt file.

Can you start the computer in safe mode?  (Even if you can't do much in safe mode, you should have file access - although you won't have internet, CD-burn capabilities et al.  If it was a case of rescuing files, I think you'd be stuck with floppy access, but I'm no expert on PC rescue.)

Perhaps contacting Microsoft (if you're running a bought XP) for assistance would be beneficial.

Title: Re: PC Down
Post by: Adrian Bamforth on 31 October, 2005, 03:52:38 PM
A long shot I think but if you remind me how to start it in safe mode I can give it a try, good thinking.

XP came on the computer so not really a bought XP.

ADE
Title: Re: PC Down
Post by: Steve Green on 31 October, 2005, 03:57:36 PM
F8 When booting lets you access safe mode, is there anything like a key code on the Tiny documentation for the XP install (it'll probably say OEM on it somewhere)

- Steve
Title: Re: PC Down
Post by: Banners on 31 October, 2005, 04:13:15 PM
A lot of the manufacturers don't send CDs now due to piracy, which is crazy in these situations. But don't worry, an OEM licence is all nice and legal - it just means you don't have the disc.

If you can get one from somewhere - and you have your CD-key (as Steve suggests it's usually a shiny green thing attached to the manual they send) - you should be fine to reinstall.

A reinstall only affects the Windows files - so all your "My Documents" folders and apps should be fine.

As has been suggested, try to get in via Safe Mode first though and have a poke around, including at the Event Viewer. But after that, it's unlikely to be as simple as replacing a simple file, however. -sigh-

M@
Title: Re: PC Down
Post by: Adrian Bamforth on 31 October, 2005, 04:44:24 PM
What's an OEM licence? I think the PC call-out guy wasn't allowed to reinstall XP with a disk of his.

How many people will actually have an XP disk? Most people it seems like me come with it already installed I think, I guess it would have to be someone who had an old Windows and decided to pay for the new version?

ADE
Title: Re: PC Down
Post by: skull.ring on 31 October, 2005, 05:16:44 PM
Hi ADE,

XP comes with a Restore Point tool that should enable you to get your PC working again without having to worry about a full reinstall /entering the license key etc. by going back to a point in time before the problem occurred.

This feature can also be accessed whilst in safe mode, but you'll have to search the microsoft knowledge base for the relevant "How to" article.

Cheers

Mark
Title: Re: PC Down
Post by: Banners on 31 October, 2005, 05:28:21 PM
In my experience, XP's restore points are pretty unreliable. You shouldn't count on them instead of a proper backup routine.

M@
Title: Re: PC Down
Post by: Steve Green on 31 October, 2005, 06:13:20 PM
OEM is the version of the software that gets bundled with the hardware, i.e. a new PC.

- Steve
Title: Re: PC Down
Post by: Adrian Bamforth on 31 October, 2005, 06:19:24 PM
If it comes to it should I take it I can buy XP new for ?80, reinstall it and my work would be safe?
Title: Re: PC Down
Post by: Funt Solo on 31 October, 2005, 06:46:15 PM
Of course, if you had a Mac...*KER-BLAM!*

Seriously, though - if you are part of an academic institution (well, I don't know, do I?) then it may be that you're a member of the MSDNAA (Academic Alliance) and can get such software for free.

Or maybe you know someone who is a student of an academic institution that can ... (and so on).

Title: Re: PC Down
Post by: Banners on 31 October, 2005, 06:47:23 PM
If possible, take out your hard drive and hook it up to a second PC as a 'slave', thus bypassing Windows. Then copy your data over that way.

It's hard to give authoritative advice over the messageboard!

M@
Title: Re: PC Down
Post by: WoD on 31 October, 2005, 07:53:55 PM
Adrian, try the safe-mode option first and if it works then system restore (then go and back up your data).  If not, m@'s idea is great, and the slave thing is not too hard to do.
Title: Re: PC Down
Post by: Noisybast on 31 October, 2005, 08:00:40 PM
What's the name of the file you're missing, Ade?
Title: Re: PC Down
Post by: Adrian Bamforth on 09 November, 2005, 05:19:58 PM
Thanks for the advice all, I found the problem was just a worn-out hard drive and have replaced it without too much trauma (so my work probably couldn't have been saved anyway).

I'm now starting from scratch, which is good in terms of the computer now being far faster, though the next problem is the newly-installed Windows XP now fails to detect the (internal) modem and the (USB) scanner, though it does detect the (USB) digital camera and printer.

I have tried starting the computer with the scanner plugged in and visa-versa, and getting the computer to search for both using Add New Hardware in the control panel. Also have a CD with the scanner (Visioneer) though it seems to be just free programs.

Should I look in the BIOS, if so how do I do that?

Learning curve...

ADE
Title: Re: PC Down
Post by: WoD on 09 November, 2005, 05:31:31 PM
You got the drivers for the modem, etc. Ade?
Title: Re: PC Down
Post by: Banners on 09 November, 2005, 05:32:10 PM
You can access the Bios by pressing a key whilst the system boots - usually "Del" I think? You should see a quick glimpse of the options when you first get the old black-and-white MS-DOS screen.

M@
Title: Re: PC Down
Post by: Funt Solo on 09 November, 2005, 05:38:46 PM
I had a USB webcam that only worked on Win98 and is just a useless lump of hi-tech plastic as far as XP is concerned.
Title: Re: PC Down
Post by: Adrian Bamforth on 09 November, 2005, 06:16:13 PM
"You got the drivers for the modem, etc. Ade?"

Well I don't remember having one on CD when I first got the computer, as I say it's built-in rather than external.

The scanner should work with the PC since it's the same one I used with XP before the crash (though before I used Home edition, now I have Professional, might this be why it's not detected things?)

ADE
Title: Re: PC Down
Post by: Noisybast on 09 November, 2005, 11:27:27 PM
It's highly unlikely you'll find anything to do with your peripheral devices in the BIOS. I'd leave well alone if you're not sure.

I'd say your scanner problems are probably going to be caused by one of two things:

1. The scanner's not XP compatible.
   Mine's not. That's why I'm still using Win2K.
Or
2. Was the scanner left connected while you installed XP?
Some USB devices refuse to work at all if they're installed that way. It's something to do with the way Windows sets them up at install.
Best way is to install XP first, then connect any USB devices. XP will then detect 'em for you.
Title: Re: PC Down
Post by: Steve Green on 09 November, 2005, 11:59:18 PM
If you still have problems getting them to work, find out the make of the stroppy devices and google for XP drivers for them. What are the make/model of the modem and scanner?

Occasionally you may get devices which won't auto-install but will work if you get hold of the drivers yourself and install them manually.

Of course it is possible that they never got XP drivers written for them as Noisybast has said.

- Steve
Title: Re: PC Down
Post by: Adrian Bamforth on 10 November, 2005, 04:49:08 PM
Thanks, I've finally got my scanner working, I found the drivers on the scanner CD when I explored it (running it just lets you install some programs).

Think some way some the modem must hace stopped working when I opened the machine to put the hard drive in and blew the dust off, so I'm getting a new modem since it's quite cheap.

Hopefully this'll all pay off by learning how it all works in side.

Cheers,

ADE
Title: Re: PC Down
Post by: Steve Green on 10 November, 2005, 05:21:13 PM
Cool, glad you're nearly up and running again.

- Steve
Title: Re: PC Down
Post by: Adrian Bamforth on 12 November, 2005, 08:05:20 AM
Nearly there, got a new modem and I'm back online. Jyust one niggling thing though, whenever I plug my modem in (into an splitter plug), all the phones in my house for some reason let off a long ring tone - what's that all about?

ADE
Title: Re: PC Down
Post by: Noisybast on 13 November, 2005, 03:12:24 PM
That'll be the poltergeists that live in the modem. Just shout into the mic and they'll behave.
Title: Re: PC Down
Post by: WoD on 13 November, 2005, 04:43:51 PM
I was thinking Ade is possessed, or at least his PC is.
Title: Re: PC Down
Post by: Quirkafleeg on 13 November, 2005, 06:07:34 PM
If I pull my internet connection from the phone socket (while it's still live) instead of disconnecting it via my pc when I reconnect the phone it'll occasionally ring a couple of times. It's a ghost.