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Wronguy
Registered: 03/05/05
Posts: 4,450
Last seen: 12 years, 7 months
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New computer problems. Please help.
#5496143 - 04/09/06 10:32 AM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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I don't really know where to begin other than to say how upset I am. I received my computer today and started having problems from the start. The computer turns on but there appears to be a problem with the operating system installation, as it doesn't boot. I get a small flash of the XP logo and then nothing. I even tried to reinstall the operating system with the disk I was provided and it now hangs on the "Installing Windows" screen. The installation ultimately fails during the "Installing Devices" portion of the installation of windows. My monitor begins to flash several times and I get a blue screen error that the "problem seems to be caused by the following file: framebuf". It then goes on to say that the device driver got stuck in an infinite loop. A physical dump of the memory occurs and the computer shuts down.
I have tried to boot in safe mode, using F8, but it only gives me a choice to boot from hard drive, DVD drive, or floppy. I was thinking that I need to get to a command prompt and format the drive, essentially wiping it clean. From there I was going to attempt to do a clean install of Windows XP Pro. What do you guys think, bad computer or is this a software issue?
Here are the specs for my computer:
Magic 955 Extreme Series (P4 3.4GHz, 16x PCI- E, 1GB DDR2, SATA, DVDRW ) Intel Pentium 4 650 3.4GHz, (800 FSB) 2048K Socket 775 Spire Socket 775 Intel P4 fan ECS PT880PRO-1 ,AGP & PCI Express, DDR & DDR2, S-ATA, Sound, LAN 2GB (2x1GB) PC4200 DDR2 533 Dual Channel ATI Radeon 9800XT 256MB DDR 8X AGP dual head, tv out 300.0GB Maxtor 7200rpm SERIAL ATA UDMA 150 16m Cache LG 16x DVD Recorder Dual Layer +R/RW -R/RW Mitsumi 3.5" floppy disk 1.44 Mb Crystal Sound 4 channel 5.1 PCI sound card Realtek 10/100 Network card Chenbro Xpider Orange screwless Case ATX 450W, side window & front USB Black Windows Keyboard, 104 key, PS/2 Microsoft Wireless Optical Mouse w/Tilt Wheel Microsoft Windows XP Professional 600W Dual Fan ATX Power Supply Any help you folks can offer would certainly be helpful. The company, Magicmicro, is not open until tomorrow so I can't get any help from them right now.
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daimyo
Monticello

Registered: 05/13/04
Posts: 7,751
Last seen: 12 years, 19 hours
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Re: New computer problems. Please help. [Re: Wronguy]
#5496608 - 04/09/06 01:33 PM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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What disk are you using to try and reinstall Windows? Is there an option to go to the "Recovery Console"? Can you get into your BIOS?
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"I have sworn upon the altar of God eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man."
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Bully
CheapShot-SinisterStrike

Registered: 07/30/04
Posts: 3,229
Loc: Pennsyltucky, USA
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Re: New computer problems. Please help. [Re: Wronguy]
#5496685 - 04/09/06 02:05 PM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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if I bought a computer that was preinstalled with Windows, I would format and reinstall XP pro before I even installed 1 other program. I've seen Dells with a cheaper copy of windows xp installed right from the factory that mess up. Try a format.
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Wronguy
Registered: 03/05/05
Posts: 4,450
Last seen: 12 years, 7 months
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Re: New computer problems. Please help. [Re: Bully]
#5496749 - 04/09/06 02:26 PM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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The problem is that I can't even get to a command prompt to format the drive. I need a utility to boot from that will allow the format to occur. I've tried just about everything else.
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RuNE
bomberman


Registered: 09/23/00
Posts: 2,331
Loc: tartarus
Last seen: 7 years, 11 months
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Re: New computer problems. Please help. [Re: Wronguy]
#5497181 - 04/09/06 04:53 PM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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I'm not sure about the other problems, but when reinstalling windows, if the computer hangs around the 'detecting devices' aka around the infamous '33-35 minute' part, the best chance is that one of your PCI cards is causing the trouble. There is even a microsoft article about this.
I just had this problem a few days ago. I decided to reinstall my 5 yr old PC that was upgraded from WinME to XP with a clean XP install. It kept freezing and freezing @ 34 mins. I reformated, reinstalled same thing over and over. While a number of things could cause this problem, the first thing to try is:
1. Remove all PCI devices, strip any external USB devices. Have only the most basic needs of a PC hooked up.
2. Change RAM.
3. Change video card. Especialy if above 128MB. I've heard if it hangs with this card, an 'overnight wait' will let the install keep going. But thats lame.
I took out all PCI cards (i had lots, sound/LAN/USB was not built into MB's 5 yrs ago) and it installed fine. Then i put it back in after SP2 was loaded and it froze again! Everything seem to install fine in winXP, then it would freeze after a weird 'click' noise from the PC. Only a few minutes later did i realize....the sound was the exact same sound as a 56k modem 'picking up' the line. So sure enough i took out the ancient modem i havent used since i got DSL and voila. No more freezes.
I hope that solves a part of your problems.
-------------------- ~Happy sailing~
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barfightlard
tales of theinexpressible



Registered: 01/29/03 
Posts: 8,670
Loc: Canoodia
Last seen: 14 years, 1 month
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Re: New computer problems. Please help. [Re: RuNE]
#5498357 - 04/09/06 10:57 PM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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Good advice. I highly doubt it's your video card though.
www.bootdisk.com
will let you get into dos.
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"What business is it of yours what I do, read, buy, see, say, think, who I fuck, what I take into my body - as long as I do not harm another human being on this planet?" - Bill Hicks
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supra
computerEnthusiast
Registered: 10/26/03
Posts: 6,446
Loc: TEXAS
Last seen: 12 years, 9 months
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Re: New computer problems. Please help. [Re: Wronguy]
#5498554 - 04/10/06 12:00 AM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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sounds to me like the harddrive is defective, it is worth a check, and if it is new, does it atleast have warranty or something so you can get it fixed for free?
peace
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Wronguy
Registered: 03/05/05
Posts: 4,450
Last seen: 12 years, 7 months
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Re: New computer problems. Please help. [Re: supra]
#5500406 - 04/10/06 04:34 PM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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Thank you for all your help people. I really do appreciate it. There were a couple of issues that I found out was wrong with the system. First, the BIOS was looking for a RAID drive, not an IDE drive. Second, my video card is no good.
RuNE, your insight probably saved us hours of searching for the problem with the help desk. As soon as I mentioned your comment about a possible bad video card we skipped all the other steps he would have made me go through and pinpointed the problem. Thank you very much!
Anyway, new video card is on it's way.
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RuNE
bomberman


Registered: 09/23/00
Posts: 2,331
Loc: tartarus
Last seen: 7 years, 11 months
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Re: New computer problems. Please help. [Re: Wronguy]
#5501899 - 04/10/06 11:25 PM (17 years, 9 months ago) |
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np dude, glad i could help. Although it sounds like you haven't really had the chance to see if the 'solution' is working yet.
I hope it does when you get the new video. 
Keep us updated.
-------------------- ~Happy sailing~
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