Several issues ...

[Guest]

I am running XP home edition and ISP is Embarq DSL. In December, I replaced
(non-professional but fairly knowlegeable person did this for me) the
processor and added memory (stick on mother board) at the same time. Was
still having random issues with pc. Two weeks ago, hard drive quit...replaced
last Monday. Upon using the restore discs, no partition and many of the
programs that were installed when I bought the pc are not there. I forged
ahead and tried to install security from Embarq so I could get the windows
updates. Now nothing is working right; constant IE 6 & 7 connectivity issues
and crashes, slow or unresponsive programs, and now Windows update will not
work at all - online or through XP security program. I could go on and on
with this list. Can anyone PLEASE help me before I throw this dang computer
in the street and run over it a few times?

 

[GHalleck]

I am running XP home edition and ISP is Embarq DSL. In December, I replaced
(non-professional but fairly knowlegeable person did this for me) the
processor and added memory (stick on mother board) at the same time. Was
still having random issues with pc. Two weeks ago, hard drive quit...replaced
last Monday. Upon using the restore discs, no partition and many of the
programs that were installed when I bought the pc are not there. I forged
ahead and tried to install security from Embarq so I could get the windows
updates. Now nothing is working right; constant IE 6 & 7 connectivity issues
and crashes, slow or unresponsive programs, and now Windows update will not
work at all - online or through XP security program. I could go on and on
with this list. Can anyone PLEASE help me before I throw this dang computer
in the street and run over it a few times?

Troubleshooting computer problems requires patience and good logic at
analyzing the diagnostic testing. The first step is to get down to the
essential points. First, did the computer really work fine before the
upgrade of CPU and memory? What were the random issues? What happened
with the restore that resulted in the missing programs? Or were these
programs optional to the basic unit? Right now, all of the original
components that came with the computer are suspect, starting with the
power supply. BTW, what make and model of system is this?

 

[Guest]

I am running XP home edition and ISP is Embarq DSL. In December, I replaced
(non-professional but fairly knowlegeable person did this for me) the
processor and added memory (stick on mother board) at the same time. Was
still having random issues with pc. Two weeks ago, hard drive quit...replaced
last Monday. Upon using the restore discs, no partition and many of the
programs that were installed when I bought the pc are not there. I forged
ahead and tried to install security from Embarq so I could get the windows
updates. Now nothing is working right; constant IE 6 & 7 connectivity issues
and crashes, slow or unresponsive programs, and now Windows update will not
work at all - online or through XP security program. I could go on and on
with this list. Can anyone PLEASE help me before I throw this dang computer
in the street and run over it a few times?

More details... I do not have the update kb931768 although I have installed
roughly 45 other updates. Today is the second time the restore discs have
been used since replacing the hard drive. I have worked with tech support at
Embarq with little progress made. My lines will be checked on May 14 at 2:30
but I really do not believe this is my problem. I have read the how to ask a
question section so I will answer what I can:
- What are you trying to do? I want my pc to run properly without freezing,
crashing, or me hitting it with a hammer.
- Why are you trying to do it? I have had to replace hardware and want to
install DSL properly, IE 6 or 7 properly, media player and so forth...
- What did you try already, why, and what was the result of your actions?
See above....or ask me a more specific question as to hardware or
software...I am not pc illiterate but I am far from an expert.
- What was the exact error message that you received? The most annoying
actual error message that I recieve,web page cannot be displayed>address bar>
http://192.168.2.1/zCfgtestfail.html. I have recieved others but have not
written them down. Majority of the time, if I try to go to
www.myembarq.com>IE 6 & 7 crash, if I search for myembarq.com, then proceed
to page by link, 50/50 chance of IE crash. Other major problems are just
unresponsiveness or severly slow random applications and or processes.
- How long have you been experiencing this problem? Began having issues with
pc in Dec. of 2006.
- Have you searched the relevant forum/newsgroup archives? Many times. I may
fix one problem temporarily but two more will shortly arrive.
- Have you searched for any tools or KB articles or any other resources?
Yes, scans, probes, spyware/adware/virus detection utilities, registry fixes,
other forums, and the entire microsoft site I believe.
- Have you recently installed or uninstalled any software or hardware? See
original post.
- What changes were made to the system between the time everything last
worked and when you noticed the problem? PC was rarely used for almost two
years...random problems since roughly September of 2006.

Don't let us assume, tell us right at the beginning.

Some technical information we need to have (naturally, hardware or
network-specific questions need their topic-specific information):

- What Operating System and Service Pack level are you using? XP home
edition (originally came home with media player- not sure if media edition)-
SP2..installed twice this week.
- What Exchange version and Service Pack level are you using? What? Tell me
where to look for info.
- Tell us about your Active Directory domain environment, or if on a SOHO
network, then information about your workgroup settings. What?
- Tell us about your name resolution topology (DNS, WINS etc.) And again,
what?
- If applicable, what does the LAN/WAN topology look like? Include
TCP/IP-relevant information. ditto
- Migration scenarios - add in your exact details. ditto
- What does the Event Log say? As of this very moment...I have a blank
systems page with absolutely no response. Task manager does not recognize the
program or process as running.
- Do you have current backups? Why not? Well, I thought my restore discs
that came I home with from the store (ah humm, in 2002) was my backup.
- What does the backup log say? Tell me how to tell you.
- Are you using Anti-Virus or Anti-Spyware/Adware tool? Was using CA Securty
Suite 2007...at the moment I have embarq security installed.
- Have you checked for virus infection? Several times.
- Is there a Firewall on the host or on the network? I have turned firewalls
on and off multiple times. Home pc....DSL through Embarq...D-link wireless
router for second pc.
- Do you have sufficient free disk space? Check again. 65.2GB free space.
- Any other information you think we might need in order to help you.

This computer was operated with a generator roughly about 400 hours over the
span of 18 months.

What else can I tell you?

 

[GHalleck]

:




More details... I do not have the update kb931768 although I have installed
roughly 45 other updates. Today is the second time the restore discs have
been used since replacing the hard drive. I have worked with tech support at
Embarq with little progress made. My lines will be checked on May 14 at 2:30
but I really do not believe this is my problem. I have read the how to ask a
question section so I will answer what I can:
- What are you trying to do? I want my pc to run properly without freezing,
crashing, or me hitting it with a hammer.
- Why are you trying to do it? I have had to replace hardware and want to
install DSL properly, IE 6 or 7 properly, media player and so forth...
- What did you try already, why, and what was the result of your actions?
See above....or ask me a more specific question as to hardware or
software...I am not pc illiterate but I am far from an expert.
- What was the exact error message that you received? The most annoying
actual error message that I recieve,web page cannot be displayed>address bar>
http://192.168.2.1/zCfgtestfail.html. I have recieved others but have not
written them down. Majority of the time, if I try to go to
www.myembarq.com>IE 6 & 7 crash, if I search for myembarq.com, then proceed
to page by link, 50/50 chance of IE crash. Other major problems are just
unresponsiveness or severly slow random applications and or processes.
- How long have you been experiencing this problem? Began having issues with
pc in Dec. of 2006.

- What Operating System and Service Pack level are you using? XP home
edition (originally came home with media player- not sure if media edition)-
SP2..installed twice this week.
- What Exchange version and Service Pack level are you using? What? Tell me
where to look for info.

- Are you using Anti-Virus or Anti-Spyware/Adware tool? Was using CA Securty
Suite 2007...at the moment I have embarq security installed.
- Have you checked for virus infection? Several times.
- Is there a Firewall on the host or on the network? I have turned firewalls
on and off multiple times. Home pc....DSL through Embarq...D-link wireless
router for second pc.
- Do you have sufficient free disk space? Check again. 65.2GB free space.
- Any other information you think we might need in order to help you.

This computer was operated with a generator roughly about 400 hours over the
span of 18 months.

What else can I tell you?

Four more questions...is the computer operating off the generator now?
What type of generator? And how stable is the generator in terms of
voltage, power and, most importantly, frequency? Is an UPS connected
between the generator and the computer?

 

[Guest]

Four more questions...is the computer operating off the generator now?
No...not since may of 2006. Was operated with generator roughly about 2 hours
4 or five times a week for 18 months.
What type of generator? And how stable is the generator in terms of
voltage, power and, most importantly, frequency? I have not a clue the type
of generator. I do not remember the voltage but I was told at the time that
is was more than adequate to run the entire house. The generator would surge
when the washing machine would turn on.
Is an UPS connected between the generator and the computer? No, it was
plugged in a surge protector power strip then dieectly to the generator.

The CPU was replaced because my knowlegeable person told me that was the
reason I was experiencing the repeated blue screen of death (by the time it
was replaced, the PC would not work for me at all....the problem before CPU
replacement was> unknown driver device failure. Added memory just because we
were already in there.
The hard drive was replaced because I turned on the pc one day, black DOS
stuff> no operating system found.

Upon replacing CPU, I experienced the same blue screen of death one time
roughly one week before hard drive quit.

What else can I tell you?

 

[RedForeman]

What else can I tell you?- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

After all the troubles you've had, just junk the machine after taking
the good new parts out and start over.... geeesh... *jk*

my guess is multiple problems... weakest link failure type stuff...

Very problematic, especially after changing alot of parts....

RedForeman

 

[Guest]

I almost agree with you except I love my pc....usually. I do not mind
replacing parts or software but I do not know where to go from here. And get
this...so far today, I spent approximately 30 min totally on the pc...not one
crash or slowing yet. Right now I have my DLS connection directly through the
modem sent to me by embarq and not through the d-link router. This means only
one pc available.

My knowledgeable person (my mother who is in process of getting some kind of
pc tech certificate) has suggestion damage to the power supply from the
generator use but does not think current IE issues are related. I am running
IE7 right now. Again, so far no issues today. I will not have time to mess
around until after 3:00 p.m. so I will post again late this evening.

Thank you for the responses.

 

[Ghostrider]

I almost agree with you except I love my pc....usually. I do not mind
replacing parts or software but I do not know where to go from here. And get
this...so far today, I spent approximately 30 min totally on the pc...not one
crash or slowing yet. Right now I have my DLS connection directly through the
modem sent to me by embarq and not through the d-link router. This means only
one pc available.

My knowledgeable person (my mother who is in process of getting some kind of
pc tech certificate) has suggestion damage to the power supply from the
generator use but does not think current IE issues are related. I am running
IE7 right now. Again, so far no issues today. I will not have time to mess
around until after 3:00 p.m. so I will post again late this evening.

Thank you for the responses.

In reading this thread, the best thing to do would be to first connect
the computer to a very stable power source. Most home generators are not
adequate to do this. As GHalleck hinted, they have stability problems and
using a surge protector is simply not good enough. The best alternative
would have been to connect a laptop/desktop replacement to draw power via
the surge protector connected to the generator. Or as suggested by GH, a
sturdy UPS (750 to 1000 Watt or higher range) between the desktop computer
and the generator outlet.

Once this has been done, then run the computer. If anything is going to
fail next, it would probably be the power supply and, perhaps, another
hard drive. (These are, to some extent, frequency dependent and the home
model generators are not reputed to hold the 60 Hz frequency well.) It is
hoped that once a stable, 120 V AC, 60 Hz, ~500 Watt connection has been
made to the computer, it will run just like it should if it were drawing
commercial power.

 

[Guest]

I am no longer using a generator and have not used the generator since May of
2006. I was living in Maine on top of a mountain and this was the only power
supply. After I returned to civilization in May 2006 (I have had regular
electricity since), my pc started having problems roughly in late July. By
mid-December, blue screen of death was occurring everytime the pc was turned
on then finally it would not turn on at all. That is when the CPU was
replaced. Additional memory was added just for the heck of it. After those
repairs, my pc appeared to have only minor issues, mostly settings, until two
weeks ago. I turned on the pc, there was this noise that sounded like a cd
hanging up in a player (not skipping but hanging up), the screen came on with
"no operating sysytem found". The hard drive was replaced after
investigation.

Now, my main issue for this week has been connectivity issues through IE 6
and 7. From roughly 3:30 today until around 9:30 this evening, embarq DSL
services were out for a large area of eastern NC. Could my new issues be
coming from my provider and not from my pc? I have lost connection (modem
says still connected) only once since 9:30 and it is now 10:11. I feel like I
have broken a new record or something because this is the longested I have
been able to stay connected in a few days.

I agree that the temporary use of the generator probably is the root of my
problems, but I do not know what else to replace. My pc appears to to work
just fine if I stay offline.

Any other helpful suggestions?

 

[GHalleck]

I am no longer using a generator and have not used the generator since May of
2006. I was living in Maine on top of a mountain and this was the only power
supply. After I returned to civilization in May 2006 (I have had regular
electricity since), my pc started having problems roughly in late July. By
mid-December, blue screen of death was occurring everytime the pc was turned
on then finally it would not turn on at all. That is when the CPU was
replaced. Additional memory was added just for the heck of it. After those
repairs, my pc appeared to have only minor issues, mostly settings, until two
weeks ago. I turned on the pc, there was this noise that sounded like a cd
hanging up in a player (not skipping but hanging up), the screen came on with
"no operating sysytem found". The hard drive was replaced after
investigation.

Now, my main issue for this week has been connectivity issues through IE 6
and 7. From roughly 3:30 today until around 9:30 this evening, embarq DSL
services were out for a large area of eastern NC. Could my new issues be
coming from my provider and not from my pc? I have lost connection (modem
says still connected) only once since 9:30 and it is now 10:11. I feel like I
have broken a new record or something because this is the longested I have
been able to stay connected in a few days.

I agree that the temporary use of the generator probably is the root of my
problems, but I do not know what else to replace. My pc appears to to work
just fine if I stay offline.

Any other helpful suggestions?

Still living out in the boondocks, even in North Carolina? Then, yes,
the ISP could be contributing to the problem related to the connection.
There is very little one can do about it except wait for the ISP and
the local utilities to get their acts together. Remember, DSL is based
on a wire connection from the computer through the outlet to a junction
box. How it goes from there will also be a factor, e.g., wire vs. fibre
optic, for instance. IIRC, my stay in that part of the Eastern US is
one marked of some real interesting weather patterns.

If opportunity presents, ask and shop around for how good are the
different ISP's in the region.

 

[Guest]

Thanks everyone. As it turns out, my pc was not the problem. Please bear with
my non-technical jargon> on the pole at the end of my driveway, someone
attached some sort of load protector. Embarq service guy said DSL will not
work through that type of device...that was the reason for my constant
connectivity issues. He also hard wired my DSl into the house so it does not
share the line with the phone now. Hooray! I am zooming online now with no
problems so far, been on roughly two hours.

I realize I may still experience problems with other harware due to my use
of an unstable power source but right this minute, I am a happy camper. I
appreciate everyone's input. Although this forum did not help me solve this
problem, I have solved others through here. You folks are great to help out
like you do. Thanks.

 

[Guest]

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE POST/REPLIES BEFORE RESPONDING WITH ADVICE.

Hi, I am back with similar problems still. I am still having isues with
connectivity and lags (no more crashes as of yet). I have IE6 installed
currently. I have started experiencing minor lags occassionally when loading
web pages the last two days...not a big problem. My main issue appears to
only at pogo.com; all room and/or games will load fine, but I start having
serious lags, occassionally long enough to time me out, and other players are
getting pissed. I have uninstalled/reinstalled java, disabled all popo-up
blockers, cleared all caches. Remember, hard drive and CPU have been recently
replaced so there is not much stored on here yet. I have configured my
security correctly but I do not think it is the problem as lags occur even
when security is turned off.