[The Skeptic]

I didn't read throughout the history of this and previous threads concerning your computer but I can appreciate your frustration. However, I have a feeling that your computer can still be fixed if you want to give it a try. First we would like to diagnose your hardware systematically.

1: Open the box and disconnect all unnecessary drives. disconnect the power connectors and flat cables. Discionnect the flat cables on the motherboard side. Leave only HD, ram, videocard and monitor, mouse and keyboard. remove all pci cards, usb devices, printer etc. While the computer is open check that all fans spin freely and there is no dust clogging the heatsink. clean if necessary. Boot the computer. Any difference? If the answer is no:

2: Enter device manager and uninstall all the drivers concerning cd rom/dvd. Reboot. Any difference? If no:

2: Try to get a replacement video card. You can get any old pci card with minimum memory. that is still fine. If you get one, remove the present card and install the replacement. Don't worry about drivers. Let it run on windows default driver. Reboot. Any difference? If no:

3: If possible, try ro replace the power supply unit, temporarily, with another unit. This is a very simple procedure. Power supply units are a major source for all kind of problems. many times the problem doesn't seem to be related to power supply, but it is. Very often the first test that I make is to replace the power supply. Boot the computer. Any difference? If no:

A: Download, install and run Everest home edition. Click: computer > sensor. Report temperatures of cpu, Hd, motherboard. Also report system voltages (in the same place). Report only these parameters. We do not need the entire report. Please leave Everest open and check temp flactuations. Let it run for 20 minutes at least and report minimum and maximum. Please report if there are sudden flactuations.

B: Google for mtinst.exe. Download it from microsoft, make a bootable floppy or disk and run the program. It's an excellent ram testing program. Let it run for at least 30 minutes and report if there are any errors. We want to test the ram.

C: start > run > chkdsk /r > enter. Run a windows checkup of your disk. If possible, download from the HD manufacturer's site a HD diagnostic program. Use it to check the HD. Run a burning test if available. We want to check the disk under heavy load.


This would be enough for the moment.

Edited by The Skeptic, 10 February 2006 - 12:36 PM.