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Thread: Hello HEXUS peoples... I have a problem

  1. #1
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    Hello HEXUS peoples... I have a problem

    As most of you who know/knew me probably remember, I am a tech-noob with only a laptop. Or shall I say, I *was*..

    As of yesterday my laptop has all but suicided itself, leaving right up ****-creek without a paddle, seeing as how I use it for maybe 95% of my time, for various reasons. Let me try to explain..

    The colours in the screen are running, pixelated, freezing, crashing programs within seconds, resolution went to lowest possible at random, BSOD a lot and finally it just refuses to even get to the welcome screen any more, just BSOD/crash and screen all weird. There is no denying it is at the end of the line.

    Firstly, I would like to know if I may be able to save my old documents somehow, anyhow (I couldn't do it myself because I have no idea) - I can't login to my account to save them onto a USB stick or whatever, even.

    Secondly, I seriously doubt it is fixable, so how much would I be looking at to get a new computer? Right now I would go for a desktop or a laptop, I need it good (at least as good as old was) but cheap because I am currently unemployed.. but getting a computer is top priority to me.

    For reference, my old one was Samsung R700 (linky.. but not sure how much or little info this may give).

    One last thing, I would like the mods to *not* move this if it's in a bad place (at least yet) seeing as how I'm a tech-noob.

    Please help me

  2. #2
    Banhammer in peace PeterB kalniel's Avatar
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    Re: Hello HEXUS peoples... I have a problem

    Firstly, is it actually not getting to the welcome screen, or just not displaying the welcome screen? If the latter then try plugging the laptop into an external monitor.

    If the former then the computer is probably bust (which can be of a varying degree), but the good news is that yes you can get your documents etc out. They will all be on the hard drive, which on most laptops is relatively easily user-accessible.

    You can either remove the hard drive yourself and then slot it into an adaptor for a desktop PC/other laptop (eg something like this http://www.amazon.co.uk/IOMAX-Enclos...ref=pd_cp_ce_2 - may not be the exact one you need), or if you're not sure it's an easy job for your local computer support guy or shop.

  3. #3
    G4Z
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    Re: Hello HEXUS peoples... I have a problem

    Sounds to me like a software problem rather than hardware.

    First things first you need to get all your documents off it, provided they are not buried in your user profile (desktop, my documents etc) it should be fairly easy otherwise you might have to mess on taking ownership of the files which if you not very techie might pose a small problem. first thing I would try is booting in safe mode and copying the data onto a USB stick, failing that you can pop the hard disk out and stick it in a USB caddy or into a desktop PC. Again there are a few issues with removing the HD, firstly you need to establish if its an IDE or SATA disk so you can get the correct adaptor/caddy. Once you get it into another machine though you should be able to browse to teh files and copy them off.

    Once you have the files off I would reccoment a format/reinstall of windows.

    If you feel you can't manage any of that I would suggest you find a techie mate in your vicinity to do it for you and pay attention for the next time (there is always a next time, lol)

    Hope that helps
    HEXUS FOLDING TEAM It's EASY

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    Re: Hello HEXUS peoples... I have a problem

    Kalniel and G4Z seem to have answered your software questions, but you mentioned replacement cost.

    If you take £600 as a rough guide (based on your link) then you could get a pretty nice laptop or a very nice desktop (I built an AMD quad core, 4GB RAM rig for warwick photosoc recently for £500 including a 22" monitor - no gfx, but you could add it on to hit under £600).

    Essentially you could get a replacement for any price - but the key factors are your budget and your needs.

    No chance it's a virus/faulty RAM or anything like that?

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    Re: Hello HEXUS peoples... I have a problem

    JK, just looking at the spec of that laptop and it has an nVidia gfx chip in it.

    The symptoms that you are getting are exactly the same as the hundreds of laptops that we have had a work with an nVidia card in it of a certain age. They had an issue with the chips at fabrication IRC. Chances are you have the same issue, the only way to tell would be a clean install but the strange pixalation, crashing and hanging is the first sign of failure.

    Does it blue screen now? If so what error are you getting?

    I can't say for certain but I would put money on it being related to that.

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    Re: Hello HEXUS peoples... I have a problem

    Ok, update:

    I started in safe mode as G4Z suggested, although totally unsure of what I was doing. The laptop didn't read any USB or disc that I put in it though, so couldn't take my stuff off... however, the weird lines on the screen disappeared after a while. (The colour was running before too, and this stopped at the same time). Loaded up in normal mode and it *seems* to be working now..? I don't know, this whole thing is giving me a headache still.

    I'll get a new computer anyway, from how much I rely on having a comp of my own I can't rely on this one any more in case the same happens but worse, also mine is getting on a bit and laptops don't last forever... in this case, the cheapest option would be to build one of my own, right (if desktop obviously)? I tend to use mostly for gaming, internet and office-related programs, any more advice on directions I could take on new comps would be appreciated (keeping in mind I'm a noob lol..).

    99 - The BSODs didn't last for long enough for me to read them and in any case the lines all over the screen made it impossible to read anyway. But thanks for the info, I hope it is only something *little* like that..

    kalniel - the sound is still working fine and it was quiet so I assume it wasn't getting there at all. Sometimes it was BSOD before then, sometimes the screen just got bad and crashed.


    As everything seems to be ok *for now* (I'm using it right this second), should it be ok to continue using as normal until I can get a replacement? I guess it's a bit hard to say without actually being here and seeing what was up, but if you have any opinion anyway it would be much appreciated.


    Thanks all for the fast and good responses. HEXUS is still ftw it seems

  7. #7
    Banhammer in peace PeterB kalniel's Avatar
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    Re: Hello HEXUS peoples... I have a problem

    It won't have fixed itself, and it does sound like it could be the known nvidia mobile chip problem, which is exacerbated by heat. Keep it cool, don't play any 3d games etc. and you'll maximise the remaining life, but I wouldn't rely on it.

    I'll get a new computer anyway, from how much I rely on having a comp of my own I can't rely on this one any more in case the same happens but worse, also mine is getting on a bit and laptops don't last forever... in this case, the cheapest option would be to build one of my own, right (if desktop obviously)?
    Not always, especially if currency or supply and demand has an effect on component prices which they seem to at the moment - large companies can mitigate these factors much more easily than an amateur builder. But as always you just have to have a look - finding a cheap deal on a Dell don't cost you anything other than time.

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    Re: Hello HEXUS peoples... I have a problem

    yeah.. I should have known it wouldn't last. It fell to hell again while I was making a hard copy... all I can do I guess is look for a deal asap and hope I can afford it

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    Re: Hello HEXUS peoples... I have a problem

    If it would help I have a P4 base unit you could borrow if you want something in the mean time to use while you sort something out, that said though getting it out to you might be a bit of a problem.

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    Goron goron Kumagoro's Avatar
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    Re: Hello HEXUS peoples... I have a problem

    Sounds like the GPU on the mainboard may need a reflow.

  11. #11
    SiM
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    Re: Hello HEXUS peoples... I have a problem

    you gotta undownload all that porn if you want to get it working again


  12. #12
    HEXUS.timelord. Zak33's Avatar
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    Re: Hello HEXUS peoples... I have a problem

    you could takre the hard drive out (little skiiny thing in a laptop) and plug it into another workingPC and just copy everything across. If it's the laptop hasrdware dying, the drive wil work fine in another PC.

    You might need either a USB external hard drivecase to slip the laptop hard drive into... or atiny little cable to cnvert it from alaptop connector to a standard PC one.

    Where are you JK?

    PM me if you're near-ish to Alyesbury/MK

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  13. #13
    Banhammer in peace PeterB kalniel's Avatar
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    Re: Hello HEXUS peoples... I have a problem

    As for replacements.. do you do much 3d gaming? If it's light stuff like WoW etc. then you're fine with an intel integrated chip, which brings the price right down. For eg you could get a dual core dell inspiron 15" laptop with the following spec for £400 delivered (includes upgrades to HDD, CPU and battery. If you game you can go to an ATI chip for £40 more):

    Code:
    	Date	 	14/05/2010 04:14:10 Central Standard Time
    	Catalog Number	 	20211 Retail ukdhs1
    	Catalog Number / Description	 	Product Code	 	Qty	 	SKU	 	Id
    	Colour Choice:
    Black Colour with Matte Finish	 	187652	 	1	 	[320-10314]	 	380
    	Base:
    Intel® Celeron Dual Core T3100 (1.90 GHz, 800 MHz FSB, 1 MB L2 Cache)	 	375957	 	1	 	[210-31386]	 	1
    	Microsoft Operating System:
    Genuine Windows® 7 Home Premium 64bit- English	 	301477	 	1	 	[545-10004][619-18918][640-10785][640-11714][640-12191][640-12205]	 	11
    	Microsoft Application Software:
    Microsoft® Works 9.0 / English - (Does not include Microsoft® Word)	 	199678	 	1	 	[630-12198]	 	1002
    	Enhanced Service Packs:
    1 year of coverage included with your PC	 	321942	 	1	 	[754-56795]	 	30
    	Protect your new PC:
    McAfee® SecurityCenter 15 Month Subscription	 	404409	 	1	 	[650-13184]	 	1014
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    Computrace LoJack for Laptops, 1yr license - included with your PC	 	365257	 	1	 	[773-10277][773-10287]	 	478
    	Accidental Damage Support:
    No Accidental Damage Support	 	327717	 	1	 	[755-10532]	 	463
    	Online Backup:
    DataSafe Online Backup 2GB 1 year	 	181706	 	1	 	[759-10296][764-10281]	 	467
    	LCD:
    15.6" Widescreen WXGA WLED (1366 x 768) TFT Display with TrueLife™	 	199676	 	1	 	[230-10251]	 	760
    	Memory:
    2048MB 800MHz Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM [2x1024]	 	180903	 	1	 	[370-13693]	 	3
    	Hard Drive:
    500GB (5400RPM) Serial ATA Hard Drive	 	195285	 	1	 	[400-15845]	 	8
    	Video Card:
    Intel Integrated GMA 4500MHD	 	205481	 	1	 	[490-11107]	 	6
    	Optical Devices:
    DVD +/- RW Drive (read/write CD & DVD) with DVD Burn software	 	301997	 	1	 	[429-14445]	 	16
    	Primary Battery:
    Primary 6-cell 48 WHr Lithium Ion battery	 	187590	 	1	 	[451-10664]	 	112
    	Wireless Networking:
    Dell Wireless 1397 Mini Card (802.11 b/g)	 	159247	 	1	 	[555-11434]	 	19
    	Bluetooth:
    No Bluetooth Upgrade	 	96363	 	1	 	[555-10933]	 	59
    	Camera:
    No Camera Included	 	187650	 	1	 	[319-10069]	 	379
    	Telephone Contact:
    NO - Dell may NOT telephone me in relation to my order and related products and services	 	354878	 	1	 	[817-10088]	 	559
    	Gedis Bundle Reference:
    N0554502	 	401551	 	1	 	[200-67485]	 	22
    	Order Information:
    Inspiron 1545 Order - UK	 	188762	 	1	 	[799-11081]	 	111
    	Shipping Documents:
    English - Documentation Inspiron 1545	 	187598	 	1	 	[340-15894]	 	21
    	Dell System Media Kit:
    Inspiron 1545 Resource DVD (Diagnostic & Drivers)	 	187651	 	1	 	[340-15913]	 	319
    	Power Supply:
    65W AC Adaptor	 	187591	 	1	 	[450-12272]	 	1015
    	Carrying Cases:
    No Carry Case	 	5759	 	1	 	[460-10041]	 	118
    	Cables:
    1 Meter Power Cord - UK	 	187663	 	1	 	[450-12280]	 	20
    	Keyboard:
    Internal UK English Qwerty Keyboard	 	187623	 	1	 	[583-12272]	 	4
    	Standard Warranty:
    1 year Collect & Return Hardware Support included with your PC	 	321937	 	1	 	[754-56794]	 	29
    	Labels:
    Wireless Label - Celeron	 	167592	 	1	 	[555-11447]	 	750
    	PalmRest:
    Black palmrest	 	205482	 	1	 	[214-10089]	 	55
    	Call Dell Experts:
    One free Dell Expert call to help with your PC queries within 60 days of purchase	 	341357	 	1	 	[676-10045]	 	554
    	DataSafe (Services Owned):
    Datasafe Local 2.0 Basic	 	284130	 	1	 	[640-11632]	 	813
    http://configure.euro.dell.com/dells...N0054502&s=dhs

  14. Received thanks from:

    JK Ferret (14-05-2010)

  15. #14
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    Re: Hello HEXUS peoples... I have a problem

    @ Behemoth: Thanks for the offer, not sure what that is but sounds like it needs other parts to work with it? In which case it's not any good. Also I don't think you live near to where I am, so.. yeah :/

    @ SiM: /facepalm

    @ Zak: Bristol, so only maybe 100+ miles.. close enough? lol >.< I think my best bet is to take it to some more expert people near me and see what I can get done..

    @ kalniel: That link is looking absolutely fantastic, thanks

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    Re: Hello HEXUS peoples... I have a problem

    Quote Originally Posted by JK Ferret View Post
    @ Behemoth: Thanks for the offer, not sure what that is but sounds like it needs other parts to work with it? In which case it's not any good. Also I don't think you live near to where I am, so.. yeah :/

    @ SiM: /facepalm

    @ Zak: Bristol, so only maybe 100+ miles.. close enough? lol >.< I think my best bet is to take it to some more expert people near me and see what I can get done..

    @ kalniel: That link is looking absolutely fantastic, thanks
    It's a fully working tower which has everything it needs to operate

    But yeah location is an issue then, no worries just thought I'd offer a fellow hexite some help in his time of need.

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