This dell's got 'ssues, and they aren't on its feet.

[QuantumPC]

Hmm well after looking at a dell I picked up cheap, its whacked out.



Would load stuff fine, come to the XP bootup screen, then display a black screen. Even after restart.


So, what do i do? Reinstall XP of course......



Start up, works fine, yay, computer all better.


power down, power up next day to do windows update, whats happened? Same black screen after windows boot screen.


What's the deal, yo? You think it might be motherboard? I tried a different vid card, and same issues.

Right now im thinking maybe driver issues, because i did install the driver for the VGA from dell, then it was like this, but it worked for the last owner for a few months b4 it started to wig out.


please help me great computer knowledge holders.

 

[David]

First things first. Instability screams three things to me. Power supply, RAM, heat.

Is all the cooling gear on properly? No HSFs fallen off or anything? Everything cable-wise secure in the case?

Test the RAM with Memtest86 from www.memtest86.com - any problems?

Any way to see the PSU rails from the BIOS? Also check temps? Relax any timings or overclocking in the BIOS.

Might also be a dodgy HDD btw.

 

[fhanderson]

If this is a Dell desktop, look at the Diagnostic lights on the back of the computer when the screen goes black. You'll have to look up the user"s guide at Dell's website for your particular model to get the codes. Also you can go into the BIOS and turn off Quick Boot and/or Quiet Boot. This will allow you to see as the devices load, where it stops may give you a clue to the problem.

 

[QuantumPC]

Cant check temp or PSU rails in dell BIOS.


Diagnostic lights are OK.

It will boot up fine with SAFE MODE on but wont boot up in Last Known Good Configuration or Normal mode.

So im thinking maybe crapped-out HD or software? IDK how it could be software tho...

 

[dark_15]

You may need to get the LSASS vulnerability and RPC Vulnerability (a.k.a. the Blaster Patch) before you connect the dell to the internet... these two vulnerabilities have been known to cause machines to restart, as well as corrupt the windows install... I had Blaster attack my new rig in less than five minutes after a fresh install...

Blaster Patch

LSASS Patch

 

[QuantumPC]

Yes but I formatted and reinstalled completely, and the dell hasnt ever been on the net since i formatted, so how can i have rpc or sasser?

 

[Hedge]

DUDE, you got a dell.... I couldn't resist. sry.

 

[QuantumPC]

Thanks for your contribution.

 

[QuantumPC]

I booted in safe and removed the driver for the video, and now it boots into windows normally, but is still really slow and sluggish. im thiking its either HEAT or HD. If i get mbm5 on it and the temps are ok would it be SAFE to say its the HD?

 

[fhanderson]

Most Dell motherboards don't have temp sensors. You can download a set of diagnostics from Dell Downloads that will check all your hardware. Once you download the diagnostics, they make 5 or 6 floppy disk. You load all 5 or 6 and you get the diagnostics menu. A complete test takes awhile depending on the HDD size. Also check to see if a program is hogging the CPU cycles. What is the model of the Dell computer?

 

[QuantumPC]

2400 with a 2.8/ 533 fsb

the newer line of 2400's

 

[NiTrO bOiE]

What video card and drivers are you using?

 

[QuantumPC]

Intel onboard and the ones provided by dell, so they should be ight.