Does anyone have good recommendations for a computer repair store? Mom's computer crashed and it won't start up right...it gets a formatting issue that says the volume is dirty. I THINK it got a virus. I don't think it still has warranty...it is a Dell computer and it's probably 5 or 6 years old. Thanks!
I know MoBalls could do it... for a case and a half... Seriously speaking, though... I will tell you something I said to Fatty about his laptop... don't take it to a "computer repair store"... one of your ClutchFan brethren should be able to do it. If anything, for cheaper than Worst Buy. Are you sure it's a virus? Check to see if there's a restore option. What model PC is it? Dells come with GHOST to restore. It might work. If it is not a hardware issue, restoring from the hidden partition might work. If it is a virus, the restore will clear anything after factory delivery.
I think it is a virus because I just recently found out that the resort I am getting married at, their website is pushing out a virus to the visitor's computer. I thought that was impossible but apparently, my anti-virus software caught a trojan horse when visiting that website. I asked mom if she visited the website on the day or before it crashed. She said yes. I guess the AVG didn't catch it. I just can't do anything to the PC...it has a blue screen that says its checking the files or something and says the volume is dirty. I'm pretty useless when it comes to things like that.
I don't think it's a virus. It's more than likely a failing Hard Drive. I would run a program like "Spin Rite" and back up ASAP. You will need to replace the Hard drive soon after.
You might be right, REEKO_HTOWN. Furthermore, a hard disk failure CAN result from a bad shutdown, and chkdsk will not let you continue: http://help.lockergnome.com/general/Chkdsk-Volume-Dirty-Help--ftopict30855.html . I just went through a restore with my Dell, and it was very painful , but have always backed up my data to an external hard drive for cases like this. I still need to complete installing lots of drivers. If you're ready to do a restore AFTER backing up everything, or if you don't want to back up and go straight to the restore, shut down the computer and press CTRL+F11 just as soon as you see the DELL logo. If this works, you will see advanced options to boot. Follow the prompts. If this DOESN'T work, your master boot record for the CTRL+F11 combination which is stored there.
Slave the HD to your own.. Do a scan, run chkdsk /f/r in the command prompt. D/L Malwarebytes and run it on the slaved HD. Make sure to update your AVG client before running a virus scan on the slave HD. Clean that sucker out if you haven't worked on it before.. And most importantly backup the data because the HD might be bad. Or just buy another HD (They are super cheap) put windows on it and make it the primpary drive and use the supposedly infected machine as a slave. Google is your friend and you can learn a lot about rebuilding,cleaning,upgrading machines.
I have no idea. I have to go and look at it at mom's. I don't think Dell sells them anymore. How do you back up data if it won't let me continue?? Connect my laptop to the HD?
Computer "repair" shops are where people that don't know anything go to get ripped off. Usually those guys working there don't have much more knowledge than the customers. Listen to Swoly, get someone on here or a friend to look at it. I have sworn off doing PC repairs for people now because it's just not worth the hassle, but I'm sure you can find someone that would take a look at it.
Check out PC Parts & Service over near Willowbrook. They have been there for a long long time and I have always found them to be honest and fair on price.
I'm gonna try and fix it and see what happens. I just have no idea where to start but like tested911 said, google is my friend.
My PC is from 2006 and is an XPS600. No manufacturer will continue to sell PCs made back three years from now like mine, either. I understand what you mean. Whether they have the same models but with just newer or better components, they will have the capability of "restore" to manufacturer delivery status. Nowadays, you can do it from within the OS if you can get there, or after the memory check on reboot. If you're ready to do surgery and remove the cover on that bad boy and take off the hard drive to connect it to another machine that does work (which, mind you, might take the virus --if that's the problem-- along to the other machine), you're welcome to try it. But, beware, it's more time-consuming and you will have remnants of what the virus or hard disk affected. You will either have the discs to restore it, or it will have a hidden partition to allow you to reset the machine. Of course, this is only assuming if the machine's hardware is working properly. After you're done restoring or fixing, it will be more than likely better to replace the hard drive and keep the old one as a backup, but since you will need Windows again, you will have to buy it, since the copy you received with the PC isn't to be shared onto another hard drive, I believe (someone correct me, please). You can't just connect it to a laptop, unless you can get an enclosure with it for a few bucks to allow you to attach it externally. After you check the model, you can see what procedures Dell's Self Help Forum and Community can offer for restore or repair. As everyone has already mentioned, back up what you can before you begin.
I know this guy in Pearland that I went to 5 years or so ago ... Ray Bacon RCB Systems 218-997-2517 Stand up guy.
OK talked to my sister... it is a Dell Dimension 8400. I'll look on Dell forum and see what I can come up. Thank you, Swoly-D for the lengthy explanation! Hopefully, that will help!
The idea of helping someone with stuff I know doesn't end at gender, marital status, ethnicity, social status, education level, or location in the world to me, sir. Spanish - conjugation iPod - sharepod Computer - repair ^ that's just THIS WEEK.
Stop fighting over me, The_YoYo and Swoly-D. I'm not Angela. I would rep you Swoly-D but must spread reputation first.
In a nutshell, This is your problem. Is it the free version. The paid version may have somewhat better protection, but nowhere near as good as Eset.
wha--? Who's fighting? I am ANDY, yes madam, but you're no Angela. She would never dress up as Marilyn Monroe. [swats flies off head]
