Posted by Anita Posluszny on 11/9/10 10:41am
Msg #360350

Any computer "techies" out there?

My boyfriend and I are baffled. The other day I turned on my computer and after about 2-3 minutes, I blue screened. Would not reboot. A little while later it did reboot but blue screened again. Went on all day like that till if finaly would not reboot at all. Took it to Office Depot. The told me, just on what I told him that it was the Mother Board. Did not physically check it. My boyfriend could not believe it was the Mother Board. The computer is just a year old, just out of warranty. So we left it off all weekend. I used his computer to download and print docs so I could work. Monday I took it to someone who actually tested everything for $25. He found no problem with the Mother Board, processer, memory or hard drive. He plugged it in and it booted up immediatley. Could not find a problem. He seems to think that it has something to do with Vista. That it may be a quick of Vista. He suggessted that I upgrade tp Wondows 7. It has been working fine ever since. Anyone know what this could be?

Thanks
Anita

Reply by jba/fl on 11/9/10 10:52am
Msg #360351

You may have entered the twilight zone..... n/m

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 11/9/10 11:52am
Msg #360384

Since it is working fine now,

it may be good to review with those who use the computer what sites and what was clicked on prior to the computer crashing. There are many "tempting" sites out there that will screw your computer up if you allow them to. You may have great virus and spyware protection, however, if you are surfing and you get a pop-up saying "free money", or "your computer is infected" or some such thing and click on "ok" or "yes" you could be giving that malware program permission to override your security precautions. That is what this sounds like. You got stung.

Windows 7 is nice, but you probably could have fixed it by using your restore disks that came with your computer. Even though I ran the pre-release trial version of Windows 7, I kept Vista as I have the settings worked out and have no issues, so I probably won't upgrade until I need a new computer.

Make sure you have good virus and spyware protection. I actually use free stuff such as Avast virus and Spybot spyware protection.

Remember, though. The best virus protection won't protect you if you override safety protocols by going to questionable websites (not saying anyone did) or downloading email attachments that you are unfamiliar with. Get familiar with how your virus program reacts to a virus and be sure it's your program is warning you against a virus. Many times those pop ups that warn you of virus and / or spyware infection are, in fact, a virus.

Good Luck.

Reply by Bob_Chicago on 11/9/10 10:54am
Msg #360353

Seems to me that your kinootin valve is grenelated. J/K

Sorry , but my computer repair skills are limited to turning it off and then on. Thankfully that works 99% of the time.
I did find a local , qualified rent-a- geek who makes housecalls and is reasonable.

Reply by James Dawson on 11/9/10 10:59am
Msg #360355

It's called the blue screen of death. Google it for complete

explanation.....

BSoDs in Windows operating systems

Reply by Virginia/PA on 11/9/10 11:02am
Msg #360357

Try this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjgE9mPGzdc

Reply by Virginia/PA on 11/9/10 11:07am
Msg #360359

Also try this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oITxnPGSHvM

Reply by Jim/AL on 11/9/10 11:12am
Msg #360363

Not a techie, but have built a few.

Are you running virus protection sware...if so do you have more than one brand/type installed?

Have you run windows update?

Did it happen after any certain thing u did on it or added to it?

Way too many things can cause ole blue...I would make sure u have most recent virus protection and windows updates. I would recommend that u or anyone else install advanced system care (free on numerous sites) and run it at least weekly...very good program to clean up your machine...pretty sure it was PAW or another that told me/us about it and it is great.

Yes, Win 7 would be a more stable OS, but it does cost $$.

Hope this helps and that u solve your prob!

Reply by Frank/NC on 11/9/10 12:23pm
Msg #360393

Jim,
Sorry, I posted without reading yours first.

Reply by C. Rivera Chicago Notary Services on 11/9/10 11:22am
Msg #360370

you're probably going to need a new computer, as your OS

is pretty much screwed.

That blue is called the 'blue screen of death' is just that. And from personal experience, once you see that, its pretty much over with for that computer.

If you still have a warranty on it, start calling to send it in, otherwise, time for a new Christmas present! LOL

Reply by BrendaTx on 11/9/10 4:59pm
Msg #360432

Re: you're probably going to need a new computer, as your OS

*once you see that, its pretty much over with for that computer.*

Not necessarily. It could be a corrupt driver or another corrupt file that won't necessarily bring the entire computer down but it will continue to give you trouble.

It is not necessarily a bad hard drive or a bad motherboard. However, it's time to back up the computer. I use Carbonite.com and highly recommend it. I have had to toss a computer that crashed but was back up in no time on the new one with Carbonite.com.

Reply by Rich/PA on 11/9/10 12:05pm
Msg #360387

Personally I'd use a tried and true approach before spending another dime - format.

Reply by Tess on 11/9/10 12:27pm
Msg #360394

Rich is correct. If the computer is not too outdated, it might be worth it to reformat your hard drive and reinstall your OS (just make sure you have the OS disk on hand though, as some computers do not come with a back-up disk) before giving up on it. Look up on the internet on how to do it; it’s not very hard to do!

Reply by Frank/NC on 11/9/10 12:21pm
Msg #360392

I think that when you start with the blue screen on computers it signals the beginning of the end for the hard drive. Testing may very well indicate that everything is good but you may well see more blue screens in the future. If you install a program called "Advanced system care" and use it to clean up the hard drive, memory, defrag etc. that may prolong the life of the hard drive. Anyway, it is a good program to have on your computer. By the way, it is the same type of program that you hear advertised on radio and TV that tells you that you can "double your speed"
If you download the program to your computer, do so by going through cnet.com in that it is a safe site to use.

Reply by Jim/AL on 11/9/10 12:39pm
Msg #360399

Hmmm, thought I said that already...ASCare n/m

Reply by sueharke on 11/9/10 1:40pm
Msg #360412

Be sure to backup all data and key programs! If you don't you will have a major headache. I suggest getting norton ghost or acronis to backup the entire harddrive and all data. If the harddrive dies, you still have all your data.