HALP! Girlfriends PC crashed...me thinks?

[wclem]

It sounds/looks like a pc of ram went bad, had a windows file static and upon freezing it became corrupt and will no longer fully boot. You may be able to install windows over top itself but if you are not secure in your ability send it to someone who is sure.

Also, ALWAYS periodically back up photos and other important files to an optical disc and make multiple copies. If you really want to be secure keep copies in multiple places including security boxes at the bank. Never rely 100 per cent on a hard drive to back up correctly. Blank DVD's are dirt cheap and BluRay is coming down quickly. Anyways, this allows you to send them to people without computers but who have DVD players as these disc can also be made to view in DVD players etc.....

[prfsnl_gmr]

Also, ALWAYS periodically back up photos and other important files to an optical disc and make multiple copies. If you really want to be secure keep copies in multiple places including security boxes at the bank. Never rely 100 per cent on a hard drive to back up correctly. Blank DVD's are dirt cheap and BluRay is coming down quickly. Anyways, this allows you to send them to people without computers but who have DVD players as these disc can also be made to view in DVD players etc.....

I agree with this completely. We recently had issues with one of our external hard drives that resulted in the loss of some information. (When I say "issues", I mean that I accidentally formatted it while attempting to install Windows 7 on a new hard drive. ) Thankfully, we had our pictures backed up on the computer's hard drive and some CDs; so, we did not lose anything.

Since my laptop has trouble durning DVDs, I am thinking about getting a 32GB SD card and using that as my "redundant" back up going forward. Other than the fact that, like an external hard drive, it is easily overwritten, are there any othr reasons I should avoid that format?

[wclem]

Also, ALWAYS periodically back up photos and other important files to an optical disc and make multiple copies. If you really want to be secure keep copies in multiple places including security boxes at the bank. Never rely 100 per cent on a hard drive to back up correctly. Blank DVD's are dirt cheap and BluRay is coming down quickly. Anyways, this allows you to send them to people without computers but who have DVD players as these disc can also be made to view in DVD players etc.....

I agree with this completely. We recently had issues with one of our external hard drives that resulted in the loss of some information. (When I say "issues", I mean that I accidentally formatted it while attempting to install Windows 7 on a new hard drive. ) Thankfully, we had our pictures backed up on the computer's hard drive and some CDs; so, we did not lose anything.

Since my laptop has trouble durning DVDs, I am thinking about getting a 32GB SD card and using that as my "redundant" back up going forward. Other than the fact that, like an external hard drive, it is easily overwritten, are there any othr reasons I should avoid that format?

They fail, never know when. If you are gonna do this I would at least make 2-3 dupes at at time. Magnetic devices fail.

[ExedExes]

I though Hirens right away when I saw this thread, but I approached it as lightly as many others have, I see

I love my Hirens disk. So much useful stuff there, and the easiest way to wipe a hard drive ever on that too (DBAN for the win!)

[marurun]

So, wait, Mike, you said when you booted and hit F10 at the HP logo screen, it never took you into the system BIOS? (Text interface where you set up a bunch of pre-boot/pre-Windows settings)

That sounds like the machine maybe has problems with the motherboard. Those are, unfortunately, annoyingly expensive to replace in pre-built machines from HP, Dell, etc... You may need to plan on procuring a replacement.

[ninjainspandex]

new thread time "Help Mike build a new PC affordably"

[RyaNtheSlayA]

new thread time "Help Mike build a new PC affordably"

Slowly but surely, I will make sure every human on this forum has a gaming capable PC. This is just the next step.

[isiolia]

That sounds like the machine maybe has problems with the motherboard. Those are, unfortunately, annoyingly expensive to replace in pre-built machines from HP, Dell, etc... You may need to plan on procuring a replacement.

HP home machines often have extremely barebones ASUS mATX boards in them, so if that's the case a new board wouldn't be too difficult. I'd say to put the money towards a build/upgrade either way though. Dell, yeah, BTX boards aren't common outside the OEM market.


Also, even if the BIOS doesn't pop right open, I would still look at the HDD first. Or at least unplug it and see how things go. Non or barely responsive drives can cause a system to hang at boot, as it patiently waits for them to respond.

[mjmjr25]

So, wait, Mike, you said when you booted and hit F10 at the HP logo screen, it never took you into the system BIOS? (Text interface where you set up a bunch of pre-boot/pre-Windows settings)

That sounds like the machine maybe has problems with the motherboard. Those are, unfortunately, annoyingly expensive to replace in pre-built machines from HP, Dell, etc... You may need to plan on procuring a replacement.

Right, first time I powered back on I had the 4 options - I went with "safe mode" and it loaded up, looked "ok" a few seconds then crashed again. Subsequent start-ups all did the same thing, that HP screen and the hit F10 prompt, however hitting F10 did nothing.

I'm fine getting a replacement, but if this one can be made running for $100 give or take, than that's the best option. We really don't do anything w/PC, she does photoshop and electric quilts - that's it. She has a chromebook for internet and email.

I've got it boxed up and I think the safest (for me) thing to do is shoot it off to Fast and have him peek at it. Worst case i'm out a few bucks to ship.

[marurun]

That is definitely a safe plan. I was just having flashbacks to my days in IT support.