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question again, hardware or software problem?



 
 
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  #1  
Old May 23rd 05, 06:11 PM
bg
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default question again, hardware or software problem?

I posted this a few days ago and some kind people said they thought it was
faulty memory. I have replaced the memory in the machine and upgraded it to
512MB. It is very zippy but I still have the same problem. It won't load
drivers for anything. Anyone have any other suggestions? I am going to try
a clean install but am I wasting my time if it is a hardware problem?

Thanks!......

Hi,

I have a strange problem and I want to post this here just to hear people's
opinions. I don't know whether this is a software or a hardware problem.
This is the case...

Have a Dell 2400 Dimension, 2.4 Ghz, 128 MB DDR (I know, too little but I am
going to upgrade this in the process) running XP home. Anyway, I have a
problem that every time I boot the computer, it reinstalls the SAmsung CD-RW.
Goes thru the hardware config, tells me it can't find any drivers for it,
but it shows up in the device manager sometimes with the yellow exclamation
mark, sometimes not. But either way, it still works! That's the first
thing. It also shows in device manager a yellow question mark next to the
graphics card, but the graphics card is listed fine under the display adapter
and there is no display problem. I tried to reinstall the drivers from the
Dell disk and it says it can't find any drivers in the folder they extract
into even tho I can see the driver there. It gets stranger. I tried to
install an HP 1215 psc printer, and I can't install it. Again I think it is
a driver problem. The printer installs with no problem on the other machine
we have which is also a Dell with XP home so I know it's not the printer. It
too shows up in device manager with a yellow mark, when I try to point it and
manually reinstall drivers, it says it can't find any drivers. There are no
other HP products on the machine to interfere and I have installed and
reinstalled it several times with scrubbers and removal from registry. The
final thing is I plugged in a Kingston USB data traveler, it finds the device
but again it says it can't find any drivers for it. This is a plug and play
device and installs fine on the other computer. The computer doesn't seem to
be able to recognise drivers of any kind.

So, my question is, do you think this is likely a hardware problem or a
software problem? I am going to wipe and reinstall the whole system but if
it is a hardware problem, ie the motherboard dieing, I don't want to waste my
time or money buying more memory. I welcome anyone's two cents. Or possible
solutions!

thanks
Wendie

Ads
  #2  
Old May 23rd 05, 06:16 PM
Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Wendie

Go to this website, and read up/print out how to do a 'repair' install..

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com

--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/User
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm





"bg" wrote in message
...
I posted this a few days ago and some kind people said they thought it was
faulty memory. I have replaced the memory in the machine and upgraded it
to
512MB. It is very zippy but I still have the same problem. It won't load
drivers for anything. Anyone have any other suggestions? I am going to
try
a clean install but am I wasting my time if it is a hardware problem?

Thanks!......

Hi,

I have a strange problem and I want to post this here just to hear
people's
opinions. I don't know whether this is a software or a hardware problem.
This is the case...

Have a Dell 2400 Dimension, 2.4 Ghz, 128 MB DDR (I know, too little but I
am
going to upgrade this in the process) running XP home. Anyway, I have a
problem that every time I boot the computer, it reinstalls the SAmsung
CD-RW.
Goes thru the hardware config, tells me it can't find any drivers for it,
but it shows up in the device manager sometimes with the yellow
exclamation
mark, sometimes not. But either way, it still works! That's the first
thing. It also shows in device manager a yellow question mark next to the
graphics card, but the graphics card is listed fine under the display
adapter
and there is no display problem. I tried to reinstall the drivers from the
Dell disk and it says it can't find any drivers in the folder they extract
into even tho I can see the driver there. It gets stranger. I tried to
install an HP 1215 psc printer, and I can't install it. Again I think it
is
a driver problem. The printer installs with no problem on the other
machine
we have which is also a Dell with XP home so I know it's not the printer.
It
too shows up in device manager with a yellow mark, when I try to point it
and
manually reinstall drivers, it says it can't find any drivers. There are
no
other HP products on the machine to interfere and I have installed and
reinstalled it several times with scrubbers and removal from registry.
The
final thing is I plugged in a Kingston USB data traveler, it finds the
device
but again it says it can't find any drivers for it. This is a plug and
play
device and installs fine on the other computer. The computer doesn't seem
to
be able to recognise drivers of any kind.

So, my question is, do you think this is likely a hardware problem or a
software problem? I am going to wipe and reinstall the whole system but
if
it is a hardware problem, ie the motherboard dieing, I don't want to waste
my
time or money buying more memory. I welcome anyone's two cents. Or
possible
solutions!

thanks
Wendie



  #3  
Old May 23rd 05, 06:36 PM
Byte
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Completely uninstall the all-in-one printer and unplug it. Reboot the PC.
Now reinsert the installation CD you got from HP to install the printer.
During
the installation process, the app will tell you when to plug in the printer
to the
USB port and when to turn the power on. You should have gotten a quick
installation guide with the printer. If all else fails, read
instructions..............
--
Today is the first day of the rest of
your life.


"bg" wrote:

I posted this a few days ago and some kind people said they thought it was
faulty memory. I have replaced the memory in the machine and upgraded it to
512MB. It is very zippy but I still have the same problem. It won't load
drivers for anything. Anyone have any other suggestions? I am going to try
a clean install but am I wasting my time if it is a hardware problem?

Thanks!......

Hi,

I have a strange problem and I want to post this here just to hear people's
opinions. I don't know whether this is a software or a hardware problem.
This is the case...

Have a Dell 2400 Dimension, 2.4 Ghz, 128 MB DDR (I know, too little but I am
going to upgrade this in the process) running XP home. Anyway, I have a
problem that every time I boot the computer, it reinstalls the SAmsung CD-RW.
Goes thru the hardware config, tells me it can't find any drivers for it,
but it shows up in the device manager sometimes with the yellow exclamation
mark, sometimes not. But either way, it still works! That's the first
thing. It also shows in device manager a yellow question mark next to the
graphics card, but the graphics card is listed fine under the display adapter
and there is no display problem. I tried to reinstall the drivers from the
Dell disk and it says it can't find any drivers in the folder they extract
into even tho I can see the driver there. It gets stranger. I tried to
install an HP 1215 psc printer, and I can't install it. Again I think it is
a driver problem. The printer installs with no problem on the other machine
we have which is also a Dell with XP home so I know it's not the printer. It
too shows up in device manager with a yellow mark, when I try to point it and
manually reinstall drivers, it says it can't find any drivers. There are no
other HP products on the machine to interfere and I have installed and
reinstalled it several times with scrubbers and removal from registry. The
final thing is I plugged in a Kingston USB data traveler, it finds the device
but again it says it can't find any drivers for it. This is a plug and play
device and installs fine on the other computer. The computer doesn't seem to
be able to recognise drivers of any kind.

So, my question is, do you think this is likely a hardware problem or a
software problem? I am going to wipe and reinstall the whole system but if
it is a hardware problem, ie the motherboard dieing, I don't want to waste my
time or money buying more memory. I welcome anyone's two cents. Or possible
solutions!

thanks
Wendie

  #4  
Old May 23rd 05, 06:45 PM
Steve N.
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

bg wrote:
I posted this a few days ago and some kind people said they thought it was
faulty memory. I have replaced the memory in the machine and upgraded it to
512MB. It is very zippy but I still have the same problem. It won't load
drivers for anything. Anyone have any other suggestions? I am going to try
a clean install but am I wasting my time if it is a hardware problem?

Thanks!......

Hi,

I have a strange problem and I want to post this here just to hear people's
opinions. I don't know whether this is a software or a hardware problem.
This is the case...

Have a Dell 2400 Dimension, 2.4 Ghz, 128 MB DDR (I know, too little but I am
going to upgrade this in the process) running XP home. Anyway, I have a
problem that every time I boot the computer, it reinstalls the SAmsung CD-RW.
Goes thru the hardware config, tells me it can't find any drivers for it,
but it shows up in the device manager sometimes with the yellow exclamation
mark, sometimes not. But either way, it still works! That's the first
thing. It also shows in device manager a yellow question mark next to the
graphics card, but the graphics card is listed fine under the display adapter
and there is no display problem. I tried to reinstall the drivers from the
Dell disk and it says it can't find any drivers in the folder they extract
into even tho I can see the driver there. It gets stranger. I tried to
install an HP 1215 psc printer, and I can't install it. Again I think it is
a driver problem. The printer installs with no problem on the other machine
we have which is also a Dell with XP home so I know it's not the printer. It
too shows up in device manager with a yellow mark, when I try to point it and
manually reinstall drivers, it says it can't find any drivers. There are no
other HP products on the machine to interfere and I have installed and
reinstalled it several times with scrubbers and removal from registry. The
final thing is I plugged in a Kingston USB data traveler, it finds the device
but again it says it can't find any drivers for it. This is a plug and play
device and installs fine on the other computer. The computer doesn't seem to
be able to recognise drivers of any kind.

So, my question is, do you think this is likely a hardware problem or a
software problem? I am going to wipe and reinstall the whole system but if
it is a hardware problem, ie the motherboard dieing, I don't want to waste my
time or money buying more memory. I welcome anyone's two cents. Or possible
solutions!

thanks
Wendie


First I'd run CHKDSK /F to make sure hte file system is clean.

I would then try geting new drivers from Dell's support website for your
machine, start with the chipset drivers and go from there. Installing
Dell drivers can be confusing, they extract into numbered folders that
don't give any indication what they are for after extracted, so you have
to pay attention as to what drivers got extracted to what folders.

If that doesn't work then I'd try running SFC/ Scannow. If that still
doesn't work then follow Mike Hall's advice about a repair install. I
tend to recommend repair installs as a next to last resort.

Steve

  #5  
Old May 23rd 05, 06:54 PM
bg
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

I have done all this several times, including downloading latest software
from web. It is just not the printer, it is everything else that won't
install as well!.. I'll read the instructions if you read my note properly.
The printer is just one of many things that won't install. The Kingston USB
is a plug and play with XP and it doesn't install either. All I wanted was
opinions on whether it is a hardware or software issue.
Thanks for trying.

"Byte" wrote:

Completely uninstall the all-in-one printer and unplug it. Reboot the PC.
Now reinsert the installation CD you got from HP to install the printer.
During
the installation process, the app will tell you when to plug in the printer
to the
USB port and when to turn the power on. You should have gotten a quick
installation guide with the printer. If all else fails, read
instructions..............
--
Today is the first day of the rest of
your life.


"bg" wrote:

I posted this a few days ago and some kind people said they thought it was
faulty memory. I have replaced the memory in the machine and upgraded it to
512MB. It is very zippy but I still have the same problem. It won't load
drivers for anything. Anyone have any other suggestions? I am going to try
a clean install but am I wasting my time if it is a hardware problem?

Thanks!......

Hi,

I have a strange problem and I want to post this here just to hear people's
opinions. I don't know whether this is a software or a hardware problem.
This is the case...

Have a Dell 2400 Dimension, 2.4 Ghz, 128 MB DDR (I know, too little but I am
going to upgrade this in the process) running XP home. Anyway, I have a
problem that every time I boot the computer, it reinstalls the SAmsung CD-RW.
Goes thru the hardware config, tells me it can't find any drivers for it,
but it shows up in the device manager sometimes with the yellow exclamation
mark, sometimes not. But either way, it still works! That's the first
thing. It also shows in device manager a yellow question mark next to the
graphics card, but the graphics card is listed fine under the display adapter
and there is no display problem. I tried to reinstall the drivers from the
Dell disk and it says it can't find any drivers in the folder they extract
into even tho I can see the driver there. It gets stranger. I tried to
install an HP 1215 psc printer, and I can't install it. Again I think it is
a driver problem. The printer installs with no problem on the other machine
we have which is also a Dell with XP home so I know it's not the printer. It
too shows up in device manager with a yellow mark, when I try to point it and
manually reinstall drivers, it says it can't find any drivers. There are no
other HP products on the machine to interfere and I have installed and
reinstalled it several times with scrubbers and removal from registry. The
final thing is I plugged in a Kingston USB data traveler, it finds the device
but again it says it can't find any drivers for it. This is a plug and play
device and installs fine on the other computer. The computer doesn't seem to
be able to recognise drivers of any kind.

So, my question is, do you think this is likely a hardware problem or a
software problem? I am going to wipe and reinstall the whole system but if
it is a hardware problem, ie the motherboard dieing, I don't want to waste my
time or money buying more memory. I welcome anyone's two cents. Or possible
solutions!

thanks
Wendie

  #6  
Old May 23rd 05, 07:06 PM
bg
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Thank you Mike, I am trying that now. I wasn't sure if Dell just supplied a
recovery disk or a full software version. Seems they are generous. I'll let
you know if it works...
Wendie

"Mike Hall (MS-MVP)" wrote:

Wendie

Go to this website, and read up/print out how to do a 'repair' install..

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com

--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/User
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm





"bg" wrote in message
...
I posted this a few days ago and some kind people said they thought it was
faulty memory. I have replaced the memory in the machine and upgraded it
to
512MB. It is very zippy but I still have the same problem. It won't load
drivers for anything. Anyone have any other suggestions? I am going to
try
a clean install but am I wasting my time if it is a hardware problem?

Thanks!......

Hi,

I have a strange problem and I want to post this here just to hear
people's
opinions. I don't know whether this is a software or a hardware problem.
This is the case...

Have a Dell 2400 Dimension, 2.4 Ghz, 128 MB DDR (I know, too little but I
am
going to upgrade this in the process) running XP home. Anyway, I have a
problem that every time I boot the computer, it reinstalls the SAmsung
CD-RW.
Goes thru the hardware config, tells me it can't find any drivers for it,
but it shows up in the device manager sometimes with the yellow
exclamation
mark, sometimes not. But either way, it still works! That's the first
thing. It also shows in device manager a yellow question mark next to the
graphics card, but the graphics card is listed fine under the display
adapter
and there is no display problem. I tried to reinstall the drivers from the
Dell disk and it says it can't find any drivers in the folder they extract
into even tho I can see the driver there. It gets stranger. I tried to
install an HP 1215 psc printer, and I can't install it. Again I think it
is
a driver problem. The printer installs with no problem on the other
machine
we have which is also a Dell with XP home so I know it's not the printer.
It
too shows up in device manager with a yellow mark, when I try to point it
and
manually reinstall drivers, it says it can't find any drivers. There are
no
other HP products on the machine to interfere and I have installed and
reinstalled it several times with scrubbers and removal from registry.
The
final thing is I plugged in a Kingston USB data traveler, it finds the
device
but again it says it can't find any drivers for it. This is a plug and
play
device and installs fine on the other computer. The computer doesn't seem
to
be able to recognise drivers of any kind.

So, my question is, do you think this is likely a hardware problem or a
software problem? I am going to wipe and reinstall the whole system but
if
it is a hardware problem, ie the motherboard dieing, I don't want to waste
my
time or money buying more memory. I welcome anyone's two cents. Or
possible
solutions!

thanks
Wendie




  #7  
Old May 23rd 05, 07:16 PM
Peter Foldes
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

To be a little blunt about this, it is a user and software problem. =
Follow Mike Hall's and Steve N advice. You can also check in Services =
if Windows User Mode Driver is Enabled as Manual not as Disabled

--=20
Peter

Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others
Email is Disabled


"bg" wrote in message =
...
I posted this a few days ago and some kind people said they thought it =

was=20
faulty memory. I have replaced the memory in the machine and upgraded =

it to=20
512MB. It is very zippy but I still have the same problem. It won't =

load=20
drivers for anything. Anyone have any other suggestions? I am going =

to try=20
a clean install but am I wasting my time if it is a hardware problem?
=20
Thanks!......
=20
Hi,
=20
I have a strange problem and I want to post this here just to hear =

people's=20
opinions. I don't know whether this is a software or a hardware =

problem. =20
This is the case...
=20
Have a Dell 2400 Dimension, 2.4 Ghz, 128 MB DDR (I know, too little =

but I am=20
going to upgrade this in the process) running XP home. Anyway, I have =

a=20
problem that every time I boot the computer, it reinstalls the SAmsung =

CD-RW.=20
Goes thru the hardware config, tells me it can't find any drivers for =

it,=20
but it shows up in the device manager sometimes with the yellow =

exclamation=20
mark, sometimes not. But either way, it still works! That's the =

first=20
thing. It also shows in device manager a yellow question mark next to =

the=20
graphics card, but the graphics card is listed fine under the display =

adapter=20
and there is no display problem. I tried to reinstall the drivers from =

the=20
Dell disk and it says it can't find any drivers in the folder they =

extract=20
into even tho I can see the driver there. It gets stranger. I tried =

to=20
install an HP 1215 psc printer, and I can't install it. Again I think =

it is=20
a driver problem. The printer installs with no problem on the other =

machine=20
we have which is also a Dell with XP home so I know it's not the =

printer. It=20
too shows up in device manager with a yellow mark, when I try to point =

it and=20
manually reinstall drivers, it says it can't find any drivers. There =

are no=20
other HP products on the machine to interfere and I have installed and =


reinstalled it several times with scrubbers and removal from registry. =

The=20
final thing is I plugged in a Kingston USB data traveler, it finds the =

device=20
but again it says it can't find any drivers for it. This is a plug =

and play=20
device and installs fine on the other computer. The computer doesn't =

seem to=20
be able to recognise drivers of any kind.
=20
So, my question is, do you think this is likely a hardware problem or =

a=20
software problem? I am going to wipe and reinstall the whole system =

but if=20
it is a hardware problem, ie the motherboard dieing, I don't want to =

waste my=20
time or money buying more memory. I welcome anyone's two cents. Or =

possible=20
solutions!
=20
thanks
Wendie

  #8  
Old May 23rd 05, 08:32 PM
bg
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

I got this too late to do the user mode thing. I had already done the Dell
web site driver thing. I did a system repair and things have gone pear
shaped. I didn't think it was going to complete as it was stuck at one point
for a very long time, but after it did, the computer just loops in and out of
booting, I keep getting the screen that it couldn't start properly because of
a hardware software change. I tried safe mode and still get the same, so it
is truly buggered now. Only thing left now is a clean install. But it still
doesn't answer the question if it is hardware or software. I am beginning to
think it is hardware now because it stuck on something like installing
components? Sigh...

Thanks for your input.
Wendie

"Peter Foldes" wrote:

To be a little blunt about this, it is a user and software problem. Follow Mike Hall's and Steve N advice. You can also check in Services if Windows User Mode Driver is Enabled as Manual not as Disabled

--
Peter

Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others
Email is Disabled


"bg" wrote in message ...
I posted this a few days ago and some kind people said they thought it was
faulty memory. I have replaced the memory in the machine and upgraded it to
512MB. It is very zippy but I still have the same problem. It won't load
drivers for anything. Anyone have any other suggestions? I am going to try
a clean install but am I wasting my time if it is a hardware problem?

Thanks!......

Hi,

I have a strange problem and I want to post this here just to hear people's
opinions. I don't know whether this is a software or a hardware problem.
This is the case...

Have a Dell 2400 Dimension, 2.4 Ghz, 128 MB DDR (I know, too little but I am
going to upgrade this in the process) running XP home. Anyway, I have a
problem that every time I boot the computer, it reinstalls the SAmsung CD-RW.
Goes thru the hardware config, tells me it can't find any drivers for it,
but it shows up in the device manager sometimes with the yellow exclamation
mark, sometimes not. But either way, it still works! That's the first
thing. It also shows in device manager a yellow question mark next to the
graphics card, but the graphics card is listed fine under the display adapter
and there is no display problem. I tried to reinstall the drivers from the
Dell disk and it says it can't find any drivers in the folder they extract
into even tho I can see the driver there. It gets stranger. I tried to
install an HP 1215 psc printer, and I can't install it. Again I think it is
a driver problem. The printer installs with no problem on the other machine
we have which is also a Dell with XP home so I know it's not the printer. It
too shows up in device manager with a yellow mark, when I try to point it and
manually reinstall drivers, it says it can't find any drivers. There are no
other HP products on the machine to interfere and I have installed and
reinstalled it several times with scrubbers and removal from registry. The
final thing is I plugged in a Kingston USB data traveler, it finds the device
but again it says it can't find any drivers for it. This is a plug and play
device and installs fine on the other computer. The computer doesn't seem to
be able to recognise drivers of any kind.

So, my question is, do you think this is likely a hardware problem or a
software problem? I am going to wipe and reinstall the whole system but if
it is a hardware problem, ie the motherboard dieing, I don't want to waste my
time or money buying more memory. I welcome anyone's two cents. Or possible
solutions!

thanks
Wendie


  #9  
Old May 23rd 05, 10:44 PM
Peter Foldes
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Are you able to boot to Safe Mode

--=20
Peter

Please Reply to Newsgroup for the benefit of others
Email is Disabled
"bg" wrote in message =
...
I got this too late to do the user mode thing. I had already done the =

Dell=20
web site driver thing. I did a system repair and things have gone =

pear=20

 




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