Please Some Computer Help

[leon]

Hi Guys, maybe some one here could help me with a problem I'm having with my Desk Top Computer, I have been using the Lappy for the last week now.

I usually have my main machine on all the time and it hibernates after 45 minutes, and goes to sleep so to speak, saves heaps of time turning OFF and ON

Anyway I had to load some Virus Protection Software last week and it needed a restart.

Well I figured that would be fine, it went through the normal start up screen and then suddenly told me that.

WINDOWS COULD NOT START BECAUSE THE FOLLOWING FILE IS MISSING OR CORRUPT:

\WINDOWS\SYSTEMS32\CONFIG\SYSTEM

YOU CAN ATTEMPT TO REPAIR THIS FILE BY STARTING WINDOWS SETUP USING THE ORIGINAL SETUP CD-ROM.
SELECT ' R ' AT THE FIRST SCREEN TO START REPAIR

Well I have tried this to no avail, and seeing that I'm not that computer minded thought you guys might be able to give me some advice, please

Many thanks.

Leon :thumbsup:

[supernova1965]

Hi Leon need to know what OS you are running is it XP and what Virus software you installed

[leon]

Oh yea that would help, Warren, :rolleyes: it is XP and it was Nortons Anti Virus.

Leon :thumbsup:

[supernova1965]

AGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH Norton's will do research and get back to you

[supernova1965]

Initial study could be bad news possible HDD failure imminent this link gives more info will look further into possible solutions






http://forums.techarena.in/windows-xp-support/703225.htm

[mithrandir]

I've had that happen once and had to install another copy of Windows on another partition to get the box up.

Is your boot drive (probably C) short of space?

Windows tries to rewrite the system file fairly often. When it does that it deletes the backup version, renames the current version file and creates a new one.

If there isn't enough space because something has come along in the meantime and left less than the space required for a new system file, windows doesn't flag the new file as corrupt, and doesn't tell you.

This can happen again, and then you don't have a backup. Until you reboot things are fine.

If "R" doesn't work you are probably up for a rebuild.

<hat mode=unix>But then this is Windows. You have to rebuild it every 6 months anyway to keep it running smoothly.</hat>

I've never had the problems with NAV that many complain about, but I do use Corporate editions. Except for it not cleaning up after Liveupdate has run, and that only happens when the system is short of disk space.

[Glenhuon]

There is an alternative Leon. Don't press R at the first screen. Let it go right through to installing windows and it will ak if you wish to repair the existing install. Say yes and let it do its job. You'll need to input the serial number during it, but apart from that it requires no other input but continue clicks.
Good luck with the fix

[leon]

Will give that a try, but to date whatever i do it denies me access beyond the first command.

Leon

[multiweb]

Not an expert by any mean but it sounds to me that if this machine hasn't booted in a while the file corruption might have happened a while ago, not necessarily related to the Norton installation? :shrug: Have you tried by any chance F8/Last known good configuration or start it in Safe Mode?

[Hagar]

G'Day Leon. The advice from Bill is probably the best to follow. Insert your windows disk in the drive, Shut down computer, reboot and on startup hit delete or whatever key takes you to the bios. Go to the boot options section, select boot from CD. then save f10 usually and then follow Bills method. Although I am not a fan of windows it does provide some good repair options.
You could also try booting it in safe mode and see if there is a backup of this file in the directory and just rename it or make a copy and rename it back into the directory.
Good luck.

[Barrykgerdes]

Hi Leon

I avoid Norton Anti Virus like the plague. It is actually too severe and will show up many problems that don't show elsewhere.

It does sound like your HDD may be getting sick but have you tried starting with the F8 key pressed to get the repair start window that gives the options of start up methods. Try start first from "Safe mode" then "Last Known Good Configuration". At least Norton saves the configuration before it installs. If safe mode works go to control panel and remove Norton then erase it from the hard disk. (this does not always work because of the way Norton installs itself)

Failing this there are some tricks to use if you have your original disk. Talk to me further about this if the above fails.

Barry

[Spanrz]

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307545

MS's work around.
I've had this before too...Can be done, but it may not work at worst case scenario.

Norton, as above, I avoid it at all costs.

Over the years, when errors happen like this, I just re-install Windows. After many times of spending hours to work around a re-install, I've just got used to re-install because it is the fastest way possible to get back up and running.
I have many partitions, so my data isn't wiped (learned by experience the hard way), just windows is wiped, but the pain is also to re-install all the other packages.
I know this may not be some people's "kettle of fish", but it is probably the better way to start afresh.

[floyd_2]

Not that this will help you resolve the problem at hand Leon, but you could try installing Acronis True Image or other backup software when you're back up and running. You can set it to run a backup of your C partition to another partition on a schedule.

Should the need arise, you can boot from the Acronis boot media to restore from your last good backup and you're all set once again.

Have a listen to the hard drive in question to see if it's making any unusual repetitive sounds like ticking sounds. If it is, you probably have a head that may be starting to tilt / bad sectors etc and it's time to swap the drive out. Usually no good can come of retaining a PC hard drive that's doing re-reads.

If you have critical files on that drive and have decided to swap it out, don't spin it up again until you're ready to copy your files from it. Usually bad drives get worse with time.

Good luck with your repair. If you decide to do a re-install of XP, it might be worth telling the installer to format the drive NTFS (not a Quick format - which only re-writes the table of contents etc but doesn't touch every sector). This way, you'll find out if there are any bad sectors as the format progresses. If there are bad / unreadable sectors, the format probably won't finish, and it's time to grab a new drive or perhaps perform some percussion maintenance on the old drive.

Dean

[leon]

Thanks guys, I dose not matter what I do nothing works, so my question is this.

If I take the machine to a fellow I know how actually built this machine, and he is a computer expert, can the files on the stuffed HD be transfer to a new HD.

If not do I just format the lot and try and reinstal with the original disc.

I have all my files other than programs backed up on an external drive, and I do have all the discs for the programs that will be lost.

So what is my best option please.

Leon

[Hagar]

Format and rebuild Leon. The machine and disk is probably due for a rebuild if the truth be known. He will probably charge an arm and a leg and end up with the same result.

[Exfso]

Not sure if anyone has mentioned, you could attempt to do a system restore and go back to a date when you know it was working properly. If it wont boot up, you might need to try and start it in safe mode.

[supernova1965]

Hi Leon

First thing is your comp under any type of warranty if so don't open it or it will be voided.


If you decide on the rebuild and as I was greatly relieved to hear you already have your files backed up I would suggest if you are confident to do it to purchase a new HDD and install it in the computer and do your reinstall on that as I wouldn't trust the old one as it sounds dodgy if you closely look at the old one and note all the connections you should be able to put the new one in the same as the old one. One thing you will have to work out is whether your machine can take SATA HDD or if you need an IDE HDD I have provided pictures the first one is SATA and the second is IDE if you can use SATA it would probably be cheaper that IDE as they don't make them so much now. I have included photo's showing Sata data connector then IDE data connector the IDE power connector and last is the SATA power connector

[Barrykgerdes]

Hi Leon

If you resort to a new HDD and can install it yourself and then put your required files back on it then this sounds like your cheapest solution.

Do not monkey with the old HDD. It is surprising what can be recovered from a defunk HDD with the right equipment. It is a pity you are so far away. I can recover most with my limited equipment and have done so for many of my friends. And I am no expert!

Barry

[Jen]

:thumbsup:Good luck Leon sounds like you have an old dying desktop like mine :lol:
These guys here will help ya buddy :thumbsup:

[Barrykgerdes]

Hi Jen

You must have eaten well for Xmas. You have lost the green look.
By the way how did you get on with your computer problem.

Baz

[leon]

Well you guys are all champions, and now I have many choices to go for, many thanks indeed.

Hey Barry mate, :) you had better come down here real quick,;) na mate just kidding :lol: :lol:

Leon :thumbsup:

[Jen]

:hi: Thanks Baz :thanx:

I have just ordered a new graphics card so fingers crossed that will fix it :thanx:
:thumbsup::thumbsup:

[leon]

Well here we go guys, :eyepop: I'm the helm of the Lappy and looking for what i should do, and the main machine is up ready to be destroyed. :help:

I mean what can happen, :shrug: the HD is stuffed anyway, this will give me good practice of how to stuff a computer. :lol: :lol:

Let you all know how it goes. :thumbsup:

Leon :thumbsup:

[torana68]

Leon,
I have heard that Nortons and Xp isnt a good match but thats not helping , do you have the option of starting in safe mode? if so try that and uninstall the nortons.
or if you have set a restore point do that
or hit it with a big hammer
Roger
if all else has failed you can get stuff off the old HD

[leon]

Yea Roger I have heard that as well, no mate no restore points it wont even start, so as we speak it is formatting some partition, what ever that means.

You see, I am talking to you guys will i look at the main machine doing its business.

I cant wreck it any more, than it is already so i will see what happens, many thanks for you advice.

Leon

[Jen]

:eyepop: jen closes her eyes and covers her ears :lol::lol:

:scared3:

[torana68]

... hate the things, surrounded by them, couldnt do much at work without them..... wouldnt find people with similar interests without them, would find learning difficult..... but what do you do (and dont anyone say buy an apple)
Roger

[Glenhuon]

Leon, if you have your data backed up and the HD is on its way out, get a new one and bin the oldie.
Install the operating system and programs, (takes a while) and copy the data back to the new one. As it says someplace in the bible, no good putting a patch of new cloth on an old garment :)
If it has an IDE drive, make sure the jumper is set too whatever the old one was, for a single drive it will be Master, if SATA, no setting required.
Reasonable sized drives are way cheaper than they used to be, check out Ebay, can pick up a 160Gb or larger for around $100 or less.

Best of luck

[floyd_2]

In Sydney, 500GB drives with decent cache go for $79. 1TB is about $125 (both SATA). Unfortunately, it looks like those pesky IDE drives are getting comparatively more expensive these days :(

Remember to check your drive out before you plonk any dollars into replacing it Leon.

Dean

[mithrandir]

The way prices are going if your box only has IDE controllers, it might almost be cheaper to buy a SATA card and SATA disk than get an IDE disk. You then might have to tell the BIOS the system is allowed to boot from the add-in card.

[floyd_2]

The craziest part of all is that you can get a new machine with 1TB HDD, 4GB RAM, 2.9Ghz dual core Intel CPU etc for only $549 new with warranty these days. Might have to throw a separate graphics card at it rather than the onboard graphics - however that depends on the requirements of the astro software that you use.

A SATA II card with 1TB hard drive would cost you about half of that - and that's really just for a hard drive!

Dean

[leon]

Well guys, to cut a long story short, the job is done, the bloody thing actually fired up.:eyepop:

I went with Dougs theory, ;)format and rebuild,;) and it has worked well.:thumbsup:

Although I lost all my stuff, programs that is, there was probably heaps of crap that I don't use any way, so I'm not to fussed about that.:question:

All my external files are back on, and the programs I really only use are back on.:thumbsup:

The only thing I seem to have difficulty with is getting back on the net.:shrug:

So what do I do here fellas, and gals, do I need to see my provider or do i need to do something else.:shrug:

Anyway I can still talk to you guys with the Lappy until I work it out.:thumbsup:

Leon:thumbsup:

[Octane]

Leon,

Do you use a wireless modem/router?

You shouldn't really need to do anything.

In Windows XP, if you click Start -> Control Panel (in the top left click Change to Classic View), you should see Network Connections in there.

In there should be your network card called Local Area Connection. If it is greyed out, just double-click it to enable it. Once that's done, right-click it and go to Properties. Scroll down in the Properties until you see TCP/IP (Internet Protocol). Double-click that and ensure that auto assign IP address and auto assign DNS is set. These values only need to be changed if your modem/router is not set to do DHCP (that is, to assign values automatically to any machines connected to the network).

To see if you need to fill these values in manually, have a look on your laptop. Go to the Local Area Connection and check if all the values are set automatically on your laptop.

Hope this helps.

H

[mithrandir]

How does the laptop connect to the net?

How does the "borged" PC connect to the net? ADSL? Cable? Satellite? Dial-up?

If one of the first three, do you have a router or just a modem?

A router would do all the work for you and since you would not have to have touched that "it should just work".

A modem probably needs some software installed and configured. The software should have come with it. If you've lost it you could download it to the laptop. The config info would come from the ISP.

[supernova1965]

You can also check in the device manager to see if your Network card installed

[leon]

Still nothing happening.

We have four computers in this room, and each are connected through a router which is attached to the ADSL Modem supplied by our provider.

All other machines are fine it is the one that I formatted that dose not want to play.

Not sure of what to do here and any help would be appreciated.

H, your suggestion did not work either, I assume it probably something silly that I'm doing, don't know.

Leon

[mithrandir]

Windows is an exercise in frustration. You haven't necessarily done anything wrong, just maybe not quite enough things right yet.

More process of elimination stuff.

Someone hasn't unplugged the cable on you? Have you tried another cable in case this one is faulty?

Is your LAN connection on a card or part of the motherboard? If it is a card, you can check it to see what brand it is. If it's on the motherboard the BIOS might tell you. You'll then know what drivers you need, if any. You can download these to another PC and write them to floppy or CD.

There is probably a light on the router/switch that comes on when you power up the PC. Does it? There might be one on the LAN card too. Unplug and replug the cable from the PC and watch the lights.

If you open "Control Panel"->"Network Connections" does it show a "Local Area Connection"? This should say "Connected" if it is working, or "Not connected" if it can't see the router/switch, or "Acquiring network address" if it is waiting for DHCP to reply.

If there is no "Local Area Connection" then either you don't have the drivers installed and Windows plug-and-pray can't find them by itself, or the card is not plugged in tight, or it is dead.

You could try "Control Panel"->"Add Hardware" and have windows scan for it again.

Like H says, compare "Network Connections" with another box that is working.

Andrew

[supernova1965]

HI Leon you need to check in control panel and system / device manager to see if there is anything that did not install if there is probably the Network Card you can go to the computer main board maker's website to download the driver on one of the other comp's to get it going

[leon]

Well guys, all cables are well and are responding the routher shows up with 4 lights when all four computers are on.

The internet works perfectly on all three computers, except the one that I formatted the other night.

I have loaded all my software and programs and they are all working fine as well.

All my external drive files loaded back perfectly.

There just seems to be something with the settings for the internet, and buggered if i know where to go from here.

I might just have to take it into some place and get it looked at, because I just can't fix it.

Thanks for your help.

Leon

[lookus]

if you formatted the hdd then you will need to install all the motherboard drivers. windows will sometimes find suitable drivers for various things like video drivers and sound card drivers but it sounds like you need the ethernet driver.

as mentioned go itno device manager and see if there are any yellow exclamation points. right click and update driver. install the motherboard driver disk or you might have to download the appropriate driver for your motherboard before you update though. you will find device drivers on the appropriate website support page relating to your brand and model of computer if it is not home or store built. eg dell, hp , etc.

doing this should fix it.

[leon]

Thank you for that, you mention the mother board driver disc, this may sound stupid but where do i get this disc, is it the disc that came with the machine, mine was not a shop computer but was built for me from a computer person that I know.

Leon

[Octane]

Leon,

There should be a disc in there somewhere which will be your motherboard disc. It might have ASUS or Gigabyte or something like that written on it.

Just bung it in; when the install screen comes up, you might see something to do with NICs/Network Interface Cards, or, 10/100 Ethernet drivers, or something like that. Install that.

Before you do, though, right-click My Computer, go to Properties, and then click the Hardware tab, and then click Device Manager. If you scroll through the list of stuff there, can you see anything with a yellow exclamation mark? It might be that your Ethernet/network card may have a yellow mark next to it, which means it's typically missing drivers. By installing the drivers as mentioned above, and probably a reboot, the card should function fine.

If you need more information, or a step-by-step guide on how to do anything, just ask matey.

H

[supernova1965]

Yes you should have got a Driver disc with the machine if not I would be asking the person who supplied the machine he or she would have gotten the disc when they purchased the mother board for the comp

[floyd_2]

Just out of interest, try the following:

- Click START --> Click RUN --> then type CMD --> hit <ENTER>

- Type: ipconfig /all

- Hit <ENTER>

- Right click on the title bar of that window. This will bring up a pull down menu. Left click on EDIT --> SELECT ALL

- Hit <Enter>

- Come back to reply to this thread and hit <CTRL><V> to paste all of that info into the thread.


I'm interested to know if your computer knows whether or not you have a network interface installed at all.

Dean

[supernova1965]

Leon will have to save the copied data as a word or notepad document and transfer it to another computer to post it on IIS:D

[floyd_2]

Good point :D

Still worth doing if possible as we might be barking up the wrong tree looking for the NIC driver. Mind you, with a fresh install, the default options should have set him up for auto acquisition of IP address etc - should just work on a home network if the NIC is available.

Dean

[Octane]

Or, he could just do as I suggested, the easy way, and see if he can find any exclamation marks in the Device Manager.

H

[Mighty_oz]

U can just look at the motherboard to see what brand ( asus etc then the model number PN5 etc) and download the drivers from the internet :)
Hope this helps.

[Tandum]

It may even display that on boot.

Leon, go get Windows7 now and install it. Should be under $150.

xp is now 8 years old which is like 200 in human years :D

[leon]

Well people you have all been very helpful, :thumbsup: and you know what guys, you are all right. ;)

After much elimination and searching I have discovered that I, yep stupid me :screwy: did not install the disc that came with the Computer, which is Gigabyte Technology, dohhh. :rolleyes:

Anyway after reading the little book that came with it, it tells me that it has all the things I need to get this thing up and running again. :D

However I did install it and then it tells me, Please enter the CD KEY. :shrug:
Now i.m searching for the Key. :shrug: :lol: :lol:

Will let you know how it goes, :) or can we get around this key thing if I can't find it. :help:

Leon :thumbsup:

[Octane]

Leon,

It should be on the white case the disc came in, on a white sticker, on the disc itself or on the CD case.

H

[leon]

Yea mate I know where it should be, :lol: but i ain't. :shrug:

Leon :thumbsup:

[leon]

Ok Dean I followed your steps to the letter and this is all I got.

Leon

Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600]
(C) Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp.

C:\Documents and Settings\Leon Geljon>ipconfig/all

Windows IP Configuration


C:\Documents and Settings\Leon Geljon>

[floyd_2]

Hi Leon,
just one small prob there...



There should be a space after "ipconfig" and before the "/", so it would read:

ipconfig /all (ie. .ipconfig [space] /all)

Dean

[Mighty_oz]

The cd key maybe on your comp case they sometimes put it there, otherwise your friend ? Has it maybe.

[mithrandir]

Windows doesn't give a rats. "ipconfig/all" and "ipconfig /all" both work. Which is in itself strange. It's normally hard enough to find one way to get Windows to do anything right. :wink2:

Leon, Windows can't see the LAN hardware. Can you post a photo of the back of the PC, the brand name and model on the motherboard, and if it is a card (not built in to the motherboard) the brand and model on the LAN card.

[leon]

Andrew this is what is stuck to the box that the mother board came with


The Mother board is.

Gigabyte Technology.
K8 Triton Series

AGP8X/DDR400 Mother Board.
Supports AMD Athlon 64 Processor.

Model Name...GA-K8NS
nVIDIA nForce3 250 / ATX
K8 Socket754 / AGP 8x
8-CH Audio / 8USB2.0
3 DDR400 / Lan
Sata / ATA133

Serial Number 0508529203

Hope this helps, this is all written on the box it came in, and thank you so much for your efforts.

Leon

[mithrandir]

That's what we need! There are a few revisions of that board. It looks like yours is one of the first two, and they appear to use the same drivers.

Rev1 http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Support/Motherboard/Driver_Model.aspx?ProductID=1784

Rev 2 http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Support/Motherboard/Driver_Model.aspx?ProductID=2275

Ultra939 http://www.gigabyte.com.tw/Support/Motherboard/Driver_Model.aspx?ProductID=1839

There's a link on the right of each page for drivers.

Download at least the NForce3 LAN drivers, and any others for devices for which Windows has used generic drivers.

That should get you running.

[leon]

Well Guys if it were not for all your help I would not be typing this message on the Desk Top. :D :D

I could never have done this with out your help, thank you so much, it is up and running perfectly. :thumbsup: ;)

Leon :thumbsup:

[Octane]

Onya, Leon. Glad to see you back and happy. :)

H

[mithrandir]

Another satisfied customer of IIS Computer Consultants NL. :D

[supernova1965]

Glad to see everything back to normal Well done everyone and well done Leon for not throwing the whole lot out in the street it can get frustrating but if you have good help you get there in the end.:thumbsup:

[leon]

Dead right Warren, ;) I have never taken three days to start a computer in my life. :lol: :lol:

Thanks to all my friends on IIS. :thumbsup:

Leon :thumbsup:

[Jen]

:clap::clap::clap:
Yayyyyyyy way to go Leon these guys in here are legends arnt they :thumbsup:

[Barrykgerdes]

I reckon I have

I have been putting together a new computer now for three days and it still does not go right (to my liking). I had all sorts of problems trying to even get an operating system onto it (XP). Did this eventually with a couple of tricks. The trouble mainly was it would not accept the key even though I knew it was correct. I have the same trouble with Widows 7.

Oh well I will get it sorted out next week but it has been awfully time consuming.:shrug:

Bas