Gabrielle

First of all...so glad I found this site. This is my first post.
Let me try to to explain this as good as I can:

My sons computer is behaving very weird...
yesterday it booted to a split black/white screen. no images, just a white/black screen and the mouse cursor. the cursor didn't move, so I am guessing everything else was frozen too.

finally got to get it to boot into XP, but nothing worked. applications froze and gave error messages.

then I tried to do save mode, or system restore. didn't do anything. [knew that anyway, but thought I'll give it a try] In safe mode I was able to restore it to previous config but of course nothing worked.

so I wanted to reinstall windows just to see if I'll get an error messages. Told me it couldnt' find the hard drive. I guess that's a good sign right? only a hard drive issue? for some reason I just don't think that's it. I guess the weird unreadable text at bootup makes me wonder. Oh, I didn't tell you about that? text is sort of unreadable... I mean instead of "file" it spells "fale" stuff like that. It's like the puter lost his brain cells...

It's a fairly old computer, but he hasn't used it very much up until now. Sony Vaio desktop. Pentium D. I replaced the video card about a year ago.

what else is weird? well, once in a while when I get into windows the screen flickers strangely.

I so hope this is only the hard drive...but I am not so sure.
HELP??
I only have a laptop so I can't just replace hardware with good hardware.

Thank you!!!!

manic

Can you get into bios?

Gabrielle

na, not right now. it'll go straight to the black/white split screen. i may could've earlier. wasnt sure what to look for. if i can again, what should i look for?

manic

See if you have a hardware monitor, or something to that affect.
Check for voltages, and heat. Dells were infamous for weak power
supplys..

Gabrielle

not able to get there right now. it's not a dell, it's a sony vaio. dumbest computer i have ever bought. crowded in every way. here the documentation it:
http://esupport.sony.com/US/perl/mod...?mdl=VGCRC310G

I was able to exclude the video card. exchanged it with another one someone had left over...same problem. I guess I am one step closer.

i have like 3 old IDE hard drives, but no sata drives I can try. I am getting the feeling that I am stuck with bringing it to a shop.

manic

Sorry for confusing dell with a sony..If you can get into safe mode
go to device manager, look for any flags, yellow, red..Probably still
underpowered 400watt?
You cannot get into bios? If you can boot into windows safe mode
you should be able to get into bios.
Should be f3 key, tap prior to windows loading.

Zed101

Hello Gabrielle,

Here is a test if you are willing to do it. Sometimes with older computers, the plugs, battery, cables etc get ultrosonically loosened. Although they look well seated, they could be loose.
Solution: Completely remove any power from the computer just to be safe!
Open the side, or panel whichever it has. Before touching anything, grasp the metal housing to discharge your body! This is extremely important! You can build up thousands of volts of electricity and never know it! This will FRY most of the components!
Now, with the safety all done. Start removing each plug, card etc. individually and carefully clean the contacts. Alchol does a good job. Reseat the unit and go to the next one. Do ALL as you don't know which may be causing the problem. Next, carefully remove the battery noting the + &- to return it. clean with a soft cloth (no Liquid) Reinsert proper polarity back into socket.
This is probably the most important, (not necessarly for this problem, but needs doing yearly anyway). Very carefully, remove the heatsink on the processor. Set it aside, Extreme cautiously remove the processor, also noting position of key marks for reinstall. CLEAN BOTH HEATSINK AND PROCESSOR WITH ALCHOL TO A SMOOTH SHINE. Prevoulsy, have a supply of a very good heatsink compound avaliable. On the heatsink, apply a very small amount of the paste. Use a flat item (old credit card works excellent (new one can be cleaned) smooth the paste as thin as possible and leave NO spots not covered. Very carefully (do not allow anything to touch the prepared surface) reinsert the cleaned CPU in proper orientation. Secure with the mb securing method.. Place the heatsink on the processor, secure in reverse order of removal. Reconnect the fan, theis is important! (Best of us sometimes forget!).
With all the other plugs cleaned and reset, it should be ready to test.
Re apply the ac power and boot up, if all is well, replace the covers etc. You have done a majoy job to be proud of!
Good luck. (if the cards have a bit of discoloration on the pins, a pencil erasor will remove it, (as usual, be very careful) reclean all bits of dust, rubber etc prior to reinserting!)

If you decide to do this, please post the results.......

Gabrielle

Thanks I'll try all of this. hahaha, I'll need a couple of days for that tho. if you ever looked into one of those sony computers...wow... what a mess.
Thank you all. I'll let you know what happend...or what i discovered. :)

Zed101

You are welcome, hope you find something that works for you.
Yes, the strange things are even getting stranger! I have built several computers and even though they look strange or odd, they do the same thing! Some just a bit faster than others but now it is possible to update most anything or all items that is not fast enough! Depends on the need and your personal use and value!
Just be very careful and SAFE. This is most important! Good luck and keep us posted as with the results! Somewhere , someplace, someone will get you going again, hopefully it will be the advice I provided!
Best of luck,