Computer Help!

Buffy Summers

Buffy Summers

Yataro
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Sineya
So this is a two fold question for the computer experts out there.

First, my laptop will not boot to Windows. It just displays a blank black screen with a blinking cursos at the top left corner. Anyone have any ideas on what the problem is and how to fix it? All I did was restart my computer which was working fine before and now this. I can run diagnostics from the CD Rom and DOS. I think it might be the RAM? The hard drive is new and it and the motherboard passed PC Check's tests, but the tests hung on the Memory tests.

Second, in the event that my computer is un fixable and I need to buy a new computer quickly, I need suggestions for reliable laptops under $1000.

Thanks! 🙂
 
Hmmm.. I don't know enough about a computers to help you fix it, but if you are going to buy a new one I would recommend a Dell. Also gotta give props for getting on BB despite not having a computer 😛
 
Buffy Summers
Buffy Summers
The Library is key my friend
I'm a long way from being a computer expert, but when my computer did something similar, the computer tech that I use said that my motherboard was bad, and it would cost more to repair than I had paid for the computer. I hope that that's not your problem.

If you're looking for a bargain in a laptop, you might look into the factory refurbished models that most dealers on the internet offer. I paid $250 for an IBM Thinkpad that sold new for over $1000, and it's been great for the last 3 years, no problems whatsoever. Of course, buying any used or refurbished product, especially electronics, is just like buying a used car. You can get a peach, or you can get a lemon. You pays your money, and you takes your chances. It just depends on whether you feel lucky or not.

As for recommending a brand, my wife has really loved her Toshiba, and, as I said before, I love my IBM Thinkpad. Those would be my choises if I were going to buy another computer.
 
You could try booting Windows into safe mode - in XP keep F8 pressed while booting and it should go into an advanced menu, which includes safe mode as an option...click on that one and prepare to wait while it slowly, slowly, slowly loads...once you're there click Start, point to All Programs, point to Accessories, point to System Tools, and then click System Restore...in System restore choose a restore point before it all went dark and then it should restart to a configuration that is OK.

If that fails...have you got any recovery disks? Try booting with them.

If that fails...if you're not married to any of the data you could try re-formatting the hard disk and do a re-install of Windows...this will wipe all your stuff though (highlighting the need to do what none of us remember...backup, backup and backup 🙂) BTW recovery disks (see above) may also perform a re-format.

Last option I would try is to take it to a computer store and ask them to see if they can find the fault...if it's RAM failure - their fee plus the cost of new RAM will be less than a new laptop...actually, it might be more sensible to do this before the option above

Finally, asking me to recommend a laptop...you know you're gonna get - MacBook - Apple Store (U.S.). 😀 😛

If you would like a slightly cheaper MacBook, Apple sometimes have some pretty good refurb bargains - that's where I'll be going for my next one - though sometimes you have to wait a few days until they have the right one on sale 🙂
Refurbished Mac - Apple Store (U.S.)
 
The first thing I would do if it were my computer that did that, I would try to re-install the operating software, just to see if that is the problem. The file registry may have become corrupted, simply by your normal use. IE, part of a registry file may have been placed in other segment, and as it is missing from its normal place...... no operating software.
Try phoning your internet service provider, see if they are aware of any problem that may cause that. Alternatively, phone Microsoft as their technicians may be able to help.
Hope all works out ok for you.
 
So...my computer after being fixed is doing the same thing again now lol. So I am definitely buying a new laptop asap. If anyone has any more/new suggestions for a non-Mac laptop, that would be awesome 🙂 I'm leaning towards an HP or Samsung.

🙂
 
Skanky Vamp
Skanky Vamp
You need to do a PSA; this is HisMrs computer, this is HisMrs computer on coke. Any questions? I bet it ran alot faster after that though!
white avenger
white avenger
That's one of the things that I like about my Thinkpad. It's water resistant.
If are not getting a Mac I would go [ame="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=amb_link_85318851_7?ie=UTF8&node=565108&field-availability=-1&hidden-keywords=B003LPUYIE%7CB003LPUYGG%7CB003LPUYHK%7CB003ODHJCW%7CB003LPUYH0%7CB003LPUYGQ%7CB003LPUYHA%7CB003LPUYHU%7CB0030T17FK%7CB002VUCCVW%7CB0030T17FU%7CB0030T17G4%7CB0030T17GE%7CB0030T17GO%7CB0030T17GY%7CB0030T17H8%7CB0030T17HI%7CB0030T17HS%7CB0030T17I2%7CB002PY7OKI%7CB002PY7OLM%7CB002PY7ON0%7CB002PY7OPI%7CB002PY7OQW%7CB002PY7OSA%7CB002PY7OTE%7CB002PY7P0C&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-5&pf_rd_r=073A8Z1HXBZ6CAMK0SPW&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1269835142&pf_rd_i=565108"]Dell[/ame], but that may push you above your grand limit, depending on what you need it for. Since HP turned into Compaq+ I do not care for their products (and used to rep HP) but [ame="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=amb_link_85318851_11?ie=UTF8&node=565108&field-availability=-1&hidden-keywords=B003N17BR8%7CB003N7O3EG%7CB003N17BSM%7CB003MVZ8UG%7CB003N2P0AC%7CB003MVZ8BK%7CB003MVZ8CE%7CB003MVZ8D8%7CB003MVZ8UQ%7CB003N2P0HU%7CB003M5GVL2%7CB003M5GVJY%7CB003M5GVNK%7CB003M5GVM6%7CB003M5GVLM%7CB003N2P0FW%7CB003M5GVNA%7CB003MVZ8DI%7CB003M5GVO4%7CB003M5GVQW%7CB003MVZ8DS%7CB003N17BQE%7CB003LPUUDS%7CB003LPUUCY%7CB003LPUUOM%7CB003LPUUOC%7CB003LPUUME%7CB003MVZ8EM%7CB003N17BRI%7CB003MVZ8CO%7CB003MVZ8CY%7CB003RRY2TS%7CB003M5GVN0%7CB003MVZ8EC%7CB003MVZ8E2%7CB003N2P0I4%7CB003N17BQO%7CB003M5GVIU%7CB003M5GVJO%7CB003M5GVKS%7C%7CB002T27BWM%7CB00305HS7K%7CB00313JXL0%7CB00305HS7U%7CB0030INLS2%7CB003155Z3S%7CB003155Z4M%7CB0031ESTD2%7CB0031ESTDC%7CB0031ESTEG%7CB0031ESTF0%7CB0030INLSC%7CB003155Z4W%7CB003155Z56%7CB00313JXKG%7CB00313JXLA%7CB0030INLSM%7CB0030INLSW%7CB003070YJW%7CB00313JXM4%7CB00313JXMO%7CB00313JXN8%7CB003155Z5G&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-5&pf_rd_r=0JE26JFYV2MHAF2FQTBW&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1269835142&pf_rd_i=565108"]Toshiba[/ame] is not bad, either. If you do not necessarily need the newest biggest (its not about the size of your harddrive, its how you format it) you could try Office Depots type stores. They often have older models at good prices but it really just depends on the workload you require it to handle.

Then again, if you were doing any REAL work you would have a Mac.
 
Scobro agrees: You need to do a PSA; this is HisMrs computer, this is HisMrs computer on coke. Any questions? I bet it ran alot faster after that though!
Click to expand...
LOL You are so freakin' silly. 😛
 
Well, in case anyone cares (probably not lol) I went with a Dell Studio XPS 16 laptop. Fingers crossed it's not crap 😀

---------- Post added at 03:07 PM ---------- Previous post was at 02:34 PM ----------

Scobro agrees: XPS is good!! at least you didnt go a cheaper route. It should not be crap. Not a Mac but...
Click to expand...

lol what's the cheaper route? lol
 
Skanky Vamp
Skanky Vamp
XPS is good!! at least you didnt go a cheaper route. It should not be crap. Not a Mac but...
I sure hope Dell is a good choice... bought one myself not that long ago. So far it works great. 🙂
Got a Latitude E6510 though.

/SK
 
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