Any computer tips?

[Lyndis]

What can I do when my computer won't boot? Does anyone know any tips or tricks to bring it back to life? I'm hoping to avoid the repair shops, since they're so expensive, but I'm running out of options. :(

[dome1984]

hmm how bout a format and a windows fresh install? or does the pc neither POST?

[Random]

How do you mean, won't boot?
Any errors?
Does it just not turn on when you press the button?

More info would help.

[baslisks]

don't have a virus auto sort your programs into nice neat files each marked with the starting letter of the file name. Also don't clean your computer with soap and water.

[NERD]

Check if the power cord is connected securely to the back of the computer. It sounds silly, yes, but I've seen quite a lot of people getting riled up, frustrated and then realizing it was something so damn simple.

[Jay]

What can I do when my computer won't boot? Does anyone know any tips or tricks to bring it back to life? I'm hoping to avoid the repair shops, since they're so expensive, but I'm running out of options. :(

So when you press the on button it just doesn't boot? I agree with Kobun, check everything's connected properly first. Sometimes to stupidest mistakes are made from plugs having worked themselves loose.

If that's not the problem, it could be one of a number of hardware problems. I doubt it's software. Looks like a job for the techie methinks.

[setrict]

You might try completely unplugging power, and all powered devices (printers, anything that is connected to power) and let it sit for 10-15minutes. There is usually enough residual charge in the caps to keep some boards in a stuck state unless you let it drain all the way.

[Kash]

Didn't you make a "boot disk" so you can boot to dos and go into recovery mode?

What OS?

As others have said, many questions not answered.

[stillbornsinger]

defibulator quick!

umm..

Do you get a power on indication from any lights on the computer?
Do you get to the boot screen?
Do you get to the windows load screen?
Can you hear the hard drive spin up?

[Dead Sexy Vocab]

I switch all the good files into the other drive (if there's enough space), and then re-install Windows.

[Spaatz965]

I agree with Kobun, check everything's connected properly first. Sometimes to stupidest mistakes are made from plugs having worked themselves loose.

If that's not the problem, it could be one of a number of hardware problems. I doubt it's software. Looks like a job for the techie methinks.

Totally agree with Kobun and Jan here...Back when I was starting out in IT, had a support call that ended up being a power cable. Later with one of my own machines, had a mysterious blue screen problem that just showed up periodically. Turns out I had an IDE cable interfering with the processor's cooling fan, which was causing the proc to overheat. Check and reseat everything that looks like a connection.

Also...when you say it doesn't boot, do you mean:

You hit the power switch and nothing happens.
You hit the power switch and hear some beeps and nothing else happens.
You hit the power switch and you get some of the POST info and nothing else happens.
System posts but doesn't see a boot device.
System starts booting but fails.
Other.

I tell people this all the time...computers are nothing more than tools, albeit very complex and versitile tools. Because of that complexity and versitility, there is a very wide range of reasons why a computer won't finish loading the operating system...and without some of the details to key off of, we're just guessing with common/simple fix things.

<===edit====>
Sorry Still...didn't mean to readdress the questions you already asked. Hadn't read your post :o

[NERD]

Everyone starts out as a greenhorn, so I won't be surprised Lyndis found out a power cable dangling a bit loose on the back (by the way, I'm a Fire Emblem fan too!)

I am responsible for- totalling two computers and frying up a Playstation due to faulty power converter. And only by numerous times of tinkering and screwing up Windows do I have some knowledge about it. I'm intermediate at best.

[Lyndis]

Okay, when I turn on the computer, I get the little orange light that usually blinks when the computer is running, but it's just solid. I also hear the humming noise that the fan makes. But nothing happens. The green light surrounding the "e" logo doesn't come on, and it just won't boot. The only way to turn it off in that state is to unplug it.

No, I don't have any kind of boot disc (would it be a floppy or a CD?) I might just try the "unplugging everything for 15 minutes" idea, though.

[NERD]

Sounds like that may be a hard drive problem. If the computer turns on, with the fan and all, it means the motherboard is working, but if it does not boot up, likely a hard drive problem, though I would need a closer inspection.

By all means, going to a technician is probably the best thing to do right now. If it is a brand name computer like HP or Dell with warranty still intact, this shouldn't be much of a problem. However, if it was built by yourself/someone else without any warranties, expect to shell out some bucks just for a diagnose. Techies will make you bleed hard.

[El Jasma]

Ok it sounds like you have an Emachine. Which tend to have very crappy power supply. So if the circle around the the "E" isn't turning on it usually means the power supply needs to be replaced. The fact that the HD light stays solid and you hear the fans spinning up just means that they are getting some power but not enough.

[Trump]

Does the computer beep shortly after you turn it on?

[Pete]

What happens on the screen when you turn it on? If it's absolutely nothing then the graphics card could be dead. A bad motherboard usually won't post at all, with a bad hard drive it should get past checking CPU, RAM etc. before it stops and bad RAM would be the same. Bad PSU it wouldn't turn on at all or would suddenly die while using it.

Check the fan connector on the CPU heatsink/fan as it may not turn on if that's disconnected. If that fails, try resetting the CMOS (if you know how to).

[co_delphi]

The best plan of action in this case is to find yourself a good computer geek. This can usually be done by finding the person who doesn't jump at the chance but is willing to give advice. Then either give him a cute smile to make him believe him fixing your computer might earn him brownie points with you or offer to feed him something home cooked because any true computer geek is typically lacking in both a love life and/or nutritional food that involves more than being set in a microwave for 2 minutes.

The reason I suggest this option is because of all the different possibilities it could be and that trying to follow every suggestion given on a message board could cause more problems or cost you alot more than is neccessary.

[more cheerios]

There is the possibility that your computer just blows and it's time for a hardware update. :(

[Pete]

From the answers posted a think we have a few people who know their stuff, we just need a bit more info from the OP and I'm sure we'll be able to sort this :)

[stillbornsinger]

<===edit====>
Sorry Still...didn't mean to readdress the questions you already asked. Hadn't read your post :o

no harm, no foul.... You asked a few questions that I missed on as well... we're all trying for the same goal here.

Lyndis- my bet would be on the power supply, possibly the motherboard as well.

Frying computers sucks eh? I fried my computer just before I left for deployment... ended up destroying 3 motherboards before figuring it was probably the power supply. Ended up ordering all the parts that I need to build an entire new computer. Will probably buy a new power supply and motherboard and give one last shot at making the old computer work again. (was still a nice P4 2.8ghz)

[Scott]

My bet's on the motherboard failing; eMachines have power supplies that, when they fail, tend to completely fail, in my experience. Motherboards can fry and still power on, but not be able to function at any higher level than that.

If the orange light came on and stayed on, you can reference that if you want to try calling tech support or something... this is most likely not something you would want to be fixing yourself - especially not in an eMachines case.

Additionally, if you're not hearing a beep code, that indicates a pretty basic failiure since beep codes are supposed to cover almost everything - that's another reason I suspect motherboard.

[stillbornsinger]

Scott- spot on... Lyndis should be talking to tech support, or at least the local computer geek.

One thing to worry about though, is if its a problem that involves faults in multiple parts. Like in my story about my computer, I had almost the exact same symptoms but every time I replaced the mother board, it would fry within powering it on a couple of times. I'm almost certain it was due to an over voltage/current situation caused by the power supply.

That gets expensive quick :(

[co_delphi]

Actually I forgot the cardinal rule before approaching any computer issue..... Prior to your computers current condition, did you do anything different? Did you add/remove anything or did you move your computer, clean it, or something else that might potentially affect it beyond being a internal software or hardware issue?

[DJ_one]

What can I do when my computer won't boot? Does anyone know any tips or tricks to bring it back to life? I'm hoping to avoid the repair shops, since they're so expensive, but I'm running out of options. :(

I'd have to know what OS/hardware you are using really, like is it a Mac or PC, Win ME or XP etc. perhaps you can try these out if appropriate to the OS you are using.

1. You could try pressing and holding F8 or whatever function key is appropriate for your PC during the boot sequence.

2. Choose an option such as to boot into safe mode and do a system restore if you are using Windows XP.

3. Try choosing one of the other boot options like start windows on last known working configuration.

It may be a component failure or HD failure that’s preventing the system from booting.

[Lyndis]

It's true that I had installed a new driver for my WinTV, since for some odd reason, I wasn't getting any sound on it at all. And it had been working just fine prior to moving down here. That's when I started having the crashing problems. The microsoft troubleshooting page said that a driver had caused the problem, but it couldn't pinpoint exactly which driver had done it. So I assumed that it was the newest driver that caused it. But even after uninstalling that driver, I still continued to have problems. I have a PC, and I use Windows XP, and I even tried doing the system restore to the earlier time. That didn't help either. And now my computer won't boot, so I can't go into safe mode or anything.

My grandmother even found a rescue disc from Dec. of '99, so I popped that into my floppy drive. No effect. I wonder if it was just too old? Or was there something else wrong?

[Zonehunter1]

Myself, i think it could be an virus. But otherwise, a complete HD replacement might be the only way.

[DJ_one]

OK, if you could say what exact hardware you have, dont skimp on the detail, like was the WinTV a USB or PCI card one etc.

I normaly test out by component, and see if a system will boot up without certain hardware as if a PCI card is faulty it may prevent the PC from booting up properly, I had some faulty ram on my old graphics card that screwed up a couple of weeks ago for the second and last time, that caused windows to crash and XP not booting properly unless it was in safe mode, it was pretty obvious with that one because of the graphics corruption, but wasnt when my DVD-ROM drive went up the creak.

Also maybe try borrowing a spare HD (internal or external doesnt matter) from a friend if they have one or buy a new one, add that HD and install a fresh copy of Windows XP on that, set the drive to boot priority, boot in on that if you can then see if you can access your old HD from there, if you can then that HD obviously still works and just copy over the files you need to the new one, format and reinstall Windows on the old HD again and copy the stuff back, or of you buy a new drive just use it as a storage drive.

[Scott]

Myself, i think it could be an virus. But otherwise, a complete HD replacement might be the only way.

Just a FYI, but a computer not powering on is usually NOT something that has to do with a virus or hard drive problem - at least, not those alone.

[Zonehunter1]

No the computer turns on, but the entire operating system won't boot.
We need to see the entire system laid out for us for any real insight to happen.

[Trump]

Define "turns on"

I understand when you flip the power switch the fans start, but do you get a bios screen to pop up on your monitor? Can you get in to edit those settings or do you not even get that far?

[co_delphi]

okay I am seeing alot of conflicting views from people of obviously differing technical backgrounds. To potentially resolve many of the problems that might arise from misinformation I will attempt to break it down.

When you turn on your computer, some lights turn on and you hear noise coming from the computer. None of the sounds have any resemblance to grinding and it is all fairly uniform (it does not fluctuate). Now in regards to the monitor, does it have a light as well and if so what color? If it shows as greenish yellow on most monitors this means that it is working and has a video signal, if it is orange then there is no signal and you should check to make sure the monitor is connected. If it is connected and still orange then there is no signal from the video card and would mean internal problems.

Now lets say that the monitor light is yellow and stuff appears on the screen. Typically you should see the logo of the company your computer comes from being Compaq, E-machine, dell or whatnot. If you see this this is good. that means that at least the bios and video card are working and has gotten past post . Next do you hear any audible beeps? If so give a rough approximation of how many and how fast they come. Then lets say it gets past this, do any errors come on the screen or does it make it to the windows splash screen (where it says windows XP in full color filling the screen.) If you have gotten this far then what you are experiencing is most likely fixable. My advice is to answer these questions and then and only then can we make accurate decisions as to if any of your hardware needs to be replaced or otherwise.

[Kella]

Lyndis - Please let us know if this was fixed, and if there are still problems please see if you can find the answers to some of the excellent Tech questions posted above. :) This will help us geeky people fix you, or help you a way to fix yourself...

<--- Current IT Systems Admin Major... and damned proud of it! ;)

[nothing]

you could have two unrelated probelms there, I think it seriously unlikely that a WinTV driver could cause problems at the physical level. I think the best test would be as follows:

1. Find a power supply you know is good. Attach that to the system and try to power on.
2. If it doesn't, the motherboard is probably broken and will need to be replaced. If it does, replace your old power supply.

This will not necessarily stop the problem happening again. If your computer is very old it could simply be age failure. If it's fairly new, and the motherboard is the broken part my first guess would be a power spike that the PSU couldn't handle and carried through to the board circuitry.

[Kella]

...and this is why UPS was invented. god love 'em... lol

[co_delphi]

...and this is why UPS was invented. god love 'em... lol

Are you referring to a uninterruptable power source or United Parcel Service? Because if you are talking of the delivery service I think you need your head checked.

[Kella]

i was speaking about uninterruptible power sources... United Parcel Service creeps me out. lol

[nothing]

i was speaking about uninterruptible power sources... United Parcel Service creeps me out. lol
*sings along to Weird Al - Here Come The Men In Brown*