Posts by Xlphos

Hello,

Alternatively if you open the disk manager (i type "disk man" in search when pressing start button) you can create a mirror and mirror a partition from the 1.5TB drive to the 500GB drive but it would have to fit on the other drive. Both disks would then become dynamic disks, this can be a problem when trying to alter partitions later on.

You should be able to then remove the mirror and keep it on the 500GB drive but that will remain a dynamic drive.

- Let us know how it goes.

Hello,

There isn't a problem with your hard drive its the way manufacturers make their disks.
If you look at the size of the disk there should be about 80,000,000,000 bytes. Manufacturers usually call 1GB 1,000,000,000 bytes.

Hello,

You can choose how much space you want for your ubuntu installation. Have a look at this system requirements to find out more.

Depending on how much free space and what you will use it for will determine the size you should choose, I split my disk in halve with a 2GB swap partition.

Considering your disk I would suggest 60GB for Windows, 2GB swap partition and the rest for Ubuntu.

When installing your operating systems install Windows first and then Ubuntu.

By the way "distro" means distribution, I was refering to which Linux operating system you wanted to use.

You mention installing three potential systems which is the third?

-Let us know how it goes.

Hello,

Changing your password is a start(from a clean computer). You may have a keylogger installed. I am not a virus expert but you should scan your computer for malware. In the mean time don't login to any websites (hotmail, bank accounts) for now.

Have a look at the readme's for this part of the forum Here.

- Let us know how it goes

Hello,

i have recently had a similar problem. If you enter BIOS is the hard drive detected?

To enter BIOS you need to press a key once you turn the pc on (when that AMI message comes up) it should say something like press F2/del to enter BIOS. Press whichever key it says is for BIOS.

Have a look through the menus and see if the hard drive is listed. You may have to let us know what is listed if you can't find it your self.

- Let us know how it goes.

Hello,

It should be quite easy to dual boot XP and linux. Currently I dual boot Ubuntu and Win 7 and I can do more or less do everything I want to on ubuntu. I have installed Ubuntu, Fedora and Opensuse and have never had any issues.

What you should do is burn the distro you want to disc and then there's usually an install icon on the desktop, click on this follow the steps and when presented with the option of were to install linux you should shrink the XP partition and create partitions for swap and the linux installation.

- Let us know how it goes.

Hello,

Thinking about overheating can you see the temperature inside the case and CPU? does it rise to a high temperature? Can you turn the PC on again as soon as it switches itself off?

- Let us know how it goes

Hello,

Don't know much about your brand of router but make sure all the correct details are entered into the repeater. As above turn DHCP off on the repeater and if you need to manually assign an IP address make sure it isn't the same as any other device on the network including the router.

Have you managed to get the router and repeater communicating?

- Let us know how it goes.

Hello,

If you have another pc you could put the old hard drive into a working computer and transfer the data over to another source e.g. external hard drive. If you have more free space than used on the old hard drive you could use a linux live cd to shrink the existing partition and reinstall windows on a new partition(using the freespace) then transfer the data over to the new installation.

You could do with testing the components first. You should test to see if the PSU is working if not get another. Then test the working PSU with the current mother board, you should also test everything else, graphics card(if seperate), hard drive etc...

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Hello,

If it were me I would concentrate more on the specs of the card I was getting. Then if the brand was unfamiliar I'd check comments/reviews.

To be honest though I would probably spend a bit extra for a reputable brand if it were of the same spec of a lesser brand. Check the warranty some manufacturers offer a warranty longer than 12 months.

hi, here's what i use ,and have for a few yrs now ,and it fits everyones' budget ,Free!
use ccleaner for cleaning temp and other unnecessary file ,and tidy up the registry ,and Defragler for de-fraging hdd,and Recuva if you need to try and recover any deleted files . good luck

http://www.piriform.com/

I use these tools myself and would also recommend them. I have used all three and haven't had a problem with them. You can get windows to defrag your hard drive but I liked XP's defrag better as I could see whats going on.

I have also used this registry defrag on occasion here.

Hello,

You say that the screen is mint until windows loads, is this all the screen or stripes, is there any flickering?

If the screen is mint before the operating system loads then is could be a hardware problem. Post the spec of the laptop, the name and model number of the laptop may be helpful, there maybe a known isues with it.

- Let us know how it goes.

Hello,

Do the problems present themselves once windows has started or as soon as you turn the computer on?

I would suggest you try using a Linux live CD to see if the hardware is working. If the live CD works then it could be you windows installation.

- Let us know how it goes.

Do you have more detail on the graphics card you are using?

Hello,

Have a look at this.

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Hello,

Could you give a little more detail please?

eg, when does this message come up, when did it start to happen etc..

Hi,

Just to check your not running Windows 7 RC are you?

Hello,

I don't know much about gateway's but if you enter the BIOS does it not show the fan's status (like fan speed temp etc..). Some motherboards adjust fan speed to maintain a certain temperature, one of my computers turned the fan off if it wasn't to hot.

You maybe able to set the fan speed in the BIOS.

Let us know how it goes.

Reinstalling windows should fix that problem but you would lose your data.

You can get you data by:

1. Booting up from a Linux live CD and transfer the files to a external drive.
2. Use a Linux live CD to shrink the windows partition and create a new partition, install windows on the new partition and transfer the files over, or
3. Remove the hard drive and connect it to another pc either internally or use an external box and transfer the files that way, then reinstall windows.

Hello,

Check the cables connecting CD drive.
Does the CD drive light light up?
Does the CD tray open?

Hello,

Can you post you computer specs?
your graphics card may not support another monitor.

I don't think you will be able to replace the graphics card for your laptop; usually they are chips fitted on the motherboard. Best thing I can suggest is expanding the RAM if possible. You may also consider other performance tweaks like cleaning your registry or defragging your hard drive.

Hello,

What version of windows are you using?
What type of internet connection are you getting (DSL, ADSL etc...)?
If you don't know what you connection type is let us know your internet providers name and we may get it from that.
Do you connect to the internet via a router?
Is the connection wired or wireless?

Hello,

Have you recently upgraded the graphics card?
Do you have any on-board graphics or another graphics card to try?
Have you got the power connected to the graphics card (if required)?

- Let us know how it goes

Do you know the motherboard model number?

We could do with a more detailed specification. RAM type/frequency, CPU speed etc...

Usually the cheapest and most effective upgrade is increasing the RAM, however you may be limited to certain amounts or may have few slots free.

However it may work out cheaper getting a new motherboard and the components needed.

- Get back to us on those more detailed specs.

Hello,

Do you not think this looks a little messy? You have done a pretty good job getting it working but could you not have spent your time repairing the other laptop?

If you were after a better screen you would have been better hooking it up to a TV, I would want to use a laptop in that state.

Anyway, perhaps someone knows how to solve your problem but you may have been better sorting out the other laptop as opposed to adding this oversized screen.

Yes, put plainly a SATA cable would allow faster data transfer.

As far as connections you would need a computer with a E-SATA port. If were talking external hard drives E-SATA maybe faster but USB is a lot more popular; if your using the drive on different machines you have to think "Will they have a compatable port?" USB ports are near enough standard on PC's now.

It depends on what you are using you lappy for. The SSD is faster but do you need the speed? its twice the price. You know that the WD one should work and shouldn't have any isseues with compatablility either.

Its up to you, if your a lite user you may not need SSD the extra 50 bucks could be spent elsewhere.

Hello,

have you tried removing some components? Try the essentials, try only a few sticks of ram, CPU use onboard GPU.

You do have all the cables connected properly?
Were there no beeps or anything?

Depending on the model of laptop you have, there is normally a function key which lets you select the laptop screen, or the output port, or both.

You usually press a function key and another key which looks like a screen with a line on either side. This is for mine and some others.

You may be able to go into your graphics card menu/program and setup multiple displays.

- Let us know how it goes.

Thats not a very useful pic ( needs a bit more light to focus or turn shake reduction on your camera).

When you boot up do you get any writing or logos on screen?
Have you tried hooking the machine upto a monitor? From the pic it looks like half the screen is missing.

- Let us know how it goes.

Hello,

could you give all your system specs?

Is this a fresh install of XP or have you performed other installations/upgrades?

Hello,

A 10GB harddrive is very small with todays standards.

You could use a linux live cd to delete the FAT32 partition and extend the NTFS one.

You could also alter you page filing system; create a pagefile on the FAT32 partition lets say 2GB (assuming the partiton is empty) then remove the page file from the C drive. This should leave you with a partition for your page file and the other for the operating system etc...

Were it me I would get a new computer but failing that a new hard drive. You must find out the type of the hard drive; I suspect you hard drives are PATA or IDE(as some say). You could get a card to allow you to use SATA but with your specs I don't think it would be worth it.

And it would certainly be worthwhile defraging your hard drive; I bet theres a lot of fragmented files on that disk.

- Let us know how it goes.

Hello,

You may have tried this but can you navigate in the game using keys? try selecting the menus using the arrow keys, tab may also switch selction and also pressing enter or space could be used for something like a tick box.

CTRL+ALT+DEL , ALT+TAB or windows key should bring you out of the game to close it.

- Let us know how it goes.

Just reminding you, this problem still exists. Looks like the changes made to this site haven't changed being redirected to the login page when clicking 'post reply to this thread'.

Hello,

Do you have the vista installation disk or a repair CD/DVD? You should be able to repair vista using these.

- Let us know how it goes.

Someone I know has had a similar issue, they also run vista and never turned it off and eventually it ended up using most of the RAM but not registering it in task manager. I don't have my computer on all the time so I don't have this problem.

Like I said the only solution I can think of is to restart or shut down the computer instead of leaving it on or sleeping/hibernating it. Anyway...

If you have plenty of time and a external hard drive you may want to back the computer up and try restoring it to a point over two weeks ago. Do you know if you installed a specific program when the problem started or maybe a particular update? - you may find the problem but it could be a waste of time.

- Let us know how it goes.

If you are using a 32-bit version of Win 7 you will not be able to use over 4GB and the one you ordered will not use all of the RAM either.

You may want to check if you can actually increase the RAM for your laptop; if you can't its not much loss, a 64-bit version would be better if you can you may want to try and exchange it but I wouldn't pay much; perhaps pay shipping back and forth and get them to knock off what you paid for it off a 64-bit version.

If you you don't use your laptop intensively then there may not be need for the extra RAM. It's your decision.

- Let us know how it goes.

If you have the DVD for windows I don't see why you can't reinstall it. As you can boot into windows I don't see why you can't insert the installation/recovery DVD and restore/reinstall the operating system.

Hello,

It does sound like a memory leak. I assume that you leave your computer on and that causes the ram usage to build. As this takes days to happen you could shut the computer down when you are finished with it for the day or you could try to find the memory leak if it is linked to a particular process, however if it is built into windows there maybe little you can do.

When did this start happening?

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Hello,

You have a rather strange arrangement of partitions. (Whilst your fiddling with partitions why don't you name them appropriately) have you installed 2 lots of windows?

As I see it this is what should happen; you turn the PC on the GRUB loads showing Linux(Ubuntu) and Windows(XP).If you select Ubuntu that loads or XP and that loads.

Can you boot into Ubuntu?
Can you boot into Windows?

Ubuntu saying something was unsafely removed may suggest that the a disk perhaps disk 2 is having problems, also the fact windows isn't booting also points in that direction.

You should get what files you can off the dying disk and reinstall windows, and don't use the dying disk.

Ideally I you should have the operating systems on the fastest disk, and also where is your swap partition for Ubuntu?

You should use Ubuntu to find out the partition types. But I suspect that disk 2 has almost had it.

BTW that green box show it is an extended partition.

- Let us know how it goes.

Hello,

I am not to sure what you are after. Do you want the screen to be streched across both monitors or are you after the same screen being displayed on both screens?

Did the program run?

You may put the program executable manually in the programs folder. Try dragging the executable over the start button, then over the all programs and then release the executable in the programs folder. (keep the mouse button down until you get the exe icon to were you want it)

- Let us know how it goes.

Hello,

Did you install the software or just download the installer.

Have you tried navigating to the folder the software installed to? There may be an executable their to start the program; you could create a short cut to the executable.

Some software provides you with a choice to show the program in the start menu maybe that option wasn't selected or by default didn't list it's self.

- Let us know how it goes.

Hello,

You should have no problem dual booting XP and win 7.

I have three operating systems and all are listed; just make sure you install the oldest operating system first.

XP then Win 7. Windows 7 should detect XP and create an entry for that. if that doesn't work you could try EasyBCD.

- Let us know how it goes.

Hello,

Have you tried anything so far?

Is the motherboard the same as the previous one or is it different?

If it is exactly the same as the last one (except for the damage) you should be okay reconnecting everything and that should work, but if it is different then the OS will need to be reinstalled.

If there is data on the hard drive then you may want to back it up.

- Let us know how it goes.

Hello,

Does this motherboard not have any on-board graphics?

You said you tryed it with just the basics; have you tried starting the machine with all the drives disconnected?

Also you may want to try reseating you RAM modules. If you have a few memory modules try swapping some memory out.

Did you struggle pulling out the Ethernet cable? (maybe damage the network connection)
Also why did you switch ports?

- Let us know how it goes.

Hello,

You should try a Linux live CD to see if the hard drive is OK, you can also do a memtest (RAM test) from most live CDs.

You maybe able to get Sony to send some new restore CD/DVDs but you may have to pay for them.

Do you know anyone who has installation CD/DVDs that are the same operating system version you are using; you could use these to repair the installation.

I don't think it is a RAM problem, more likely a HDD problem.

- Let us know how it goes.

Hello,

Can I just ask why you are thinking of switching to Linux?

Hi there....I have this exact same problem. Computer was working fine and I was moving the ethernet cable from one port to another and when I reattched it the computer just switched off...and on restart was beeping constantly.

I took out the battery on the mobo to reset it and it will restart fine and seems to be booting up (by sound of it anyways) but there is no video output. I have tested it with an older (known working) card but still nothing.

It also will not turn off by holding the power button and the only way I can power it off is by switching the off switch on the rear on the PSU.

Help please??

Thanks,

Kelly

Hello,

You should really start your own thread. It sounds to me like the cause of your problem is different than the original post.
The original post mentions changing hardware previously, you say that you just switched Ethernet ports.

- Start your own thread and we will try and help.