Whoever wants to try to fix my computer ill give you 50$ if it can be fixed without reformating, or the hard drive crashing. I installed a new antivirus update and that is the only thing i can think of being the problem. It pops up with a blue error screen. I have all my school work, and over 1000 mp3 so if anyone wants to give it a shot let me know. Mike

 

It may be getting fixed, so hold on this...

 

If you don't get it fixed... I'll give it a shot.

 

yeah it still isn't fixed, it won't even boot, but i just got it too right now, but i know its not fixed.

 

It would help to know what any error messages say. But uninstalling the application and restoring the registry back to a previous version would be my first suggestion.

 

welll it is doing a memory dump? The blue screen pops up and tells me that, then when i send an error report, it tells me that its from my antivirus. I tried to do a restore on it and that didn't work, so i don't know what to do. I also tried downloading a few files from symatec website and that didn't work either.

 

What operating system and Antivirus (brand/version#)? Were there any antivirus programs on it before? Did you restore back to the oldest version of the registry? How many memory sticks do you have? Try pulling one out at a time. Try to stop all applications from starting when you boot up the PC. This is obvious but make sure the antivirus is compatible with your hardware/software configuration. Depending on the O/S you might be able to reinstall Windows over top of the old copy. This isn't the best way to fix a problem but sometimes it's the best you can do.

 

- Which OS & service pack? We're all shooting in the dark here until we know what tools are likely to be available to you. I'm getting the impression you're using WinMe based upon your terms.

- If you're running NT/2K/XP, what's the exception code and parameters on the first two lines of the screen during the memory dump? btw, unless you know someone who can decipher that dump, I'd turn it off. It's a waste of time & resources.

- Antivirus update...signature or application update? If it was an application update, the MSI package whould be smart enough to know the prerequisites for an install, especially the OS. Should also check for the necessary base version of the application. The signature updates are typically OS independent on similar hardware architecture.

- How long has your machine been stable with it's current hardware? If you haven't changed hardware recently it would lead me to believe the hardware is not likely to be the culprit unless there are unusual environmental conditions.

- Any power fluctuations while the computer has been on? Are you overclocking any components?

- Have you tried running ScanDisk or Chkdsk on your system drive?

- Which filesystems are you using? If it's a FAT variant, you can use a DOS boot floppy and perhaps you can manually move your data to separate partition or drive. Else, obtain a Linux boot floppy for an NTFS filesystem and do the same, except it'll be a bit more complicated. Don't need the admin password though

- You could install a parallel build of your OS in a different folder (and possibly on another drive depending upon OS) if your drive/partition has sufficient capacity, but you'd need to re-install your applications. But, if all you're worried about are the MP3's and your schoolwork... I prefer not to install the OS back on top of the original because it doesn't replace all files. OEM drivers, random INI files which don't get overwritten due to a later modification date. If you're going to spend the time on a re-install, try the quick way only to insure you're data is safe. After that, blow the MF'er away and start clean.

If you have NT/2K/XP: it won't update your profile until you login. If you have the mandatory login disabled, the Last Known Good menu may not help. Else try that. It'll switch back to the last hardware CurentControlSet which allowed you into a profile. Next I'd try Safe Mode. If you can get into your profile, review your event logs, remove the offending virus application. Search the registry for keywords (Norton, Symantec, Mcafee, etc). Make backups of the keys if you desire, then delete them. Confirm the folders where the application was installed are gone. Move the data files you're concerned about to another partition.

If it is WinMe, I can't help you much on OS specifics. A neighbor had it and after using it I wanted nothing to do with it.

$0.05...

 

i just got done completly reinstalling everything on my roommate's machine........ not doing that again for 50 bucks

 

If I had the time I'd help ya with it, even for the low price of $50 But with the new admin job, the new puppy, the girlfriend, and trying to get my damn bike back from the dealer, I don't have an ounce of spare time these days.

 

After messin with it for three days, i think i finally got it all runnin again. I dont know exactly how i fixed it, but i did. Thanks everyone.

 

thats what we computer geeks refer to as something getting fixed "automagically"