OT Computer Expert Needed
- Thread starter Lacy
- Start date
Desktop or laptop?
I would run some virus and spyware scans, defrag the hard drive, you can also check the error log to try and get some insight on what exactly is happening....How old is it? How long since it was last reformatted.
If it is happening VERY frequently, you might consider just wiping the whole thing and re-installing a fresh version of the operating system. That will fix anything that is not hardware related. If it is hardware related, then the hardware just needs replacement.
I used to work at an IT center in college.......(not geek squad, it was run by the university's computer science department)
I would run some virus and spyware scans, defrag the hard drive, you can also check the error log to try and get some insight on what exactly is happening....How old is it? How long since it was last reformatted.
If it is happening VERY frequently, you might consider just wiping the whole thing and re-installing a fresh version of the operating system. That will fix anything that is not hardware related. If it is hardware related, then the hardware just needs replacement.
I used to work at an IT center in college.......(not geek squad, it was run by the university's computer science department)
+1
I find that PCs (Windows operated machines) require reformatting after several years no matter how well you take care of them. Its just not in the nature of a PC to be stable without needing to wipe the drive and start fresh after some time.
However, if its a newer machine (0-2 or 3 yrs), I would definitely try to run all kinds of scans and setup a defrag schedule so it runs weekly. I personally feel though that registry cleaners/scanners are a quick fix that end up making your computer even more buggy in the long run.
On my computer I have scheduled weekly virus, spyware, malware, defrag, and disk cleanup scans and its done the trick for me. I do know that its only a matter of time before I need to reformat and start fresh.
I find that PCs (Windows operated machines) require reformatting after several years no matter how well you take care of them. Its just not in the nature of a PC to be stable without needing to wipe the drive and start fresh after some time.
However, if its a newer machine (0-2 or 3 yrs), I would definitely try to run all kinds of scans and setup a defrag schedule so it runs weekly. I personally feel though that registry cleaners/scanners are a quick fix that end up making your computer even more buggy in the long run.
On my computer I have scheduled weekly virus, spyware, malware, defrag, and disk cleanup scans and its done the trick for me. I do know that its only a matter of time before I need to reformat and start fresh.
Yes if reformatted you will lose everything. SO if you need to go that route, you need to back up everything before you reformat and reinstall. That is more like the big hammer approach, sure you can get it fixed with some spyware cleaners and such withotu the big hammer [ie. spybot, adaware].
BrassMonkey
Member
hey, i have a computer question to. mind if i post it here when your done instead of starting another thread. i know theres alot of IT guys on here.
Jeff I would like to take a big hammer to it and give it a big whack. :hammer:
Kromix you will have to pm me your number. I had it but I had problems with my phone and they sent me a new one. Of course the info did not transfer over like it was suposed to so I lost everything including all my RC numbers. If Mike cant fix it before Monday he will give you a call if he is home. He is on call then so who knows!
Nstiesi its a desk top.
Brassmonkey I don't mind if you ask here.
Thanks for all the suggestions. Unfortunately, most if not all of this stuff goes right over my head. As soon as Mike gets home I will have him read these suggestions and see what he can do.
Thanks
Kromix you will have to pm me your number. I had it but I had problems with my phone and they sent me a new one. Of course the info did not transfer over like it was suposed to so I lost everything including all my RC numbers. If Mike cant fix it before Monday he will give you a call if he is home. He is on call then so who knows!
Nstiesi its a desk top.
Brassmonkey I don't mind if you ask here.
Thanks for all the suggestions. Unfortunately, most if not all of this stuff goes right over my head. As soon as Mike gets home I will have him read these suggestions and see what he can do.
Thanks
BrassMonkey
Member
. im trying to make my own "economy" server. the ones from dell are to expensive and im networking a max of 10 computers.the new server will be running raid 10
the mobo has integrated raid support but shoud i get a raid controller or use the mobo for raid?
can i add an extra ethernet card? will just one be fast enough?
im running quickbooks, internet, paperless(fortis), another data base type program, and maybe ad a fax server.
ITS running ms server 03
eon
ಠ_ಠ
Lacy- if you need any help let me know i do all of keith's (macawmagic) IT work i can revive almost any computer.
Brassmonkey - mobo raid is fine itll be the same as ur average card, higher end ones give u more features like email alerts on a failed drive and so on but they are a pretty penny.adding an extra nic is not really gonna increase speed its mainly used when ur using them as an in and out ie: firewall, u should be good with server03 its really stable i have it running on an old laptop for the tank and it runs great.
Brassmonkey - mobo raid is fine itll be the same as ur average card, higher end ones give u more features like email alerts on a failed drive and so on but they are a pretty penny.adding an extra nic is not really gonna increase speed its mainly used when ur using them as an in and out ie: firewall, u should be good with server03 its really stable i have it running on an old laptop for the tank and it runs great.
mrx66699
New member
rene just take it back to a date before the problem
start then run then type msconfig press enter when it opens up choose the tab for tools then scroll down the list choose system restore choose a point in time when it was running fine and let it do its thing it will restart and then should be fine no need to do all the scans and adding this or that just take it back to a time when the change that is affecting it is not there
ps if you are not able to boot into the os let me know and I can give you the directions for doing things without being in the os so you can start things from a command prompt
start then run then type msconfig press enter when it opens up choose the tab for tools then scroll down the list choose system restore choose a point in time when it was running fine and let it do its thing it will restart and then should be fine no need to do all the scans and adding this or that just take it back to a time when the change that is affecting it is not there
ps if you are not able to boot into the os let me know and I can give you the directions for doing things without being in the os so you can start things from a command prompt
mrx66699
New member
I hate it when this question about computer help comes up all of a sudden everyone is a computer professional and you get fifty different things to do or not to do and sometimes you get incorrect information or advise that can confuse you Rene here is the article from Microsofts website
This article describes how to use the System Restore tool to return your computer to a previous state. System Restore takes "snapshots" of critical system files and some program files and registry settings and stores this information as restore points. If your computer is not functioning correctly, you can use these restore points to return Windows XP/VISTA to a previous state when your computer was functioning correctly. It can also change scripts, batch files, and other kinds of executable files on your computer.
This article is for a beginning to intermediate computer user.
Note System Restore does not affect personal files, such as e-mail, documents, or photos.
YOU WILL NOT LOSE FILES SUCH AS THESE
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306084
This article describes how to use the System Restore tool to return your computer to a previous state. System Restore takes "snapshots" of critical system files and some program files and registry settings and stores this information as restore points. If your computer is not functioning correctly, you can use these restore points to return Windows XP/VISTA to a previous state when your computer was functioning correctly. It can also change scripts, batch files, and other kinds of executable files on your computer.
This article is for a beginning to intermediate computer user.
Note System Restore does not affect personal files, such as e-mail, documents, or photos.
YOU WILL NOT LOSE FILES SUCH AS THESE
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/306084
Last edited:
mrx66699
New member
System Restore can make changes to Windows system files, registry settings, and programs installed on your computer. It also can make changes to scripts, batch files, and other types of executable files on your computer. Personal files, such as documents, e‑mail, photos, and music files, are not changed.
For example, if you download a personal file, such as a photo from a digital camera, on a Friday and then restore your computer to the state it was in two days earlier on Wednesday, the photo will still be on your computer.
However, if you install a photo viewing program on a Friday and then restore your computer to the state it was in two days earlier on Wednesday, System Restore will uninstall the program, and you won't be able to use that program to view photos until you reinstall the program.
For example, if you download a personal file, such as a photo from a digital camera, on a Friday and then restore your computer to the state it was in two days earlier on Wednesday, the photo will still be on your computer.
However, if you install a photo viewing program on a Friday and then restore your computer to the state it was in two days earlier on Wednesday, System Restore will uninstall the program, and you won't be able to use that program to view photos until you reinstall the program.
