Computer woes

Alright, here goes. For the last couple of days I've been having trouble with Windows startup. The desktop shows up fine but, basically, I can do fuck all as the whole thing kinda jams.

However, I'm currently on Ubuntu Live, running off a CD, and can browse all folders with no problem. I tried the Windows repair thing but it didn't find anything wrong. Done virus and spyware scans as well, came up clean. Is it a hardware failure? Please help before I smash this thing into bits

I have had a similar problem in the past. Can you run a Scandisk on your primary hardrive (likely c:) and see if you have any bad sectors. What happened to me is a core part of Windows was corrupted on a bad sector of my hard drive. I reinstalled Windows, imaged the new hard drive image, replaced the hard drive, and had the image moved onto the new hard drive.

I also backed up all my files after installing windows again just in case I failed massively on the hard drive transplant.

Actually, the system has thrown a few warnings at me that the hard drive is about to fail... I suppose I've now got some corrupt data messing things up. I'll try to do a scan and see if anything shows up.

There's no way I'm gonna go through the Vista reinstall/update hell again so will likely change the OS if I have to buy a new drive. In fact, I've been thinking of doing a system upgrade... Anyone got any recommendations, preferrably affordable?

Based on what you just said it sounds like a bad sector for sure.

As far as new, not sure what the differences are in Europe but the Dell Alien series laptops are good. The base models are superb. I run rFactor with max everything and it runs nicely. The base Alien desktops are about the same price.

The scan didn't find anything but the computer works fine now. I daren't reboot anymore

Jukka Maattanen wrote:

The scan didn't find anything but the computer works fine now. I daren't reboot anymore

Have you checked for any loose connections inside the case

Bah, back to normal today. I'll buy myself a laptop so I can browse the web etc. May invest in a new gaming PC later if I bother.

For the price you'd put in a laptop, you'd get a much better central unit

Guillaume Siebert wrote:

For the price you'd put in a laptop, you'd get a much better central unit

I Agree. Laptop is evil.

Or better, an apple.

I ordered new parts today, should probably arrive in a week or two. Mind you, will try assembling the thing myself so may never be seen again.

What components did you order ? If its a new gfx card or RAM its easy to install

Well in fact even the CPU is pretty easy to install, the only thing is that you must not be afraid of breaking it
Seriously, it's not a big deal

Jukka it's easy once you've done it you won't ever look back

Gui, everything except the graphics card and DVD drive

Been spending the evening putting the new machine together. I'm so confused with all the different slots, PCIe 2 vs. 3 and SATA stuff etc.

There are plenty of tutorials around the web if you need

Mainly the PCIe and SATA backwards/forwards compatibility is what delays me at the moment. Otherwise it's been quite fun assembling the thing. Will finish tomorrow and hope for the best when I finally hit the power switch

Not a trace of smoke or sparks

Nice