A PC problem, anyone can Help?

last SG · 2011-06-23T21:26:23+00:00

Registry cleaners will really fuck your installation up unless you're selectively removing things.The IDT HD Codec is already installed; hence the fact that...

zocoss SG

Hi, I got this problem with my friend's pc... If anyone can help, would be grateful.

Ok, the problem is... It can't totally load the OS. The comp is using Win 7 OS, when you turn it on, it load until only the bottom Toolbar (the one with the start sign at the bottom left side). All the icons on the desktop can't be seen, only a black screen. Then there is this window appear asking to fix some harddisk and ram errors...

When i click the explorer, it can't connent to the internet, saying something with the telephone number kind of stuff... And when I click on the start (Bottom left) button, I go to the "All programs", I notice some of the programs are no longer there... only a few left...

When all else cannot work, I tried to reformat the HD for my friend (Using a different harddisk) but after starting for a few seconds, it can't load the new OS and it turn into a blue screen saying something like to do a check harddisk, if you are installing a new HD, stop or it may get virus or something...

Anyone know whats the problem? A friend told me it could be a ram problem cos sometimes, it can't load, only black screen then when 2 of the rams are taken out, it can load only as the same as what I mentioned at the top. It's a Dell desktop and It uses 4 x 512mb 667 rams.

Any reason why I can't load a new OS and get a blue screen?

Btw, any idea the cost of the rams if its causing the problem?

Thanks...

SBS7484P SG

If the RAM is determined to be the cause, then you should replace the RAM.

Wait - you've already determined it by removing one pair and then the other pair runs the system just fine.

The OS is installed on the hard drive, and because RAM is heavily used and a crucial system resource, you should realise that Windows will corrupt itself should it be unlucky enough to latch onto the bad spots of memory.

That, or it will BSOD.

Pick up a new pair of 1GB sticks - that'll solve the issue and give you more RAM too.

韩飞官 SG

first of all.by having 4 ram does u no good.as if it is all from diff brands it might cause conflicts. jus 2x1gb or higher ram with same type.

u also mention HDD error. is ur window 7 geniune?if not the file u downloaded maybe corrupted or someting.tat cause the OS to fail to run.if all these does not work.buy a new hdd and ram

SBS7484P SG

Even if RAM sticks were from different manufacturers, it will NOT cause a BSOD if all the sticks are in proper working order.

zocoss SG

Hey Thanks guys, just bought one 1GB ram from Sim Lim today for $28 bucks. Surprise it's quite cheap, realized I have been out of the loop for a while cos I thought it might cost me about $40 - $50+ for a 512mb... lol.

Cos if it was very ex and he has to get 4, he thought might as well get a cheaper new PC in the $300+ range as it would be more cost efficient in the long run.

Only got one today cos I want to test if it works or not first... If it doesn't, then I don't know what else to do liao... waste $28 lor...

Will go over to my friend's place tomorrow evening to see if it works after replacing the rams...

I intend to remove all the current rams and try out only the one I bought today as I think it's better not to have anything to do with the old rams anymore as they have a history... Part of it is, his PC ever cannot load 2, 3 months ago then I asked him to take out 2 rams and it work, can load. Then he put them back in again on his own hoping to have more memory and surprisingly, it work, can load and it was back to as per normal again. Strange I thought but since it was working, just continue lor...

Ok, just some info of the user... I notice my young friend seems to download quite an amount of torrent files... He said he watches movies on his PC. Those TV or cable comedies kind, don't play online games with it... Other usual stuff, Messenger, skype, open office software...

The 2nd post asked if his window 7 is geniune? I notice it isn't and I asked if he have the OS, he said he don't as the PC was given to him by his elder bro some 2 yrs ago (2nd hand set)... It has a geniune windows xp licence sticker but he said his bro didn't give him any CD.

So this being the case, I intend to give him my geniune Xp as I got a spare and I don't used or need it anyway...

I am wondering should I just start with reformating and not let his Win 7 try to even load as the 1st post said... "Windows will corrupt itself should it be unlucky enough to latch onto the bad spots of memory"

Does it work both ways? Will the current Win 7 / Harddisk corrupt the new ram?

Should I replace the Harddisk as well? I got a used one but it's good, I have tested it before and no problem... Cos I did mentioned on the first post at start up, a diagnostic scan will happen and said something like cannot fix some harddisk and ram errors kind of message...

Thanks again guys... Will check back in tomorrow afternoon...

韩飞官 SG

normally hdd wont spoilt. looks like the pc was somehow very old already?maybe some software or hardware does not support window 7 and if it was 64bit things will go worst.jus install vista or xp will do

SBS7484P SG

No, no.

Windows will NOT corrupt the RAM.

It goes the other way round. Damaged RAM leads to corrupted Windows installation.

Also, it is best to buy a pair of sticks rather than just one stick.

1GB of RAM is slow as hell even on XP.

That's assuming we're talking modern standards.

Get a second stick of similar RAM, and place them in.
This, for more memory and dual-channel operation which is faster.

zocoss SG

Did what I said earlier, took out all the 4 x 512mb rams and replace it with the new 1Gb. The result, it didn't work!

Very disappointed couldn't help my young friend... The moment I put in the new ram and turn on his PC, a beep beep sound starts... and the monitor can't even start off from its stand-by mode meaning the harddisk didn't even move a single bit... Changed the position of the ram on the slots also same story.

In the end, my young friend said forget it lah... No choice, have to spend some money so went in search to get a cheap desktop lor...

At the shop where he bought his new desktop, (the cheapest one in the store) I ask the sales man if the 2 rams (The new kingston 1gb ram and his own a 512mb Pro MOS) were the same kind? After looking at them, the salesman said they were. So I ask him any reason why they couldn't work on his old Dell PC, he said it's hard to say for sure... But maybe the new 1Gb may be faulty? Though that may not necessary be the case but he doesn't discount the possibility of a new ram, came sealed in a casing by an unbroken sticker, could be spoilt from his experience...

I am now thinking could it be because it's a Dell set so they make it difficult for other hardware to match with their system? Or his motherboard can only used up to 512mb ram max on each slot?

Now, don't know if the shop allow to do an exchange so that I can try it again? Cos otherwise, I end up having a new ram I am not sure working or spoilt and don't know what else to do with it... If they allow and it turns out this was really the case, it's really unfortunate as my young friend could have really saved his $ for better used rather than having to spend it on a new desktop...

SBS7484P SG

Did you seat the RAM properly?

Also, if the computer is very old, it may not be able to accept 1GB sticks.

zocoss SG

Yup, definitely... I push it in till I got the click click sound on both sides.

Went over to the shop today and the guy exchanged another one for me without questions asked. I just told him I slot it in and turn on the PC and immediately the beep sound started... He just said Oh... Ok, I exchange one for you then...

And really ah? too old can't take 1GB ram... I estimate it to be about 4 yrs or 5 I think...

Will go over to my friend's place next weekend to try again if I am not able to go during the weekdays...

SBS7484P SG

4-5 years old is definitely not too old.

韩飞官 SG

get a new CPU with basic graphic card and etc should cost u around less than 400

SBS7484P SG

Which probably won't be very powerful or reliable.

If you even want any semblance of quality, at least $500.

Legit Windows already costs $100+.

zocoss SG

Well, I manage to bring the set back after this past 2 weekends... Here's the thing, I slot in the new 1GB ram and this time it work, no beep sound...

Can boot up but, when I tried to reinstall windows, boot up from CD-rom it work, Drivers install it work, but the part when windows starts to transfer OS files onto the Harddisk, I get this blue screen again as before...

Does anyone have an idea why this happen?

zocoss SG

Just came across this page after doing a search on the Technical infomation on the blue screen above...

http://forums.penny-arcade.com/showthread.php?t=72146

It seems like this problem have been around for sometime... I have the same problem, the same Dell model Dimension E520... Looks like this problem is quite unique to Dell and this model... Any recourse for this set?

It didn't give any indication what's the fault though the last post suggested to change the SATA configuration... How do you change sata configuration?

And another guy said to disable anything that refers to AHCI / RAID, set everything to compatibility...

Any other suggestions?

SBS7484P SG

Hold.

Are you trying to install Windows 7 on this machine?

zocoss SG

No I want to install Xp on to it.

Anyway, whats the difference? It's currently on Windows 7...

SBS7484P SG

There's a less complicated way...

Or rather, I think there is.

That is, to install Windows 7 on the hard drive from another computer, then boot the Dell with the same hard drive, and finally activate Windows on the Dell.

lce SG

think yr hd is corrupted

zocoss SG

But I want to put my licenced win Xp in cos the current one from my friend is on win 7 but got no licence...

Earlier, I did changed another harddisk with win Xp inside but when it came to the part when the Xp logo supposed to show, it couldn't boot also... I think it must be something to do with the bios settling cos other harddisk all cannot read only the original one can boot... Must be one of the problems Dell comes with... damn!

I will try to work on it again in the next 2, 3 days when I got the time... Try to change something in the bios next time and hopefully it will work like for that guy in the link I put up...