[vetsvet]

First, sincerely appreciate this opportunity to get professional help :-) Looking for advice on hardware upgrades, please.

Desktop system is completely inoperative (black SOD after windows flash and a few seconds of left upper corner cursor; only one internal HD recognized in boot menu; DVD-ROM not recognized in boot menu. Thus, am unable to retrieve much more info (like event logs).
Op sys = Win XP SP3.
Motherboard = http://www.asus.com/...ireless_Edition
customized by ABS in 2006 (i.e., out of warranty).
System is used primarily for file sharing TAPER-FRIENDLY Bands, & is essentially on 24 hrs a day.

An XP installation disc is on its way.
1) system came pre-loaded with XP and no disc
2) system will not recognize internal CD-DVD-ROM to use rescue disc that did come with it
3) system will recognize but not boot from a conntected external CD-DVD-ROM containing the rescue disc.

While waiting for XP disc arrival, want to
A - order more RAM
B - upgrade cooling system
C - replace the hard drives, since (i think) i need to reinstall the OS.

Regarding the RAM upgrade,
Crucial advises http://www.crucial.c...=m2n-sli deluxe
Learned I want low voltage, non-buffered, non ECC and the lowest CR number. Don't understand Meg nor rpm enough to select based on those traits.

Regarding cooling -
have not yet done my homework.

About the internal discs
-replacement with WD2500KS-OOMJBO (original equipment) means buying recertified. Would rather install brand new (i think).
-might as well upgrade, as the system only had ~ 60 GB free when it crashed.
-MS help says must re-install XP.
-keep several 2-3 TB externals attached and running. Maybe a bigger, faster dual core will improve speed, yes?
-system is RAID 0, 1 and 5 capable.
-internet connecttion hass T1-like speeds via ethernet cable to a modem (not router). Would consider adding a wireless router, since desktop is already b-g-n ready
-had system set for automatic back up, defrag, windows updates, reg edits after reg backup, and file cleaning. Glad it lasted as long as it did!

My interweb access now is seriously limited, and slow. Will check for responses as often as possible, though.

Huge thanks for any advice forthcoming!
-vetsvet

Edited by vetsvet, 23 December 2011 - 08:28 AM.

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vetsvet
You must first sort out the CD/DVD drive in order to be able to install Xp from the disk!

One of these may help:
1. Uninstall the drive through Device Manager.
Restart computer. The drive will be automatically reinstalled.
or...
2. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314060
Restart computer.
or...
3. Download, and run http://www.dougknox...._cd_dvd_fix.htm
Double click on cdgone.zip to unzip it.
Right click on cdgone.reg, click Merge.
Accept registry merge.
Restart computer.
or...
4. Go to Device Manager, click a "+" sign next to IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers.
You'll see two items:
- ATA Channel0 (or Primary Channel)
- ATA Channel1 (or Secondary Channel)
Right click on each of them, and click Uninstall. Confirm.
Restart Windows. They'll be automatically reinstalled.

Thanks to Broni for the above instructions
Let us know how the above works out.

[phillpower2]

vetsvet
You must first sort out the CD/DVD drive in order to be able to install Xp from the disk!

One of these may help:
1. Uninstall the drive through Device Manager.
Restart computer. The drive will be automatically reinstalled.
or...
2. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314060
Restart computer.
or...
3. Download, and run http://www.dougknox...._cd_dvd_fix.htm
Double click on cdgone.zip to unzip it.
Right click on cdgone.reg, click Merge.
Accept registry merge.
Restart computer.
or...
4. Go to Device Manager, click a "+" sign next to IDE ATA/ATAPI Controllers.
You'll see two items:
- ATA Channel0 (or Primary Channel)
- ATA Channel1 (or Secondary Channel)
Right click on each of them, and click Uninstall. Confirm.
Restart Windows. They'll be automatically reinstalled.

Thanks to Broni for the above instructions
Let us know how the above works out.

[vetsvet]

Grateful for the welcome, phillpower2, and to you and Broni for the advice.

Since I cannot log in to windows on the problematic computer, seems none of these suggestions are options for me.
I cannot access the control panel nor the local system management tool.
Even in safe mode, windows will not open. The internal DVD-ROM is recognized on the boot menu, though disc contents on it are not.
If there is another method (through a command prompt, maybe?), please advise. Kindly note that command prompt useage would be new territory for me <eek>.

Do have an external CD-DVD-ROM I can attach. That is recognized in the boot menu, but it will not open the contents of that, either.

Am posting these messages from a 2002-vintage Win XP v. 2002 SP2 laptop with 1.2 GHz - 512 mb RAM. It is slow, but at least it allows 'net access :-)

Appreciate your efforts.

Happy holidays!

-vetsvet

Edited by vetsvet, 24 December 2011 - 06:36 AM.

[iammykyl]

Until Phillpower2 gets back, some suggestions.

1. Clear the CMOS and restart the PC.

2. Try last known good by pressing F8 while booting.

3. Can you move the DVD drive to a different channel?

4. Enter BIOS and make the DVD the first boot drive.

5 Swap the OS HDD to the DATA HDD channel and leave the Data HDD disconnected.

[phillpower2]

Hi vetsvet, pulling the CMOS battery (see .jpeg below) as suggested by iammykyl will require the case to be opened so take the opportunity to clean out any heat trapping dust "how to" safely below + a couple more things you can check out;

If the computer needs cleaning out, first remove the power cord from the wall and open up the case, take anti static precautions before touching anything inside, you can do this by touching a bare metal part of the case, remove the video card, blow out the slot and re-seat the card securely, do the same with the memory sticks, clean all internal fans, if you use canned compressed air do not let any fan spin freely this can damage them, use something like a clean lollipop stick to hold fan/s still.
Make sure all internal connections are secure and that there are no loose components, write down the psu details (make and model) re-assemble the computer, boot up and see how it goes.

Just a cautionary note, if you do use canned compressed air do not upend the can as it is possible for fluid to be emitted.

.jpeg courtesy of rshaffer61

[vetsvet]

Much obliged for these suggestions, phillpower2 and iammykyl.

My experience with component swap-out and work inside computer cases is limited to a single vid card change. Please be patient. Explicit instructions are most welcome, as I work with flesh in my real life, not machines.
Will definitely try the CMOS battery change, as the one present is the original. Case has only been cleaned inside once (when the vid card was replaced), so this is likely long over-due.
Tried last known good configuration before coming here --> no joy.
Changing the boot to DVD drive before visiting geekstogo (dot) com -->no joy.


Do not understand the channel change mentioned in iammykyl's item 3 <confused>. Ditto item 5 (drive swapping).
Likewise, did not know that cleaning a fan while allowing it to move was a bad idea. Grateful for the education!

Will try to research same, once the family holiday is done, and return with results.
BTW, XP disc has arrived :-). Got no further than opening the Fed Ex package, though.
Love the holidays; just not the ideal time for computer trouble-shooting <grin>. For some reason, family thinks they should come first! <hee hee hee>

Wishes to all for a grand day,
-vetsvet

Edited by vetsvet, 25 December 2011 - 08:32 AM.

[phillpower2]

Hi vetsvet, thank you for the follow up and for letting us know you had guests so there may be some time between posts.
Now you have the Xp disk you just need the available free time to do a Repair installation, see below;

There are different methods of setting the boot sequence see http://www.hiren.inf...bios-boot-cdrom please note I am not suggesting or endorsing any other product or service there.

Please follow the guide provided courtesy of Admin http://www.geekstogo...air-windows-xp/
We will wait for an update from yourself when you are ready, enjoy the festivities

[vetsvet]

Most of the kids and their kids are gone. Thanks for allowing family to come first ;-)

Cleaned out the inside of the case (am mortified at how badly that was needed!). Changed the battery (seemed logical to replace the original from 2006).
Not that I'm certain, but visually, everything seemed to be connected.

Failed to record the power supply info when case was open. My bad.

CPU is AMD socket AM2. Four fans are present--one on the heat sink overlying the CPU, one on the back of the case, and one on the case front: these 3 work. The fourth fan (on the side of the case) is blue plastic with blue lights. Lights work but fins do not rotate. The motor and blades on this fan are a bit over 7 inches in diameter. The one video card is ATI HD2900XT.

This system was custom-built for a gamer, who 'outgrew' it and sold it to me for a most reasonable price, in 2008. It's worked like a champ until now.
The case looks like this picture, and has a 'Chakra' logo on the front.
http://www.reviewed....I/external.htm.

Have the ABS manual but not the build sheet. Though the ABS paperwork says it is an Ultimate M6 Sniper, it does not look like nor have the components a google search showed for the Ultimate M6 Sniper. If the ABS serial number or order number would allow one to learn more about it, please LMK.

When started after the cleaning, system behaved the same as before cleaning, though it was quieter, and the internal CD-DVD-ROM did not click and spin continuously (like before). IOW, the internal ROM 'sounded' like it worked normally.

Changed the boot menu to use the internal CD-DVD-ROM. Never got the 'boot from the CD' request; just got the black screen.
Connected the external CD-DVD-ROM containing the Win XP installation disk. Changed the boot menu to boot from the external (Plextor) CD-DVD-ROM. That pulled up the windows Set up, just like in Admin's tutorial. Several minutes of file loading occurred. Hooray!

Instead of getting the chance to choose set up or recover, 'one of your disks needs to be checked for consistency' notice popped up. Allowed CHKDSK to run. Files verified. Over a screen's worth of recovered orphaned files were noted during 'verifying indexes' (& i think they were 'fixed' somehow --went too fast for me to read & comprehend). Computer restarted itself after index verification completed. It again requested to run CHKDSK, so I allowed it. Files, indexes, security, and Journal verified. The machine restarted, and the windows flash screen appeared.

Soon after, so did the black screen. Waited over 60 minutes with just the black screen on the monitor. During that time, the heat sink fan powered on and off roughly every 7 minutes, the monitor screen stayed black, and the hard drive activity LED blinked intermittantly. At this point, I shut the system down, composed this, and am ready to end the troubleshooting for today.

I will check back tomorrow in case of any new responses. Apologies if these descriptions are mundane or sophmorish. Not sure what is relevant, so I've endeavored to relay as much as possible. Thanks for your patience.

A good day/evening to you all,
-vetsvet

Edited by vetsvet, 26 December 2011 - 10:00 PM.

[iammykyl]

Disconnect the external DVD. Make sure there is no disc in the PC DVD ROM.

Open the case and disconnect the 4th fan that does not work. Make a note of the PSU make and model,

After you changed the CMOS battery, did you enter BIOS, Set the time, date, region and language?
You should then go to exit, find and highlight the item, Load optimised defaults.
press Enter,
Highlight, Save and exit.
Press enter.

Your PC will start and hopefully load windows.

If no good.

Restart the PC and hold down F8 to see if you can access, Last Known Good.

[phillpower2]

Instead of getting the chance to choose set up or recover,

You require the Repair option (Press R) not the recovery option.
To add to what iammykyl has suggested you should also try placing the video card in the second pci-e slot, if still no lick try starting in Safe Mode with Networking (for driver downloads).

[vetsvet]

iammykyl,

Setting the date, time and language, plus selecting the optiomized defaults, allowed the windows repair 8-) Thanks ever so much for those suggestions.

When the system rebooted using the XP install disk, it gave me the black screen. Changed boot to internal hard drive & rebooted. System again ran CHKDSK.
This time, file, index, security descriptors and journal all verified.
System rebooted. Windows flash screen was followed by the black screen.
Shut down, set boot menu to use the ROM containing the Win XP disk as first priority.
Restarted. System again ran CHKDSK. This time, tried to abort CHKDSK. System ignored command to do so. Found no errors on CHKDSK then gave black screen without loading XP.
Removed installation disk, changed to boot from internal hard disk. Rebooted, system ran CHKDSK (would not abort) followed by black screen.

Shut down. Restarted. Entered safe mode. Selected last known good config. Got Win flash screen then black screen.

Shut down. Removed XP install disk, inserted ABS recovery disk, shut down. Tried a normal start. This time, not even a windows flash screen occurred, but the black screen did...

----------------
EDIT --
Just saw the recommendation to swap locations for vid card.
Will try then upon my return, get the psu info, and report back.
May all the kindness shown here return to you 1000-fold!
---------------


Must be gone a few hours (family member has to be taken to a specialist MD). Will check back ASAP. My appreciation for all the patience and assistance!
-vetsvet

Edited by vetsvet, 27 December 2011 - 08:28 AM.

[phillpower2]

The link below states that your video card requires a PSU with a minimum 550W output + the card also requires two 2x3-pin PCIe® power connectors, please ensure both are connected when you check the PSU details, you can also download the latest drivers for your card from there, bad or no video drivers may also be the cause of the black screens you are having http://www.amd.com/u...quirements.aspx

The integrity of the actual HDD needs to be checked + can you provide us with the exact details of the Xp disk you are attempting to use, the older the disk the less likely it is that there is a generic Windows driver on it for your video card.
We can continue when you are ready.

[vetsvet]

Could not use safe mode with networking, as computer froze when that was selected.
Only know of three ways to check the hard drive --CHKDSK, using the app in the properties menu when a component is selected, and by using the manufacturer's app (WD Drive manager, IIRC). Do not have another desktop to move this internal HD to check it elsewhere.

The fan on the side of the case is disconnected.
The power supply unit is a Silverstone model ST1000, rated for 1000 watts max.
Removed, cleaned out connectors, and replaced the 2 mem cards (Corsair SM 2x1024-640064) and the graphics card.
All 6-pin PCI and 8-pin PCI express connections are tight.

At start up, there is nothing on the the monitor, not even a cursor. No longer hear the internal hard drive spinning. Green light on motherboard says MB is getting juice.

Any suggestions?
<shaking her head in disbelief...>

Will check back in about 12 hours. Time for rest. Maybe the sun will shine tomorrow <grin>.

Dec 28 AM addendum --
Have two discs.
1)from ABS, titled 'Restore Disc'. States on label, "use of the Restore Function on this DEVD-ROM can erase all partititions on the drive and erase all the data".

2)ordered last week, from Microsoft, labeled "Windows XP Pro EN NA CustSVC CD w/SP2".

Edited by vetsvet, 28 December 2011 - 08:52 AM.

[iammykyl]

With no disc in the DVD ROM drive, When you start the computer, can you still get a BIOS screen?

[vetsvet]

nope.
Nothing is on the monitor now, no matter with or without disc, pressing DEL, TAB, F5, nor F8.

Think it is time to call on the local computer store to check for hardware malfunction.
Do you agree?