When I turn on my computer I sometimes get a black screen with eMachines
logo and two options at the bottom, one is Bios and I believe the other is
Setup. After I turn it off and turn it back on a few times it will start
correctly. What would cause this? What files should be backed up to a
external hard drive in case of a crash? Help appreciated
Thanks,
Marsha

On Dec 12, 9:01 am, "Marsha" <nosuchn...@nosuchplace.com> wrote:
> When I turn on my computer I sometimes get a black screen with eMachines
> logo and two options at the bottom, one is Bios and I believe the other is
> Setup. After I turn it off and turn it back on a few times it will start
> correctly. What would cause this?

Something is failing and that's causing your system to give you those
options.

> What files should be backed up to a
> external hard drive in case of a crash?

Everything. Get an imaging program like Acronis.

Marsha wrote:
> When I turn on my computer I sometimes get a black screen with eMachines
> logo and two options at the bottom, one is Bios and I believe the other is
> Setup. After I turn it off and turn it back on a few times it will start
> correctly. What would cause this? What files should be backed up to a
> external hard drive in case of a crash? Help appreciated
> Thanks,
> Marsha
>
>

That's a classic symptom of a failing power supply. This is common with
eMachines. eMachines also have a nasty habit of when their power
supplies die, everything else dies too. So it is really important that
you back up to external media. Here is some general information about
backing up:

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/...tml#Backing_Up

Standard caveat: Of course since I can't see your computer you shouldn't
take this as a definitive diagnosis and may want to take your machine to
a local computer repair shop (not a BigComputerStore/GeekSquad type of
place).

As for backup, only you can answer that question because only you know
what you have. In general, you back up your data: documents,
spreadsheets, pictures, music, Favorites/Bookmarks, email, etc. You
don't back up programs since they would need to be reinstalled anyway
after a clean install of the operating system.


Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

Thanks
I was afraid that is what was happening. I am backing up my personal files
now. I appreciated everyone's reply and thanks a million for helping me!
Marsha

"Malke" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
> Marsha wrote:
>> When I turn on my computer I sometimes get a black screen with eMachines
>> logo and two options at the bottom, one is Bios and I believe the other
>> is Setup. After I turn it off and turn it back on a few times it will
>> start correctly. What would cause this? What files should be backed up
>> to a external hard drive in case of a crash? Help appreciated
>> Thanks,
>> Marsha
>>
>>
>
> That's a classic symptom of a failing power supply. This is common with
> eMachines. eMachines also have a nasty habit of when their power supplies
> die, everything else dies too. So it is really important that you back up
> to external media. Here is some general information about backing up:
>
> http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/...tml#Backing_Up
>
> Standard caveat: Of course since I can't see your computer you shouldn't
> take this as a definitive diagnosis and may want to take your machine to a
> local computer repair shop (not a BigComputerStore/GeekSquad type of
> place).
>
> As for backup, only you can answer that question because only you know
> what you have. In general, you back up your data: documents, spreadsheets,
> pictures, music, Favorites/Bookmarks, email, etc. You don't back up
> programs since they would need to be reinstalled anyway after a clean
> install of the operating system.
>
>
> Malke
> --
> Elephant Boy Computers
> www.elephantboycomputers.com
> "Don't Panic!"
> MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

"Marsha" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message news:(E-Mail Removed)...
> Thanks
> I was afraid that is what was happening. I am backing up my personal files now. I appreciated
> everyone's reply and thanks a million for helping me!
> Marsha
>
> "Malke" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
> news:%(E-Mail Removed)...
>> Marsha wrote:
>>> When I turn on my computer I sometimes get a black screen with eMachines logo and two options at
>>> the bottom, one is Bios and I believe the other is Setup. After I turn it off and turn it back
>>> on a few times it will start correctly. What would cause this? What files should be backed up
>>> to a external hard drive in case of a crash? Help appreciated
>>> Thanks,
>>> Marsha
>>>
>>>
>>
>> That's a classic symptom of a failing power supply. This is common with eMachines. eMachines also
>> have a nasty habit of when their power supplies die, everything else dies too. So it is really
>> important that you back up to external media. Here is some general information about backing up:
>>
>> http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/...tml#Backing_Up
>>
>> Standard caveat: Of course since I can't see your computer you shouldn't take this as a
>> definitive diagnosis and may want to take your machine to a local computer repair shop (not a
>> BigComputerStore/GeekSquad type of place).
>>
>> As for backup, only you can answer that question because only you know what you have. In general,
>> you back up your data: documents, spreadsheets, pictures, music, Favorites/Bookmarks, email, etc.
>> You don't back up programs since they would need to be reinstalled anyway after a clean install
>> of the operating system.
>>
>>
>> Malke
>> --
>> Elephant Boy Computers
>> www.elephantboycomputers.com
>> "Don't Panic!"
>> MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
>
Unfortunately, many Emachines use a proprietary size power supply, that has an unrealistitic price
for replacement.
If you plan to have it replaced by a friend, or small computer repair shop (never use the big box
store, BestBuy, etc. repair) have a look at transferring the motherboard and all parts to a new
chassis. You can often buy a new chassis, with a better standard power supply, for less money that
buying a replacement power supply. However, you have to weight the cost of having the part transfer
done. P.S. You have to transfer the mother board. The Windows OS in Emachines is tied to that
motherboard (BIOS) chip and will not work if you change motherboards.