we have a problem

[custard]

right last night i was burning a dvd on the pc.
half way it just rebooted.
on reboot it gave a keyboard missing/faulty error.
got a wired keyboard today on PS/2 so now boots to
the windows had a problem yadayada page with boot options

however it wont boot safe mode,last god config or anything.
best i get is to the XP loading logo.
then it reboots and back to the same again.
i also hear a whine from the PSU area.
this is when the pc is off but has power.
if i kill power i can hear the whine winding/spinning down.

tried to install xp on a spare HD but i have a disc error so cant do a fresh install just now.

pc has been working fine with no probs.
discs are defrag'd nightly
AV is up to date.

specs
athlon 2800xp
asus mobo
512mb ram
9200 radeon IIRC
2 maxtor HD's

if its terminal then i'll be looking at a MAX £200 budget to fix.
so mobo/cpu/ram deal if anyone know one.

ta

 

[soap_dodger]

I had this problem, keeps rebooting. A system file had gone walkies. I'd try re-installing the OS.

Try searching for the problem on google.

 

[Trancendental]

It sounds like a important Windows System file has "gone walkies" as Jammie Dodger so professionally put it

If not the worst it could be is a Hardware Problem, you won't be looking at near £200 for a single part.

 

[custard]

well im considering ugrading anyway.
this has shown me i 'need' 2 pc's anyway
may upgrde my mobo,cpu & ram then gradually replace the parts and use the old prts to make a back up PC

 

[ArcticBeast]

my pc is doing the exact same thing although sometimes when rebooting I do for a fraction of a second i do get a bluescreen with an error message on it

 

[custard]

right im back well sort off. installed xp (cheers stu)on a spare HD and im running.however i cant seem to get USB working on my asus nforce mobo.
means i have no mouse now as i cant find the second PS2 adapter and im using keyboard shortcuts :bang:
now usually i install xp then service pack one.then i install the nvidia driver which needs SP1 for usb.
after the driver is installed the new found hardware etc kicks in and i have usb.
however according to device manager all of my usb components are functioning.
when i plug in the mouse the light comes on for a couple of seconds and goes out.
i have SP2 installed now and have the mobo drivers up to date.
so software or hardware fault?

 

[Liam]

Maybe say hardware cos SP1 does USB no probs.

Front or back USB?

Tried flashing the bios of the mobo?

try all your usb ports and plug in anything usb related cams etc.

Liam

 

[custard]

yup tried the bluetooth dongle,2 mice,ipod & external HD.
front & rear ports.
suppose this would tie in with the no keyboard fault originally but could a mobo fault(i assume mobo?)through a wobbly in the XP files?

 

[Liam]

Hiya pal, your back!

I'd try flashing the bios then monitor the system, is the new hdd through ide like your old setup?

Liam

 

[Liam]

Asus mobo dodgy usb throws up some finds on google or try without the usb bit.

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=255087

Liam

 

[custard]

well i'll pick up a ps2 mouse tomorrow as this is a 'mare with just the keyboard then i can have a looksie

 

[Stu DemonD]

now usually i install xp then service pack one.then i install the nvidia driver which needs SP1 for usb.

The XP CD I sent you was SP1 - you had to do SP2 as a M$ update. I was going to do a slipstreamed CD, but couldn't be arsed

 

[custard]

well i had probs with it but used my old disc and trhen your disc for the files i couldnt get off my old one

anyway.
bought a ps2 mouse today and when i booted the pc(ps2 mouse & keyboard) the usb started working! :bang:
so checked it and whilst working it told me i had no USB2 ports(they all are) an error i have seen googleing.
on reboot(no ps2 devices)it again gave the no keyboard error at bios.
so hooked the ps2 keyboard up and booted in.
about to update the bios

 

[Liam]

about to update the bios

Your are wise grasshopper!

Liam

 

[custard]

well tried reviosions,1009,1008,1007,1006(i have 1006 just now)and none will flash.
im told the files have a different bios lock string??? by the flash util

 

[custard]

okay i'll just add to this thread.
all of this has made me decide to upgrade a bit.
been thinking about it a while.
what im not upgrading for now
optical drives,hard drives,PSU(hopefully?),case(unless funds allow)
looking to get a core duo cpu going by reviews
e6300 1.86ghz seems a good balance
need a mobo,RAM and later i will get a new graphics card.
radeon 9800 will have to suffice for now
um mobo's....do i need to go to the 975 chipset?
price is a factor.
ive got £200 or so just now so would like chip and mobo to fit in there.
ram would be nice as well but can get more cash as i go
obviously sundries like cables etc

im not a big pc gamer but just want an updated system with more oomph
recommendations welcomed

 

[custard]

c'mon you FF geeks.i demand info

 

[custard]

well phew all these replies to work through :shakehead

well for all those interested,through checkdisc i finally got xp to recognise the previous installation.
tried the repair optiuon however it hangs on the installing windows/installing devive part.
green bar is about 3/4 through.
anything i can do to aid this?
remove graphics card etc?
or is it a lost cause?

 

[Hellcat]

Blat the lot..

 

[custard]

hmmm really had my mind set on the intel dual core.
from reviews it seems the best cpu compared ot what intell can offer.