So my computer has been crashing (mostly the blue screen of death, but
sometimes just a complete turn off), usually when Im playing a game.

My problem is, I got this computer second hand and I don't have the Windows
OS installation disk. Is there a way to either make a disc of the OS using a
program or to recover the key from somewhere within, like the registry?

Also, any help on ways to fix this crashing issue. I haven't been able to
determine if it's a hardware or software issue.

Mortifere wrote:
> So my computer has been crashing (mostly the blue screen of death, but
> sometimes just a complete turn off), usually when Im playing a game.
>
> My problem is, I got this computer second hand and I don't have the Windows
> OS installation disk. Is there a way to either make a disc of the OS using a
> program or to recover the key from somewhere within, like the registry?
>
> Also, any help on ways to fix this crashing issue. I haven't been able to
> determine if it's a hardware or software issue.

Not enough information; you don't say whether it's a particular game, or
anything about your hardware (processor, RAM, video, etc.). It's
possible that the game isn't compatible with the OS, or you don't have
enough RAM and/or processor speed, or the requisite video hardware. When
a BSOD appears, there should be an error message. If you can post that
someone might be able to give you specific information about your problem.

As far as OS recovery, there could be a recovery partition on the hard
drive, or you could be out of luck. Have a look at the manufacturer's
website and see if they offer recovery options.

Please post a copy of the Stop Error Report.

Disable automatic restart on system failure. This should help by
allowing time to write down the STOP code properly. Right click on
the My Computer icon on the Desktop and select Properties, Advanced,
Start-Up and Recovery, System Failure and uncheck box before
Automatically Restart.

Do not re-enable automatic restart on system failure even after you have
solved the problem as it's better disabled. Check for variants of the
Stop Error message.

An alternative is to keep pressing the F8 key during Start-Up and select
option - Disable automatic restart on system failure.

If you are using a wireless keyboard and the F8 key does not work
substitute a wired keyboard and mouse for this exercise only.


--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Mortifere wrote:
> So my computer has been crashing (mostly the blue screen of death, but
> sometimes just a complete turn off), usually when Im playing a game.
>
> My problem is, I got this computer second hand and I don't have the
> Windows OS installation disk. Is there a way to either make a disc of
> the OS using a program or to recover the key from somewhere within,
> like the registry?
>
> Also, any help on ways to fix this crashing issue. I haven't been
> able to determine if it's a hardware or software issue.

On Oct 14, 9:29 am, "Gerry" <ge...@nospam.com> wrote:
> Please post a copy of the Stop Error Report.
>
> Disable automatic restart on system failure. This should help by
> allowing time to write down the STOP code properly. Right click on
> the My Computer icon on the Desktop and select Properties, Advanced,
> Start-Up and Recovery, System Failure and uncheck box before
> Automatically Restart.
>
> Do not re-enable automatic restart on system failure even after you have
> solved the problem as it's better disabled. Check for variants of the
> Stop Error message.
>
> An alternative is to keep pressing the F8 key during Start-Up and select
> option - Disable automatic restart on system failure.
>
> If you are using a wireless keyboard and the F8 key does not work
> substitute a wired keyboard and mouse for this exercise only.
>
> --
>
> Hope this helps.
>
> Gerry
> ~~~~
> FCA
> Stourport, England
> Enquire, plan and execute
> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
>
> Mortifere wrote:
> > So my computer has been crashing (mostly the blue screen of death, but
> > sometimes just a complete turn off), usually when Im playing a game.
>
> > My problem is, I got this computer second hand and I don't have the
> > Windows OS installation disk. Is there a way to either make a disc of
> > the OS using a program or to recover the key from somewhere within,
> > like the registry?
>
> > Also, any help on ways to fix this crashing issue. I haven't been
> > able to determine if it's a hardware or software issue.

Check the Event Viewer logs for Application and System warnings and/or
critical errors. Also, if it only happens during gaming, it could be a
driver issue (video card), or maybe your CPU is overheating. As
previously suggested, the BSOD's stop code will help determine this.

Also, check the minimum system requirements for the game that crashes.
If you can, post details on your hardware and OS too.

"(E-Mail Removed)" wrote:

> On Oct 14, 9:29 am, "Gerry" <ge...@nospam.com> wrote:
> > Please post a copy of the Stop Error Report.
> >
> > Disable automatic restart on system failure. This should help by
> > allowing time to write down the STOP code properly. Right click on
> > the My Computer icon on the Desktop and select Properties, Advanced,
> > Start-Up and Recovery, System Failure and uncheck box before
> > Automatically Restart.
> >
> > Do not re-enable automatic restart on system failure even after you have
> > solved the problem as it's better disabled. Check for variants of the
> > Stop Error message.
> >
> > An alternative is to keep pressing the F8 key during Start-Up and select
> > option - Disable automatic restart on system failure.
> >
> > If you are using a wireless keyboard and the F8 key does not work
> > substitute a wired keyboard and mouse for this exercise only.
> >
> > --
> >
> > Hope this helps.
> >
> > Gerry
> > ~~~~
> > FCA
> > Stourport, England
> > Enquire, plan and execute
> > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
> >
> > Mortifere wrote:
> > > So my computer has been crashing (mostly the blue screen of death, but
> > > sometimes just a complete turn off), usually when Im playing a game.
> >
> > > My problem is, I got this computer second hand and I don't have the
> > > Windows OS installation disk. Is there a way to either make a disc of
> > > the OS using a program or to recover the key from somewhere within,
> > > like the registry?
> >
> > > Also, any help on ways to fix this crashing issue. I haven't been
> > > able to determine if it's a hardware or software issue.
>
> Check the Event Viewer logs for Application and System warnings and/or
> critical errors. Also, if it only happens during gaming, it could be a
> driver issue (video card), or maybe your CPU is overheating. As
> previously suggested, the BSOD's stop code will help determine this.
>
> Also, check the minimum system requirements for the game that crashes.
> If you can, post details on your hardware and OS too.
>
> Ok, I'll turn off the automatic restat function and see what it says. Usually I'm playing World of Warcraft, but my wife plays the Sims and it crashes too. But it's only been happening recently, ive never had these problems before. But I'll take a look at the reports. Thanks for all the help, I'll come back and let you know what I found.