Computer Problem

[piratediverjefff]

As of Thursday,i've been getting the blue screen every time i got on.Would have to hard boot and go through all kinds of crap to get back on,then 5 minutes later i'd get the blue screen again and have to start over.Have gone through every F8 option(restore,etc.)and was(probably still will)going to chuck it in the garbage this morning and go get a new one.My last move was to put it in Safe mode and so far i've been on here for an hour with no problems.It's an old system i bought about 6 years ago(Dell Dimension 9100)and over the years have had it constantly upgraded(paid $2,000 for this old dinosaur back then and at least another $1,000 over the years just to keep it going).My go to guy said it's more than likely just wearing out,possibly a mother board or something(and i'm sure i picked up a virus lately)and since new ones are so cheap now just to toss it and go get a new one(i don't game or anything so don't need anything too fancy).Since it appears to be fine now(as long as it's in Safe mode)i'll probably run it 'til the wheels fall off,was just wondering if any of you guys had any ideas about straightening this one back out before i have to spend my mods. stash and go buy a new one?

 

[Skywalker]

If she runs stable in safe mode then most likely a software issue like a corrupt driver or dll file or something of that nature. I would back up my files and they should already be backed up if you have any critical files. Use the factory restore feature and put her back as new like the day you bought her. Enjoy the speed again and go from there. Also, open it up while you are at it and hold all the fans if you have good air pressure like from the garage and blow it out real good. Don't spin the fans as you will spin a bearing thus hold them by some method. This is not to much time to do and you will see for yourself if this is a dieing computer of not. I'm quite sure that you do not have hardware problems or the safe mode would not be working for you either.

 

[SoCal Blur]

The next time it blue screens write down the error code and then Google it (the next time your PC is working again). It will point you in the right direction to see if it is a hardware or software problem. It's a good possibility that the Hard Drive is starting to go... It will corrupt important windows files and cause a blue screen. Usually when the motherboard goes, the computer will just not boot.

 

[piratediverjefff]

Thanks bros,will fiddle with it again next time it acts up(tried the Restore several times,going back a week or more and said successfully completed,etc. but would still get the blue screen after a few minutes).For now have left it in Safe mode and it's been fine for several hours,but don't have any speaker volume for some reason(have gone into the control panel and shows volume all the way down but won't let me turn it back up,won't respond at all).Oh well,at least for now i can come on here and keep in touch(harass)with all you yayhoos.

 

[lavinrac]

Ok im going chime in here.... Being that it is windows and you can at least get into safe mode and the issue doesnt seem to arise this leads me to believe it is a software error when loading certain drivers or system files. This can be due to a multitude of reason that I wont really get into here.. Since you are in safe mode you can do a reboot and forced filesystem check this can be done with the following command:

chkdsk c: /f /r

You can run the by going to start -> run and typing it in then hitting enter. You can then reboot the box and it will force a check when it comes back up. This will check the NTFS system to make sure everything looks good on the filesystem. I would like to point out that this will not always correct system entries or corrupted system files as windows is just mean like that. but luckily you can open a command prompt and run the following:

start -> run -> cmd -> enter

once command prompt is open type in

sfc /SCANNOW

This will force the computer to go through an entire system file check and will attempt to repair any damaged system files. Of course this may resolve nothing depending on the actual stop error you are getting. To get the computer to stop automatically rebooting after a bsod(STOP error) you can do the following:

start -> (right click) mycomputer -> properties -> select advanced tab -> click settings -> uncheck the box that states automatic restart.

This way when the computer crashes to the BSOD you will have time to read it and you can get the actual stop error something along the lines of 0x000000f4 (0x08e00???) or whatever is written there. Sometimes depending on the error if it is a single file causing the issue you will see stop on error: FILENAME with the stop error code underneath it. If it has the filename your in luck those are super easy to fix.. just replace the file with another one or reinstall the software/driver that file is apart of.

Hope this helps.

Joseph Marble
Lavinrac

 

[piratediverjefff]

Ok im going chime in here.... Being that it is windows and you can at least get into safe mode and the issue doesnt seem to arise this leads me to believe it is a software error when loading certain drivers or system files. This can be due to a multitude of reason that I wont really get into here.. Since you are in safe mode you can do a reboot and forced filesystem check this can be done with the following command:

chkdsk c: /f /r

You can run the by going to start -> run and typing it in then hitting enter. You can then reboot the box and it will force a check when it comes back up. This will check the NTFS system to make sure everything looks good on the filesystem. I would like to point out that this will not always correct system entries or corrupted system files as windows is just mean like that. but luckily you can open a command prompt and run the following:

start -> run -> cmd -> enter

once command prompt is open type in

sfc /SCANNOW

This will force the computer to go through an entire system file check and will attempt to repair any damaged system files. Of course this may resolve nothing depending on the actual stop error you are getting. To get the computer to stop automatically rebooting after a bsod(STOP error) you can do the following:

start -> (right click) mycomputer -> properties -> select advanced tab -> click settings -> uncheck the box that states automatic restart.

This way when the computer crashes to the BSOD you will have time to read it and you can get the actual stop error something along the lines of 0x000000f4 (0x08e00???) or whatever is written there. Sometimes depending on the error if it is a single file causing the issue you will see stop on error: FILENAME with the stop error code underneath it. If it has the filename your in luck those are super easy to fix.. just replace the file with another one or reinstall the software/driver that file is apart of.

Hope this helps.

Joseph Marble
Lavinrac

Thanks Joe,i've seen something like that stop error code,etc. at the bottom of the blue page.If i get brave enough i'll go through the steps you mentioned...and if not my computer guy will be by later today or tomorrow to have a look and i'll have him try it.

Thanks again bro!

 

[Strife]

Have you cleaned it out with an "Air Duster" recently?

 

[captain]

Take a few minutes and follow these steps...

1. Go to this URL and download this ISO Drivers and Downloads | Dell [United States]
2. Burn that ISO to a disc
3. Boot your laptop to the disc and run the diagnostics the laptop. Choose the full test.

This disc will test every function on your computer, memory, harddrive, Processors, video, all the way up to cycles on the proc...... If nothing is found they you can with great confidence say that the problem is software...

Cap...

 

[piratediverjefff]

Thanks again for all the tips/solutions guys,soon as my friend makes it out here i'll have him go through all the steps(i'm too much of a coward,as long as i can get on here in the Safe mode for right now i'm leavin' well enough alone).

 

[dadofthree]

Jeff this always fixes PC problems Apple - Mac

 

[piratediverjefff]

Jeff this always fixes PC problems Apple - Mac

Girlfriend's daughter has one and is really nice,everything contained in the monitor and from what i hear virtually virus free(pretty sure i picked mine up from checkin' out some porn...looks like i was the one who got screwed).

(Mac not in the budget right now dad,if i had your money i'd throw mine[money]away,and throw this PC away...though you could adopt me and put me on a generous allowance,i'll be the 58 year old son you never wanted)

 

[lavinrac]

Take a few minutes and follow these steps...

1. Go to this URL and download this ISO Drivers and Downloads | Dell [United States]
2. Burn that ISO to a disc
3. Boot your laptop to the disc and run the diagnostics the laptop. Choose the full test.

This disc will test every function on your computer, memory, harddrive, Processors, video, all the way up to cycles on the proc...... If nothing is found they you can with great confidence say that the problem is software...

Cap...

good call Cap 2 thumbs up on that one also.. Dell Diags are awesome for hardware testing.

 

[05 Busa LE]

That's what is great about this site ... a wealth of information. Make sure you keep us updated.

 

[piratediverjefff]

That's what is great about this site ... a wealth of information. Make sure you keep us updated.

I agree,and will definitely let you know what it was.

 

[newman]

When my computer started playing up I pushed everything in, memory, graphics card etc, in case it had come loose and that fixed it.

 

[piratediverjefff]

Chucked it in the garbage and bought a new one about an hour ago(just got it going).Seems like it'll be ok,it's a Dell Inspiron 620 with 6 GB memory and 1 TB hard drive,will take me a bit to get it configured back to my old settings but i'll get it figured out.Good to be back,missed you guys(man,i sound needy...have only been gone since Sat. evening).

 

[05 Busa LE]

After 6 years, you were probably due for some new technology. Sounds like a powerful machine, so good luck!

 

[piratediverjefff]

So far/so good,still have a few things to sort out.

 

[2Wheels2Live]

Thanks bros,will fiddle with it again next time it acts up(tried the Restore several times,going back a week or more and said successfully completed,etc. but would still get the blue screen after a few minutes).For now have left it in Safe mode and it's been fine for several hours,but don't have any speaker volume for some reason(have gone into the control panel and shows volume all the way down but won't let me turn it back up,won't respond at all).Oh well,at least for now i can come on here and keep in touch(harass)with all you yayhoos.

System restore isn't much good at fixing issues, as you've found out, and can often cause more. I would recommend saving everything important and re-installing windows, you're guaranteed a like new operating pc unless you truly do have a hardware problem. After enough years in service almost any machine will start to act up, especially if its had lots of things installed/uninstalled, and if it hasn't had regular maintainence, like clearing the cache, disk clean-up, defragging, and regular virus and adware/tracking cookies scanning. A re-install will tell you whether or not you have a hardware issue, and make your machine run faster and cleaner than ever. Like someone else mentioned, if its working in safe mode its a software/driver/corrupt windows file issue. Its quite often quicker and easier to do a re-install, rather then waste time and frustration trying to chase down a pc ghost software issue, especially on a well used set of windows.
You HAVE been backing up important stuff for a time like this right?

I just read you got a new machine, you might have thrown a perfectly good one away
At least you're back up and posting

 

[RedBull]

Jeff this always
fixes PC problems
Apple - Mac *

Still attempting to get the old man into the 21st century ~ he does not want any part of this social media network *