Computer Problem - Help and Advice Needed Urgently!
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Thank you all... But the installation of ATI Driver was a suggestion provided and I took it up. So the problem took place before the installation of ATI Driver. I realise now that I should not shut down my PC. If I restart straight away, that's fine. But if I shut it down for quite a while, and try to start it up, then I would have that problem...Originally posted by M©+square:Since it is not evil virus or external components.
Then I might have recalled correctly that i've met with this problem before.
It leaves us to
1) HDD (Old/Super undefragmented)
2) Driver incompatability
3) CPU overheat or Fan stop
If you believe that the problem arised after you've installed the ATI driver. Then I'd suggest that you do a [system restore] to your last point when you haven't installed the driver.
Or
CPU/system recovery
Or delete thru MS Prompt(ask MS Dos expert).
Driver clashes are difficult to mend simply because it affects your OS.
It affects Registry and messes up Windows.
It is tormenting to sit before the screen and wait endlessly for your OS to start.
My personal solution is
Use Ext HDD to boot up. (Primary HDD)
Extract personal data from C:\ (internal HDD)
Format C:\ and install OS.
Transfer personal Data back to C:\ internal HDD.
I have tried the system restoration.. It didn't help even though I went back months..
And thanks.. I know one solution is to do a clean system recovery.. which involves cleaning up the whole of HD and restoring the PC to the state when it was first purchased... I am leaving this option as the last resort.. I wouldn't want to take up this option and realise I still have the problem, you see? Anyway, yes.. I have already back up my documents in an external HD drive.
Well, any more advice and suggestions before I totally clean the stomach of my PC system?
Anyway.. thank you all for all the wonderful possible advice and suggestions.. Very grateful..
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I think her current hard disk is just approaching the end of its life span lar. Just get a new harddisk.
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Computer cannot locate OS?
The BIOS is working perfectly. A way to see if the hard-disk is damaged can be to check its presence in the BIOS setup utility if the problem occurs again.
If NOT present in the IDE drives list, then it means that the hard-disk connection is broken, or there is no power provided to the hard-disk or the IDE Controller is damaged (part of mobo damaged, possibly Northbridge chip)
If the hard disk works in another location, it means that your motherboard is damaged; if it doesn't replace the hard-disk.
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If it is present, it means that your Windows installation is most likely corrupt, OR you have a virus. Some real-harm viruses disallow access to Windows unless they are loaded, so that the viruses will be loaded everytime Windows loads (it will load even before you can select Safe Mode)
In this case you can plug in the hard-disk to another computer. Scan and remove the virus, backup your files, and re-install (recommended REFORMAT) Windows.
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Sometimes temperatures also affect the stability. Letting the drive cool down might help. If you laptop fan stops, it will damage more components like the motherboard and CPU. -
Use this to check whether your harddisk is healthy.
1. Right Click on "My Computer" Icon and select "Manage"
2.Under the "Storage" Click on the "Disk Management"
It will show you the status of your harddisk and CD/DVD Drive.
Refer To the Screenshot Below:
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Thanks.. Did the check as GSL advised.. Hard Disk is Healthy..
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i am surprised that system restore going months back didn't work. this proves that your registry isn't the culprit. how long had this problem persisted? are you sure you had successfully updated your anti-virus data file?Originally posted by ellisbeck:Thank you all... But the installation of ATI Driver was a suggestion provided and I took it up. So the problem took place before the installation of ATI Driver. I realise now that I should not shut down my PC. If I restart straight away, that's fine. But if I shut it down for quite a while, and try to start it up, then I would have that problem...
I have tried the system restoration.. It didn't help even though I went back months..
And thanks.. I know one solution is to do a clean system recovery.. which involves cleaning up the whole of HD and restoring the PC to the state when it was first purchased... I am leaving this option as the last resort.. I wouldn't want to take up this option and realise I still have the problem, you see? Anyway, yes.. I have already back up my documents in an external HD drive.
Well, any more advice and suggestions before I totally clean the stomach of my PC system?
Anyway.. thank you all for all the wonderful possible advice and suggestions.. Very grateful..
hmm.. restarting your computer is fine while a cold start isn't. can you please check the amount of ram your system had registered. Based on this alone, the problem should lies with your hardware and that includes your motherboard.
my only advise as of now is to start backing up your vital database. you wouldn't know when the computer is going to give up on you. -
Originally posted by YI:
Thanks.. Yes, I have already back all important documents up. Going to clean up my HD as last resort. I suspect hardware is ok, because as long as I don't turn off my PC (for the past few days I only set it on standby when I am not using it for long hours), it did not give me any problem at all.
i am surprised that system restore going months back didn't work. this proves that your registry isn't the culprit. how long had this problem persisted? are you sure you had successfully updated your anti-virus data file?
hmm.. restarting your computer is fine while a cold start isn't. can you please check the amount of ram your system had registered. Based on this alone, the problem should lies with your hardware and that includes your motherboard.
my only advise as of now is to start backing up your vital database. you wouldn't know when the computer is going to give up on you. -
can it be virus...i have been very aware of viruses and worms since 8 viruses devoured my hard disk up recently
...and resultin in a black screen instead of a logon screen... -
norton sucks
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Good. All the best then. Looking forward to hearing good news from you. Should the problem persists after your re-installation of OS, I would think that its time you call in the professional. You did mention that your PC is still under warranty right.Originally posted by ellisbeck:Thanks.. Yes, I have already back all important documents up. Going to clean up my HD as last resort. I suspect hardware is ok, because as long as I don't turn off my PC (for the past few days I only set it on standby when I am not using it for long hours), it did not give me any problem at all.
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Right Click on "My Computer" and select "Manage"
Select "Device Manager" to see is there any Yellow Colour "!" or "Something Red in colour". -
Very interesting developments.. Here goes..
After not shutting down my PC for a few days, and shutting it down again, it went on fine, so I had not reformatted my HD and reinstall everything.
However, just a few moments ago, when I boot up my PC, my monitor simply refuses to show any images while I could heard the Windows start up from my speakers. On my monitor, it reads "PC video resolution setting is out of range. Change Setting to 1024 x 768 @ 60Hz."
Well, I did a cold boot, and this time, it works again with Windows start up successfully, only with a message showing "Unable to start driver for hpo****.exe" (I cannot remember the file name". Went to check my system video resolution). It was 1024 x 768 after all, and I have also checked that the scree refresh rate was at 60Hz.
Interesting eh? Any advice from anyone? Perhaps some info on my PC system may help? My PC system is an Intel Pentium 4 2.53GHz, HP Pavilion t142d, ATI Radeon 9000 with 64MB DDR video memory. 512 MB DDR SDRAM. My monitor is hp pavilion f1503, a 15" LCD Panel.
By the way, GSL, I have done that - everything is normal; there was no device that was marked with "!" and nothing yellow or red. Thanks. -
Bad graphics drivers... sometimes bad drivers do not show with a yellow ! mark.
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The best way to avoid all these problems is to reformat and system recovery.Originally posted by ellisbeck:Very interesting developments.. Here goes..
After not shutting down my PC for a few days, and shutting it down again, it went on fine, so I had not reformatted my HD and reinstall everything.
However, just a few moments ago, when I boot up my PC, my monitor simply refuses to show any images while I could heard the Windows start up from my speakers. On my monitor, it reads "PC video resolution setting is out of range. Change Setting to 1024 x 768 @ 60Hz."
Well, I did a cold boot, and this time, it works again with Windows start up successfully, only with a message showing "Unable to start driver for hpo****.exe" (I cannot remember the file name". Went to check my system video resolution). It was 1024 x 768 after all, and I have also checked that the scree refresh rate was at 60Hz.
Interesting eh? Any advice from anyone? Perhaps some info on my PC system may help? My PC system is an Intel Pentium 4 2.53GHz, HP Pavilion t142d, ATI Radeon 9000 with 64MB DDR video memory. 512 MB DDR SDRAM. My monitor is hp pavilion f1503, a 15" LCD Panel.
By the way, GSL, I have done that - everything is normal; there was no device that was marked with "!" and nothing yellow or red. Thanks.
I believe your registry and drivers are cranky.
And for a long long time...i think i will still stick to my diagnosis.
Cheers -
Sorry. I don't use HP. try restarting your PC. Does the message "Unable to start driver ..." pop up again? If it does.. it can mean two things. the file is corrupted or the hardware is spoilt. Conduct a defragment of your main harddisk. Is there any bad sectors? If no, I am sorry to say that your hardware is giving you trouble. My suspicion lies with the motherboard. Get a professional to look at it. Save time and money. You may want to try a re-installation of OS first though.Originally posted by ellisbeck:Very interesting developments.. Here goes..
After not shutting down my PC for a few days, and shutting it down again, it went on fine, so I had not reformatted my HD and reinstall everything.
However, just a few moments ago, when I boot up my PC, my monitor simply refuses to show any images while I could heard the Windows start up from my speakers. On my monitor, it reads "PC video resolution setting is out of range. Change Setting to 1024 x 768 @ 60Hz."
Well, I did a cold boot, and this time, it works again with Windows start up successfully, only with a message showing "Unable to start driver for hpo****.exe" (I cannot remember the file name". Went to check my system video resolution). It was 1024 x 768 after all, and I have also checked that the scree refresh rate was at 60Hz.
Interesting eh? Any advice from anyone? Perhaps some info on my PC system may help? My PC system is an Intel Pentium 4 2.53GHz, HP Pavilion t142d, ATI Radeon 9000 with 64MB DDR video memory. 512 MB DDR SDRAM. My monitor is hp pavilion f1503, a 15" LCD Panel.
By the way, GSL, I have done that - everything is normal; there was no device that was marked with "!" and nothing yellow or red. Thanks. -
Looks like your computer decides for once to work for you, and then fail you again.Originally posted by ellisbeck:Very interesting developments.. Here goes..
After not shutting down my PC for a few days, and shutting it down again, it went on fine, so I had not reformatted my HD and reinstall everything.
However, just a few moments ago, when I boot up my PC, my monitor simply refuses to show any images while I could heard the Windows start up from my speakers. On my monitor, it reads "PC video resolution setting is out of range. Change Setting to 1024 x 768 @ 60Hz."
Well, I did a cold boot, and this time, it works again with Windows start up successfully, only with a message showing "Unable to start driver for hpo****.exe" (I cannot remember the file name". Went to check my system video resolution). It was 1024 x 768 after all, and I have also checked that the scree refresh rate was at 60Hz.
Interesting eh? Any advice from anyone? Perhaps some info on my PC system may help? My PC system is an Intel Pentium 4 2.53GHz, HP Pavilion t142d, ATI Radeon 9000 with 64MB DDR video memory. 512 MB DDR SDRAM. My monitor is hp pavilion f1503, a 15" LCD Panel.
By the way, GSL, I have done that - everything is normal; there was no device that was marked with "!" and nothing yellow or red. Thanks.
After so many replies, I am suspecting that hardware could br the cause of your problem.
Anyway, before you get a new motherboard, reinstall and see if the problem happens again. If it happens again, I suggest you get it replaced, since your computer is still under warranty. -
as above if still under warranty.
but i would like to know if u ever did changed your graphics card? like maybe the HP PC comes with a nVidia card and u swapped it with an ATI without a complete removal of the drivers from the initial card?
i used to have this problem of cold and hot boot up thing with a Pentium 3 but after changing to a new unused graphics card...the problem's fixed. usually when suspected graphics card prob during boot up there will be a series of beep sounds.
as for hdd i guess not really a faliing one...u can check with some programs if u want but when the hdd fails...it just fails.
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Agreed, hard-disk fails when it cannot be detected by BIOS....
Probably bad connection, or Northbridge chip gone. (maybe bad sectors also)
For the GFX part, it is bad graphics drivers. Go to Safe Mode, remove your GFX drivers and let Windows use its own. Report back to SGF Camp with results. -
Did mention before that I don't think I will be opening up my PC - wouldn't be able to handle that. Also for that reason, I have never replaced any graphics card.Originally posted by launtpc:Agreed, hard-disk fails when it cannot be detected by BIOS....
Probably bad connection, or Northbridge chip gone. (maybe bad sectors also)
For the GFX part, it is bad graphics drivers. Go to Safe Mode, remove your GFX drivers and let Windows use its own. Report back to SGF Camp with results.
Am going to do a system recovery, and if it still doesn't work, I will escort my CPU to the 'hospital'.
Thanks guys! -
The problem of "our of range", is confirmed graphic card driver or monitor driver incompatiblity... got the same problem before, but I upgraded my GE4 to FX6600gt, 4 month ago..
Cheers. -
i have a 14" LCD (very old model, porbably one of the first LCDs manufactured and pushed out) and nd newer 17" LCD. Sometimes i do trouble shooting and connect one PC to the 17" set to 1280x1024. when i connect the same set up bcak to the 14" LCD, the initial resolution is too high and the 14" LCD cannot read it at the right frequency...so the computer still runs but the 14" LCD just display "out of range" and goes to standby mode.
so, i will connect the display back to the 17" LCD set it to the native 1024x768 for a 14" set up, save changes (although now it looks weird on a 17") and shut down. reconnect to the 14" aggain and power on...done no more issue.