So as I'm trying to figure out why TWICE in a week why my NIC has ****ed up, I end up with an almost destroyed computer. **** DELL. Here's the story... Last week, my computer suddenly freezes (it hasn't done that at all in the year and a half I've had it). So I try to use System Restore (which worked once before on a similar problem). Then I find out that SR is DISABLED. So then I re-restart the damn thing. Internet is gone Then I try ipconfig and **** like that for a day and a half. Nuthin'. So I go on the other computer on the 'network' (It's not really a network since I can't figure out how to even connect the computers; they only 'share', as in are connected to, the router which travels to the modem) and seach for a solution. I find three different ones (stated in a previous thread) and the one that works asks me to shut off router, modem and computers, disconnect them and reset the router. GREAT; IT WORKED!!! Then on Friday it happens AGAIN. Computer is dead frozen. I try the previous things: NOTHING. So, then I figured it was probably a card problem and insisted on getting a new wireless $60 adapter. I bought the wireless router a couple weeks back for $10 with the understanding that there would be a laptop on the network. Well I try it yesterday and the flood gates open. I move the modem and new router to the other room (because there's limited space here) and try to set it up. I am forced to run a cable from the other room (because the cable line is null in the new room). Anyway, the other computer (a 98) works fine because it connects via cable. Mine, however, does not. I try installing the software too many times and I don't know what's going on. Then all hell breaks loose. It won't recognize that there's a router and won't connect at all. The computer then freezes I restart it about 6 times and it still doesn't work. Very, very, very long story short, I, in the process, end up breaking the DVD drive. It tries to open and close itself. It's no big deal because I can get a new and better one for anywhere from $0-$20 (after rebates and depending on models). So I take the broken drive out today and try to regroup. The computer takes 15 minutes (it seems) just to load up to the opening screen. I call up the Belkin people and the guy helps me to connect to the internet. So I have that settled. But then the mouse goes at the equivalent of 1fps as on a TV. It's ****ing annoying. At the moment, the computer is running fine, but I fear that if I turn off or restart the computer, or even let it go to the screen saver, it will start messing up again. That is one thing that needs to be fixed. The other is that, starting yesterday, the color resolution is only at 4-bit, the lowest. The computer recgonizes it, but I can't change it; it's the only option that I can select. Does anyone know if it's a video card issue or something with a driver or what?!?!?!? Someone, PLEASE HELP!!!!!! Two more minor issues There's a pop-up that appears every time the computer loads. It says something to the effect of: NORTON: C:/ ACCESS DENIED. Obviously, I have Norton AntiVirus and SystemWorks (which is somewhat 'broken', if you will). Anyone have a solution? Then the last thing is that the other computer on the network's internet runs at AMAZINGLY sloooooooooow speeds. Half of the sites won't even load, like Hotmail. I mean this is Comcast broadband and it should work well, but the download speeds are greatly decreased. Can anyone help? Oh, and I never really set up a file-sharing network, and I don't know that it will work. I haven't looked at help sites (like www.homehelpnetwork.com I was told) yet, but I plan to. Thanks in advance guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oh, and the cause of it all: Tecmo Super Bowl I banged the keyboard when Barry Sanders ran for a 99-yard TD. Somehow I pressed a few keys that did something. **** you guys who started that thread.
If computers were cars, we'd never get anywhere and our economy would grind to a halt like an engine without oil. I guess you are going to reformat your hard drive and start anew. Arggh.
Well I got the color fixed (SYSTEM RESTORE!!!). Of course it took like 20 minutes and the other problems are still there (I think).
Now the sound is shot. The device drivers claim they're working properly and the sound should be working, but it just simply isn't. Who knew fixing up a 1967 dead and rusting Mustand would be easier than a 21st century personal computer.
Man mooch, you got some serious issues.. from the sound of it, many corrupted system files. Do you have the original OS disk? Run a full virus scan including boot sectors, then try to reinstall the OS over the existing one. That should overwrite the corrupted files, and you may have to reinstall any updated drivers that you may have already installed. Thats what I would do anyway..
I'll try that. Luckily, the sound is fine; it's just a speaker problem (thank god for headphones). I might end up reformatting, but there's just waaaaaaaaay too much to backup. As long as the internet works, it's fine with me. Thanks for the advice.
Take it from someone who had to do it recently - reformatting your hard drive sucks ass. The good news, though, is that I have XP instead of that damn Millenium crap.
See I was too stoopid to even realize it when we replaced the breaks about 3 weeks ago. You wouldn't believe what to old ones looked like -- they hadn't been replaced in the entire 36 years . To give you an idea of how bad they were, the brake shoes were asbestos. But now I'm making sure there's a camera for every step. Next thing (probably after new year's) will be to replace all of the fuel lines and the fuel tank (because the old one (which I think may be 2nd or 3rd generation) is rusted and corroded from the years of idleness). Then just a couple of brake lines (parking brake cables and front-to-rear and rear-axle) need to be put in and then it's FINALLY drivable. It was driven in August across the city because we needed it at a better location for putting in the parts and such. Well, when the mechanic took it for a test-drive, the brake lines just popped. They were completely rusted. I guess we were REALLY lucky on that drive. I'll be sure to take plenty of pics throughout the next few steps. It'll be a fun car. Not powerful, but I don't see how anyone could do that to an automobile anyway. Now about 5 years ago we attempted to 'fix' it in Houston by giving it to a repair guy in Bellaire. From what I've learned about the car recently, he didn't do much more than a mediocre paint job. He put in the wrong master cylinder. I don't know that it would affect the car that much, but still. I've been ordering parts from Dallas Mustang, but I soon stopped. For whatever reason, they sent me a brake rebuild kit for a '68 EVEN THOUGH I was ordering the other parts (wheel cylinders, master cylinder, drums, etc.) for a '67. They needed to get their heads out of their collective asses (Sorry if I offended anyone who uses or works for DM). I soon switched to a much smaller and closer business, Metro Mustang in ATL. So far they've been great.
"Thank you for calling Dell Tech Support. Your average wait time is 6 days 5 hours 7 minutes and 23 seconds. Thank you for holding." Loved getting those pissy customer calls who "just wanted to speak with SOMEONE" when I worked in sales..... People can go really bizerk to someone over the phone....
Well it happened again, and after an hour of extreme frustration I fixed it (for now). Looks like I'm out 'till Wednesday afternoon at the earliest (chest surgery). It should be 'minor' but considering the doctors f-ed up 4 times in July... But, you know, avenge my death and all if I don't appear by Friday.
