The 'Something's Broked' Thread

[Ip Lockard]

Figured as there's a thread for Homework help, eventually someone's gonna have some computer/console issues.

There's quite a few of us on here who work in IT, so if you're having a problem - shout here and we'll do our best to help out!

(Note- This thread could probably also cover purchasing/upgrade advice for hardware.)

[jerryGFL]

even though is study comp sci . i still want to ask you a questin that could easily lead to a 10 page debate.
Anywayim looking to buy a new pc and will build it myself. Now i have the issues wich graphics card to put in it.
I have already decided that it will be a NVIDIA card so no" i like the atiXXXmore" posts please.
So which card would you recommend expiereince etc? thx

[Ip Lockard]

even though is study comp sci . i still want to ask you a questin that could easily lead to a 10 page debate.
Anywayim looking to buy a new pc and will build it myself. Now i have the issues wich graphics card to put in it.
I have already decided that it will be a NVIDIA card so no" i like the atiXXXmore" posts please.
So which card would you recommend expiereince etc? thx

What performance do you need from it and how much are you willing to spend on it?

[jerryGFL]

200 POUNDS should be erlatively high performance

[Flamur]

Right, I need help.

My computer isnt working.

After its on for a few minutes it either just crashes and freezes and I have to restart, or the monitor just...shuts off and says "Entering Sleep Mode". Ive done system reinstalls and its fine for a bit until I start installing important s*** like my Internet, Graphics Drivers, Microsoft Office, Service Packs, NET Framework 2.0, etc.

Anyone have any idea? Its really pissing me off as I cant find the problem (Although I have my suspicions)...

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[Ip Lockard]

Laptop?

[Nelsaidi]

200 POUNDS should be erlatively high performance

You wont need a graphics card if your spending only £200, your wasting your money. Ever few pounds you can add on to that will be worth it, so can you do £250? Or bettrer yet £300.

[Flamur]

Laptop?

Nope.

[Ip Lockard]

@ Flamur - if you're just aiming system restores at it rather than formatting, it could well be some kind of Trojan malware.

I'd suggest what I normally do - boot to safe mode, start>run>msconfig and turn off ANYTHING that isn't MS signed.
Then open the programs that normally cause a crash, one by one while watching Task manager.

End game if it keeps happening - format the drive to 2 partitions, one for OpSys and installs, one for data(docs, music, saves, etc.)
That prevents around 90% of nasty s*** hitting anything you can't just re-install.

[Flamur]

Alright, the problem seems to be after I install my Graphics Drivers...Before I install them, things work fairly well (Apart from the obvious graphics stuff like jittering and no games etc.). Once I install those drivers, it starts to shut off every 20/30 mins.

[Flamur]

Alright well, I'm gonna get one of my mates old graphics cards as a temporary replacement in the hope that it will fix my computer and let me get back to normal.

[patti11]

hey i have a problem
just now this window came up saying, 'An unauthorized change was made to Windows'. You will no longer receive notifications, including those about your license or activation.
I am using Vista (came with the laptop) Home Premium

[Ip Lockard]

Try this:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/931699

If you're using any of those programs it does happen occasionally.

[patti11]

i am using none of those programs and i cant access control panel

should i system restore?

[Ip Lockard]

Sounds like a HDD issue then.

Try Start>Run>Chkdsk

If that comes up blank (no errors), then simply repairing the Vista install might work.

If there are errors, I'd get everything you can off the machine, and try re-formatting.