HELP!!!COMPUTER GUYS..............I think it's dying

[Roothawg]

I have a gut feeling my pc is on it's way to PC heaven.
I lost my DVD and CD-rom. The device driver says that everything is working properly but I have no response from either one....my printer shows to be unplugged or not connected as well. Could this be a version of the worm virus? Any help is appreciated. This sucks.

[radical56chevy]

my cd-rom exploded a disk..i put in a new one (cdrom drive)and works ok.real simple to do just follow instructions ..do you have a virus checker? run it and see what happens..hope this helps..

[Roothawg]

Oh yeah and now I can't get to my email either....it's telling me I am unauthorized. I think me gots a worm.....

[radical56chevy]

damm worms..almost as bad as the newbies these days..lol


good luck..

[FWilliams]

been there, done that, 2 months ago, started out little shit not working right , then just kept getting worse ans worse. end up in the shop.

[Roothawg]

I thinnk that the next one I get will not be on the net. I'll keep this one for surfing only. Strip all the guts except the modem and the sound....99% of the problems I encounter are from the net.

[Mojo]

I'm not familiar with a virus or worm that does anything like that... It could be your motherboard is dying though. How old is this machine? Do you have any problems with the electricity at your home... lights flashing, things like that? Power fluctuations can kill a computer quick.

As far as the internet goes... there's really no need for another machine just for the net. You just need a good virus protection program (Norton, McAfee, Etc), and keep it updated. I've been messing with downloading files for years, and never get anything.

One other thing, watch out for spyware. Not because it's trying to get your credit card number of any of that tin-foil hat stuff... but because it installs itself without permission, and is so badly written it causes the machine to get slower than hell. I've seen some wierd stuff happen because of it. Anyhow, get Spybot Search and Destroy (http://www.safer-networking.org) and run it, or even SpySweeper (http://www.webroot.com/wb/downloads/index.php) which works good too.

[Zeke]

could be a virus or it could just be a hardware or software conflict root. Have you installed anything new lately? could just be the MB going tits up. Defiantely download a newer mcafees virus program trial or something for a check and get some good antispyware on it.
I lost my c drive about 3 weeks ago due to a virus it sucks.

[CURIOUS RASH]

<font color="green">Root,

Check your PM's punk.

For you Norton and McAfee dudes...

Try AVG Free Addition (http://www.grisoft.com) .

It is FREE as the name would imply and works great!

I also recommend Spybot R&amp;D.

AND, for the LOVE OF GOD, do not run AD-Aware.

ROOT,

Since you just moved and all, open up the case and make sure all cards and connections are still secure.

If something jiggled loose it could cause untold problems.

Let me know if you need help.

RASHY </font>

[Hackerbilt]

Whats the issue with AD-Aware? I use it weekly! (GULP!!!!)
Its found loads of shit!

Bill

[CURIOUS RASH]

<font color="green">Oh,

It does work, just be sure to check what it wants to quarantine for any .dll files as it will delete files needed for programs to operate.

Also, never let it change files without quarantining them first.

RASHY </font>

[zman]

Another good idea for the PC guys is to use Mozilla instead if Internet Explorer. http://www.mozilla.org The turn off pop-ups and javascript. It'll make it much harder to get infected.

[hunter lake]

I second rashy's vote for AVG anti virus, I use the free version on all the windows computers I build and have deployed it in several business networks ......works great

I also agree with the vote for mozilla much more control over net behavior, but I also run linux for my personal machine so I may be biased

[trey]

im gonna hijack your computer post, while its here. anyone got a list of things to make old computers out of? i know you can run old arcade games, and make a console, but im looking for other things too. something fun. and easy, im stupid.

trey

[CURIOUS RASH]

<font color="green">Trey,

You talking about case modding?

Doing things to a regular computer cas or building a computer into something else?

We took an old hard side briefcase and put all the guts of a regular computer into it with an old touchscreen and the thing worked.

Then some smart asses came along with laptops people could afford and crushed our dreams. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

do a Google for "case modding"

RASHY </font>

[Foul]

Lemme guess, you're running a Windows OS? Likely Win98 or Win98SE or WinME? If so, it may not be your mobo, just Windows crapping out. Windows doesn't play well with some device drivers and, when it gets a few years old, sometimes even refuses to play. If you have a backup for your OS, try running that, or better yet, install something slightly more stable, such as Win2K or XP.
dan

[Upchuck]

format the thing and start fresh

you need a copy of win-xp pro?

PM me your mail address and I'll send it to you

[CURIOUS RASH]

[ QUOTE ]
format the thing and start fresh

you need a copy of win-xp pro?

PM me your mail address and I'll send it to you

[/ QUOTE ]

<font color="green">Here come the Microsoft Police!!! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

DO format it first ROOT.

If you try to do an istall over the existing problems you're gonna have even more trouble.

Also, Try partitioning your hard drive into Multiple partitions.

This way it will appear as multiple drives.

I wouldn't mess with anything under 5 gigs.

Then, install your WINwhatever on the first drive and save your goodies on the other(s).

This way, the next time WINXX gets jacked up, cuz you know it will, you just reformat THAT partition, not the entire hard drive.

This will keep your other stuff safe and sound.

Unless some other critter gets in there and attacks the entire thing.

You have my Cell number.

Give me a call.

RASHY </font>

[Roothawg]

I think it is the motherboard. I took it apart and cleaned everything, doublechecked all the connections etc.
The reason I think it is dying is because both drives e and F are missing. Not only does it not run them but they don't even appear in the device manager.....I HATE WINDOWS ME.

Looks like it is time for a new computer.....sure why not I got tons of money. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif My new shop may just have to go without doors............nah....I'll give up my computer first. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[63CadGuy]

[ QUOTE ]
im gonna hijack your computer post, while its here. anyone got a list of things to make old computers out of? i know you can run old arcade games, and make a console, but im looking for other things too. something fun. and easy, im stupid.

trey

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm going to make a big old juke box out of my computer when it gets tired. Fill it full of MP3's and hook it up to my stereo.

[CURIOUS RASH]

[ QUOTE ]
I think it is the motherboard. I took it apart and cleaned everything, doublechecked all the connections etc.
The reason I think it is dying is because both drives e and F are missing. Not only does it not run them but they don't even appear in the device manager.....I HATE WINDOWS ME.

Looks like it is time for a new computer.....sure why not I got tons of money. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif My new shop may just have to go without doors............nah....I'll give up my computer first. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

[/ QUOTE ] <font color="green">Root,

Take a look at DELL. (http://www.dell.com/tv)

We are starting to use them instead of Gateway because Gateways support is near non-existant and Dell is Whupping their butts.

I have a Dell laptop I bought 4 years ago.

It has been through hell and back, even dropped down an entire flight of stairs and it just keeps chugging along.

If you hate it, I will buy it off you, plus $50.

RASHY </font>

[34Hupmobile]

Win ME is THE crash-master. It's got more bugs than a $2 motel room. It was so bad that Microsoft decided it wasn't cost effective to fix it and so they abandoned it within a year of its launch. Beware of pirated versions of XP also. While it will work fine for a while it too has a few bugs and security holes. The biggest problem is if you try to run service pack 2 it will detect an unauthorized version or pirated registration key and effectively incapacitate the installation. Still XP is the most stable of the windows platforms.

[Hot Rod To Hell]

HA HA! That's right about Win ME! My best friend is a Microsoft trained computer tech, and thay were at a training seminar that had a Q&amp;A session. Some guy says to the Microsoft Rep "What steps would you (microsoft) reccomend to get widows ME to run reliably and consistently?"

His Reply?
"Reinstall Windows 98se" http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

How fuckin funny is that?
I had ME on my laptop and it was the biggest piece of shit OS I've ever seen. I run XP professional on all of my computers now, and I love it!

[Upchuck]

anybody interested in getting ad-aware v6.0 pro gimme a pm

[trey]

talking about using a computer for something else. like making it work as a cnc machine. gots a lathe, but thats all. haha.

if i were to make the case something, id build that hotrod computer that was posted a few days ago. thanks for the reply rashy.

trey

[Unkl Ian]

I've got a Dell,with Windows ME,and AOL.
Wonderful combination. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
It can lock up,with no warning,at any time for no reason.

And it slows right down if you don't delete all the Cookies and Spyware,
and run the Defrag routine regularly.

[Upchuck]

[ QUOTE ]
I've got a Dell,with Windows ME,and AOL.


[/ QUOTE ]

XP Pro will write over the top of ME without formatting it but I doubt it would get rid of any lurking viruses if a computer had any, it would fix up them lock ups though I bet! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

and you'd have to update your video driver and possibly a few others to XP drivers though

[Rix2Six]

I use Opera as a browser. Anything that gets away from IE is an improvment.

[Rix2Six]

I wouldn't want to install over ME. You're better off formatting the drive.

[Unkl Ian]

If I get pissed off enough,I'll buy a new one.

[CURIOUS RASH]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I've got a Dell,with Windows ME,and AOL.


[/ QUOTE ]

XP Pro will write over the top of ME without formatting it but I doubt it would get rid of any lurking viruses if a computer had any, it would fix up them lock ups though I bet! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

and you'd have to update your video driver and possibly a few others to XP drivers though

[/ QUOTE ]

<font color="green"> You can install XP over any ME or 98 but if the problem you are having is in the boot sector or registry it may not fix it.

Also, you may wind up with double registries and double files which typically don't cause a problem but do eat up alot of space.

Another free program out there that helps alot is REGCLEAN (http://www.download.com/3000-2094-881470.html?tag=list) It finds errors in your registry and fixes them.

XP has included every driver I have ever needed.

ROOTY,

How old is your computer and do you leave it on or shut it down all the time?

Does your clock keep time?

Reason I ask is that my Father-in-law had some wierd things happening with his rig.

Turns out his lithium battery was dying and it is the power from this battery that stores your bios info when the computer is powered off.

Changing the battery will most likely reset your bio, so you will need to get into it and make notes of the settings as they are now, assuming they are still correct.

RASHY </font>

[cool57]

...for us real computer challenged guys-how do you "format"?

[CURIOUS RASH]

<font color="green">Oh yeah,

You say your device manager says your drives are working properly but they aren't.

Go into the device manager and click on the device in question.

If it says it is working properly and you know for a fact that it is not, remove it.

Reboot the machine.

If Windows finds it when the machine reboots, and it is a common device that does not require a special driver, let wiondows reinstall the driver.

If it does require a special driver, install from your disk.

If it doesn't see it at all upon reboot, go to:
Start/Settings/control panel/ add remove hardware
and search for it.

If it still doesn't see it, and you are sure that it is receiving power and is connected correctly, you have another problem that will require "swaptronics".

A weekening power supply can cause these problems also.

I THINK i have a brand new 350 watter you can try but I doubt it will fit in yo bunk ass case.

You still haven't called me. I would probably even drive to your place and look at this turd if you promised food, sex, beer, or any combination of the three. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif

I'm spent,

RASHY </font>

[Unkl Ian]

[ QUOTE ]
I would probably even drive to your place and look at this turd if you promised food, sex, beer, or any combination of the three.



[/ QUOTE ]
Now who could turn down an offer like that ? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Roothawg]

Rashy, pm me your cell phone number...it too was lost in the cell phone episode. I have a new phone now. I hate electronics.

[CURIOUS RASH]

[ QUOTE ]
I hate electronics.

[/ QUOTE ]

<font color="green">Apparently the feeling is mutual.

Check yo messages chump.

RASHY </font>

[swazzie]

Look at this ! Two years on cable modem- not one problem !
This sounded just like my life before that moment.

http://www.apple.com/switch/stories/