Help! My pc crashed by hughff

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

Help! My pc crashed

POSTED BY: HUGHFF
UPDATED: Thursday, February 19, 2009 05:57
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VIEWED: 4068
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Monday, February 16, 2009 10:09 AM

Big time. Yesterday.

FF jr started it up when he got home, flicked on a "mod" for Freelancer, started the game and the pc shut down and restarted itself. Now, it goes to the xp start up screen, flashes a blue screen with lots of writing that is up for a fraction of a second so I can't read a word, then shuts down and restarts.

Any ideas what I can do....

www.cpfc.org - my life

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Monday, February 16, 2009 10:29 AM

PHOENIXROSE

You think you know--what's to come, what you are. You haven't even begun.

Sounds like it could be a worm. Call tech support, they talked me through getting rid of a worm a few years back.

[/sig]

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Monday, February 16, 2009 10:33 AM

MSA

Sorry my only suggestion is...get a mac

To love someone is to see a miracle invisible to others.
--Francois Mauriac
It's fuzzy-minded liberal thinking like that that gets you eaten.

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Monday, February 16, 2009 10:37 AM

PHOENIXROSE

You think you know--what's to come, what you are. You haven't even begun.

Quote:
Originally posted by MsA:
get a mac

Well yes, that would be a good solution for the long-term

[/sig]

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Monday, February 16, 2009 11:07 AM

CITIZEN

Try booting into safe mode, hit F8 while the machine comes up. If it loads, uninstall all recent software, and try to revert your settings.

Run the XP recovery console. If that doesn't work, and you have the full disc, re-install windows.

Then go to www.linuxmint.com/, and install a real operating system.

More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes!
No one can see their reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see.

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Monday, February 16, 2009 11:14 AM

KIRKULES

If you can get it to boot in safe mode you might want to try running a scan with your anti-virus software also.

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Monday, February 16, 2009 11:29 AM

HUGHFF

won't boot in safe mode, nor with last known good settings - tried that last night

www.cpfc.org - my life

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Monday, February 16, 2009 11:34 AM

BRIGLAD

I got hit like that about six months ago when some malicious code in a banner ad over at Fanfiction.net hit me. Took three passes from two different anti-virus programs to kill the infection.

I also suggest you use Firefox or Opera for a browser (I use Firefox) instead of Internet Explorer. 90% of the viruses and worms are targeted to use IE's interface with windows.

Brian

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Monday, February 16, 2009 11:35 AM

CITIZEN

Quote:
Originally posted by hughff:
won't boot in safe mode, nor with last known good settings - tried that last night

Have you got the windows XP disc?

More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes!
No one can see their reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see.

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Monday, February 16, 2009 11:42 AM

HUGHFF

Quote:
Originally posted by citizen:

Have you got the windows XP disc?

Yeah. Are you suggesting I re-install xp?

www.cpfc.org - my life

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Monday, February 16, 2009 11:50 AM

CITIZEN

Quote:
Originally posted by hughff:
Yeah. Are you suggesting I re-install xp?

Not at first. Try running recovery console, if that doesn't work then reinstalling is going to be the best thing you can do. If it's that shagged that you can't even get into safe mode, then its just going to be quicker and easier to reinstall.

More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes!
No one can see their reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see.

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Monday, February 16, 2009 12:23 PM

RALLEM

You should maybe load your windows xp cd into your cd drive then boot your computer. Your computer while in the boot window will ask you if you want to boot your computer from the disk, press enter to say yes and then you’ll be asked if you want to repair windows. I believe here you will press enter to go by this step and then you’ll be asked if you want to load a new copy of windows. Follow the computer’s instructions to say yes to this option and then press F8 to agree to their EULA. From there you’ll be afforded an opportunity to repair windows without losing any of your data, and it should take about a half an hour to finish. This won’t remove a worm if you have one loaded on your computer and from here you will have to hunt it down. I cannot help you here, but the worm will be loaded in a few places so it will be difficult to remove. You won’t want to repair your windows too much because each time it will compromise your kernel a little.

http://www.swyzzlestyx.com/index.html

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Monday, February 16, 2009 12:27 PM

HUGHFF

cheers

looks like I've got a project tonight

www.cpfc.org - my life

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Monday, February 16, 2009 5:22 PM

TRAVELER

You may lose any personal files. You may want to discuss this with an expert first.

http://www.imdb.com/mymovies/list?l=28764731
Traveler

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Monday, February 16, 2009 5:35 PM

NCBROWNCOAT

I'd go ahead and do a complete reinstall of your system. It's the only way to make sure that you have gotten rid of what ever has gotten into your system.

Also, always backup your personal stuff to a USB drive, CD's, DVD's, external hard drive etc.

Try to do it at least once a month. And if you can, put a copy in a safe place, safe deposit box, mail to Mom, take to work etc. Any place away from your house.

Personally I use an online backup service (pretty cheap when you think about it). I've lost too many pictures, music and other things to viruses, hard drive crashes etc.

http://fireflyfaninnc.livejournal.com/

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Monday, February 16, 2009 6:26 PM

HUGHFF

recovery didn't work and when I tried to re-install it basically said there were no partitions, the disk was "not recognised." Am I correct in assuming that my hard drive has carked it, gone to a better place, shuffled off this mortal coil and sucked the kumara?

www.cpfc.org - my life

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Monday, February 16, 2009 7:17 PM

TRAVELER

I would get an expert opinion about your hard drive. It may need to be rebuilt from the ground up and that may mean something needs to be done before you install Windows. Just a guess on my part, but no sense buying a new one till your absolutely sure this one is not ruined. If it was a virus or a worm, then that should not have physically damaged your hard drive. It may only need an overhaul.

http://www.imdb.com/mymovies/list?l=28764731
Traveler

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Monday, February 16, 2009 7:24 PM

PHOENIXROSE

You think you know--what's to come, what you are. You haven't even begun.

Definitely get a Mac. Rebuilding the whole computer seems like an expensive solution to a problem that could recur. If your drive has run down the curtain and you'll lose everything on the computer anyway... Well.

[/sig]

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Monday, February 16, 2009 7:30 PM

JEWELSTAITEFAN

I don't have solution to your boot problem, but noticed 2 things you can do.

You said you cannot read the script on the blue screen before it goes away. You can record it and playback later. There are many kinds of adapters to convert VGA video to RCA video signal. These days, even the cheapest LCD screen monitor/TV has VGA input, and also RCA output (for recording). Connect your computer tot he VGA, and a recording device (VHS is fine), and start recording, then boot up. after recording the message scripts, play back the recording. Some software can freeze frame and print out the image from your recording device.
A recording will also show how many seconds each message was displayed, showing where the script went and for how long - can pinpoint what the problem is in some cases.

The other thing is to recover your data before messing with the o/s platform, which most "computer gurus" will not tell you to do.
connect your crashed hard drive to another computer, as a secondary drive. If you do not have another computer around, and wish to us a firends, then you can take out your hard drive, and take along the ribbon cable from the HDD to the motherboard. I'm lazy so I usualy just park the 2 computers next to each other and run the ribbon cable from one computer to the other. If you unplugged the power plug (smaller, like 4 or 5 pin plug), then plug in any of those power connectors to your hard drive so it has power. And plug in the ribbon cable, best to plug into the second slot of the mohterboard - usually right next to the ribbon cable of the hard drive of that computer. The boot up that other computer.
Now you should be able to fully access your hard drive from that comouter, because it is not using your boot sector - it should be the D: or E: of F: drive for that computer now.
First you can copy the entire contents of the HDD - either straight to the C: drive of the other computer (make a folder such as "copy of IFruit 16Feb09"), or to a dvd or CD-rom, or to a USB device like jump drive - or all of the above.
You can also use the scanware, antiviral ware from the net or from the other computer to check and work on whatever is on your affected hard drive.

Your copied files will retain any and all data that you have saved on your computer, so you'll have it afterwardsw, even if somebody decides to reformat your C; Drive. Maybe your problems will be resolved after this activity. You can then proceed on your own to repair or restore your drive, or have an "expert" work on it. But once you delete the data, recovery is much harder and tricky.

Good luck.
Stay away from IE. I use Opera, saves many headaches.
Use a real operating system, like that linuxmint posted above, or ubuntu.
Cannot recommend Apple, unless you know nothing about computers and have gobs of cash.

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Monday, February 16, 2009 7:43 PM

JRNYFAN

I am assuming by everything you have said that this is not a pre-built rig, i.e. Dell, HP etc. which leads me to believe that since you can not install as the disk is not recognized, you might be working off of a disk that only has SP1 on it and not SP2 and you are working with SATA hard drives.

If, when your machines POSTS, you see that your drives are recognized just fine by the BIOS but not Windows then you will need the SATA drivers. If this is the case, you need to find your SATA drivers that should have come on a floppy disk with your motherboard. When you boot up Windows the first time, it says "Press F6 if you need to install a third party SCSI or RAID driver...." this is where you will press F6 and follow the directions to install such drivers off the floppy. You can also solve this problem by getting a WinXP disc with SP2 on it which eliminates the need to have the drivers in the first place.

A new hard drive will run you ~$50 for 250GB but first try installing off of a SP2 disc or installing your SATA Drivers. If the harddrive isn't recognized in your BIOS then its probably gone and you might want to borrow a harddrive from someone to make sure because for all you know, your northbridge went out from overheating or a billion other problems. Solve the HDD in the BIOS issue first, then move onto SP2 then onto other problems if you need.

Good luck.

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Tuesday, February 17, 2009 10:57 PM

HUGHFF

I've got the original drive working again - thanks for the help. I think it's time I bought an upgrade anyway.

www.cpfc.org - my life

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Wednesday, February 18, 2009 2:28 AM

FILLYGIRL

Operative: "Its worse than you know..." Mal: "It usually is."

I work in IT, I have for 25 years, you could still have a worm or a virus. Take it to an expert, let him clean it and reboot. I don't have to tell you, if you miss the virus/worm all the work you do is for nothing.
My bro had this and it cost $100 to clean it up and he saved all the data too. Good luck!

Chaplain of the 76th Independant Battalion

Do not bother dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!

...it's worse than you know...Operative
...it usually is.....Mal

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Wednesday, February 18, 2009 6:38 AM

RALLEM

You should definitely take your computer to an IT specialist to clean your computer.

http://www.swyzzlestyx.com/index.html

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Wednesday, February 18, 2009 10:26 AM

JACKCOLT

Sigh... you'd really be better off taking something like this to a real tech forum. I'm afraid you are getting a lot of "bad" advice here (no offense to you people - you are trying to help and that is good)

First off, the blue screen with a lot of text on it is called a Blue Screen of Death. It contains VITAL information about what happened. For some reason Microsoft thinks it's a brilliant idea to automatically restart when it occurs. First thing you want to do is disable that(control panel -> system -> advanced -> startup and recovery -> uncheck the automatic restart box. If you can't boot windows, press F8 during POST) should let you disable it.

People talk about virus & worms... yeah, it might be the case, but it's unlikely. Software corruption caused by faulty hardware is much more likely to be the cause. It can of course also be caused by your average windows "fuck-up" which happens for numerous reason(data not properly saved, botched updates, faulty device drivers and so on)

You said there were no partitions? Then it can be corruption in your File Table on the Hard drive. That can be caused by faulty hard drive, motherboard and RAM or windows error. You've said you've reinstalled it works so far -> That leads me to believe it's a windows related error. Unless it fails again within some time(talking about days here) there is no reason to believe it's a hardware error. If it does the exact same thing, it's definately a hardware error, and if it does some other thing that is fatal it is also likely to be a hardware error (faulty RAM and/or Motherboard can be VERY random errors)

Now, if the file tables has indeed been deleted, then there is no way a virus can be executed. Further more you must have had to format it, while will result in a virus/worm to be gone. Thus absolutely no reason to pay an expert money to run a simple virus scan for you.

So in conclusion, till nothing else happens you can assume it was a software error which is more than often caused by something else than a virus/worm (I've hard my computer randomly reboot on me, which means no blue screen to go on from. Turns out it was a botched .NET framework update)

Now for debunking some of the advice you've gotten:

Get a Mac: Not a solution. Besides, what do you want with a machine that can't do anything? :P

Install SATA Drivers : Shouldn't be a problem if you configure your motherboard to NOT use AHCI. Definately not the cause of your problems.

Virus/Worms: Okay, yes, it can be the cause of it. In my opinion it's unlikely, but not impossible. Either way, by having to format your computer and by it appearing to have it's file table, you definately don't have any virus/worm on your computer.

Finally if it happens again, you can take it to a specialist so he can run tests on your hardware with special equipment. You could also do some memory tests yourself, but they take a long time and aren't always as precise as a specialists equipment.

Finally this wasn't to offend anyone on their advice. This is of course all my opinion based on my knowledge and experience. Also, this is probably full of errors along with missing words, but I'm too lazy to proof read it ;)

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Wednesday, February 18, 2009 10:55 PM

JEWELSTAITEFAN

General rule of thumb summary: If you have microshaft operating system, you have faulty software. Whether it is detected or obvious, that depends on the situation or application.
When errors occur while using a microshaft operating system, NEVER assume you have a hardware problem.

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Thursday, February 19, 2009 1:38 AM

CITIZEN

Quote:
Originally posted by jewelstaitefan:
General rule of thumb summary: If you have microshaft operating system, you have faulty software. Whether it is detected or obvious, that depends on the situation or application.
When errors occur while using a microshaft operating system, NEVER assume you have a hardware problem.

Yeah, the operating system for instance. But most MS errors often track back to a hardware failure somewhere along the line, it's just that often they're caused, or exasperated by the piece of shit non-fault tolerant OS.

More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes!
No one can see their reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see.

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Thursday, February 19, 2009 3:22 AM

RALLEM

I worked at Dartmouth College where the vast majority of personal computers were Macs, and they are ok, but they are in my opinion over priced and do they crash from time to time like a PC. The reason PCs receive a bad reputation besides Microsoft releasing product too early, is that PCs are the vast majority of computers in the public and for that reason among others related most virus and worm writers target their malicious code towards them.

http://www.swyzzlestyx.com/index.html

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Thursday, February 19, 2009 5:57 AM

CITIZEN

Quote:
Originally posted by rallem:
I worked at Dartmouth College where the vast majority of personal computers were Macs, and they are ok, but they are in my opinion over priced and do they crash from time to time like a PC. The reason PCs receive a bad reputation besides Microsoft releasing product too early, is that PCs are the vast majority of computers in the public and for that reason among others related most virus and worm writers target their malicious code towards them.

There is that. Plus Apple dictates what hardware, drivers and to some degree user software can be used on a Mac, meaning the OS developers can eliminate conflicts long before the platform is released. PC platforms can be constructed from an infinite combination of hardware, drivers and software, making any PC OS harder to tune.

More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes!
No one can see their reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see.

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