I'm having startup probs with Winders XP. I can't think why it should happen,there's been no recent insallations or owt, been going on nicely, then BINGO!Please excuse the lack of technical jargon, and if there are any replies it's best if you keep your explanation VERY simple,thanks. Obviously I can log on eventually, otherwise I wouldn't be sending now, but it can take up to7 or 8 goes.3 this morning.Once I do log on all is O.K.
At any point from switching on (sometimes a beep,sometimes not) to the desktop appearing ,the comp freezes or crashes.It's very intermitent. It says there is an inconsistency in my C drive (white letters blue b/ground).
I've one disk split(?) into two C & D the disk drive is MAXTOR 2OFO4OJO if that's any help. Ive tried restore,deleting cookies, deleting temp files,error checking and defrag. C drive is 26.7 gb with 17.8 freespace, D drive 11.4 gb with 11.3 freespace,other specs are 1.26 Ghz, 112 Megs of RAM. I've been advised to reinstall XP, do you think that would help, or should I take the machine out and shoot it?
Thanks for any help

hm so youve scandisked and defragged?
errrm
sounded like it could be a disc error but if scandisc didnt tell you any errors it might not be.
could be a ram error, could you borrow some memory off somebody to stick in?

could be a ram error, could you borrow some memory off somebody to stick in?

I'd deffinately check the memory first:thumbsup:.

Also, 112M of RAM is a small ammount of memory (now-a-days). What is it - a 64, 32 & 16M stick, or 64 + 64 - 16 for onboard GFX, or a straight 128 with 16M used for onboard GFX?

I'd deffinately check the memory first:thumbsup:.

Also, 112M of RAM is a small ammount of memory (now-a-days). What is it - a 64, 32 & 16M stick, or 64 + 64 - 16 for onboard GFX, or a straight 128 with 16M used for onboard GFX?

i only have 250mb :P

yes my puter struggles :(

i only have 250mb :P

yes my puter struggles :(

Still double the OP's, though:).

I've a laptop with 32M:o. No way will XP run on it (not that I'd want it to):D.

I'd give it a 90% chance of a ram fault, those 'beeps' are a dead giveaway.

Given the above, I don't know why no-one's told you to run memtest86+.

http://www.memtest.org/

FULL test on your memory.

I'm having startup probs with Winders XP. I can't think why it should happen,there's been no recent insallations or owt, been going on nicely, then BINGO!Please excuse the lack of technical jargon, and if there are any replies it's best if you keep your explanation VERY simple,thanks. Obviously I can log on eventually, otherwise I wouldn't be sending now, but it can take up to7 or 8 goes.3 this morning.Once I do log on all is O.K.
At any point from switching on (sometimes a beep,sometimes not) to the desktop appearing ,the comp freezes or crashes.It's very intermitent. It says there is an inconsistency in my C drive (white letters blue b/ground).
I've one disk split(?) into two C & D the disk drive is MAXTOR 2OFO4OJO if that's any help. Ive tried restore,deleting cookies, deleting temp files,error checking and defrag. C drive is 26.7 gb with 17.8 freespace, D drive 11.4 gb with 11.3 freespace,other specs are 1.26 Ghz, 112 Megs of RAM. I've been advised to reinstall XP, do you think that would help, or should I take the machine out and shoot it?
Thanks for any help


I the same problem a few weeks ago.....intermittent blue screen at start up.

It turned out that i needed to update the graphics controller software on the mother board.

What processor have you got?

Sheffdan
AMD ATHLON processor

Sheffdan
AMD ATHLON processor

Oh right mines Pentium 4 . Right click on my computer and select hardware, then click on device manager, find display adapters and click on the plus sign.

What does it say???

Sheffdan
SiS630/730

Given the above, I don't know why no-one's told you to run memtest86+.

http://www.memtest.org/

FULL test on your memory.
Thanks alkatraz,I appreciate your help. had a look on that web there are so many to choose from I don't know which one to use.Which one do I use?? As I said at the start of my thread you'll need to make explanations VERY simple. What seems basic to you is rocket science to me and quite intimidating.
Thanks

Download this:
http://www.memtest.org/download/1.65/memtest86+-1.65.floppy.zip

Unzip it, and write it to a floppy disk. Then put the floppy in and reboot to boot from the floppy.

Download this:
http://www.memtest.org/download/1.65/memtest86+-1.65.floppy.zip

Unzip it, and write it to a floppy disk. Then put the floppy in and reboot to boot from the floppy.
Do I put them all on the floppy, or just the one on that says memtest.bin?

unzip all the files zip file and put them all on the floppy then read the readme file

unzip all the files zip file and put them all on the floppy then read the readme file
Ta, esme.As you can tell, i know nothing.I shouldn't really be allowed a computer.

no worries if you get stuck come back and ask ;)

Sheffdan
SiS630/730

If its not your RAM and you dont get it sorted here's how to update your graphics driver/controller -

First of all if I was you I’d create a restore point just in case anything goes wrong.

Restart in safe mode, then start>run> type msconfig>click on the services tab and put a tick in the box to hide microsoft drivers>click disable all the other drivers>click apply then click close> IGNORE THE OPTION TO RESTART, DO NOT RESTART> right click on my computer>click on properties and select hardware, then click on device manager>find display adapters and click on the plus sign>right click on the graphics driver/contoller and select uninstall>restart the pc> go to this web page http://modrv.com/display_adapters/sis/1649prog.html

and install SiS 630/730 Graphic Driver v2.09 >restart the pc>then go back to msconfig and services and click on enable all drivers>restart again

That should be it.

Thankyou everybody for trying to help unfortunately your explanations are far,far too complicated for me to follow, and so full of jargon as to be nonsensical to me.I've tried rebooting (what does that mean??)that floppy and spent about 1 1/2 hours watching the memtest thing just doing the same thing over and over again and I'm very tired. I finally pressed ESC to reboot and it's made no difference. Looks like I'll have to take it to a shop and hope they don't notice the stove in front(I'm not kidding!).like i said before what seems basic to you is far above my head. Thanks again for trying to help.

Did you read the instructions for Memtest86?