EbonyFunk
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Is my machine dying?
I have a Windows XP, AMD Athlon 64 3400+, 2gig, four hard drive system. I have three weird problems going on with my computer and I'm afraid I'm going to lose all my applications.
The first problem is I have to almost always reboot my computer the first time I boot it up. It gets stuck on the screen that says, "Press <Tab> to switch to POST or <DEL> to run BIOS Setup." Once I restart the computer, it boots up fine, but it worries me that I have to always reboot. This has been a problem from day one. Is this a sign that the hard drive is going to fail?
The second problem is that for some reason, one of my hard drives (not the main one) switched to a RAW File System. All the data on that drive was lost. What the heck could've cause this? Fortunately, it was my least important drive and I was able to recover the data using a program called "Zero Assumption Recovery."
The last issue is not really a problem I guess, but somehow, three mysterious files, with names that look like long random numbers and letters, popped up on one drive. Inside each of the files is a file labled i386. I read somewhere that this shouldn't be deleted, but where the heck did they come from?
The last two issues seemed to have appeared after installing M-Powered Pro-Tools. I have three versions of Sonar on my computer and have never had the last two issues. The first problem has always been there.
Is it time for a new machine?
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spindlebox
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RE: Is my machine dying?
March 20, 08 5:11 AM
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I'm no computer tech, but it sounds like it's time to backup and do a reinstall of everything, especially your system/program drive. When was the last time you did that? I recommend every 6 months or so do a complete wipe and re-install. It also teaches you to backup on a regular basis and be organized about it. I try to keep my programs on my sytem drive, and data on my other, larger drive.
If you don't want to do that. Use your XP disk to to a reinstall of XP. There's an option to FIX AN EXISTING INSTALLATION.
Other than that, disk clean, defrag and all of those other maintenance tools.
Good luck!
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ed97643
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RE: Is my machine dying?
March 20, 08 5:39 AM
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Do a google search of the names of the three mystery files. The search will help you figure out what they are & what program they belong with. The boot up thing sounds like a BIOS problem to me. Check your boot order in your BIOS. Try having it search the C:\ drive first and see if that helps.
post edited by ed97643 - March 20, 08 5:56 AM
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Roflcopter
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RE: Is my machine dying?
March 20, 08 5:47 AM
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The boot up thing sounds like a BIOS problem to me. +1 to that suggestion. Check everything having to do with it, battery/contacts could be iffy , CMOS could be corrupted, but I think that's the right angle. Could also explain resulting drive problems, if BIOS-settings change at random ...
I'm a perfectionist, and perfect is a skinned knee.
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epillarbox
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RE: Is my machine dying?
March 20, 08 7:25 AM
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I once experienced something like this and it turned out to be a duff RAM chip. How is your 2GB configured? If it's 2×1GB, remove one and boot up. If the problem persists, swap them round and try again. If the problem persists, the problem lies elsewhere.
Good luck,
Laurence
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warble
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RE: Is my machine dying?
March 20, 08 9:37 AM
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Too late now, but a good option would be to create an image of the install drive. I've made several images along the way as I've installed various apps, drivers, etc. I can simply go back to a good configuration or back to the beginning if I want - without having to do a complete reinstall to messing around with trying to fix an install (how often does that work consistently well). I use Acronis True Image and it works well. Anyway, all this for future reference...
Have you updated your BIOS lately? Others have posted some good info here to get you started on troubleshooting.
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bassman99
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RE: Is my machine dying?
March 20, 08 9:40 AM
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+1 on being memory or BIOS. Does not sound like hard-disk to me.
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philipstaley
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RE: Is my machine dying?
March 20, 08 11:02 AM
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I agree that two of the most likely causes are the CMOS battery and possibly memory. I would start by replacing the battery. If that does it great. If not, assuming you have 2, 1GB memory SIMMS, remove one SIMM and see how it runs. If it's still not stable, swap the SIMMS and try again.
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epillarbox
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RE: Is my machine dying?
March 20, 08 11:51 AM
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ORIGINAL: philipstaley
I would start by replacing the battery.
I would start by trying something that wasn't going to cost me anything to do, like this: If not, assuming you have 2, 1GB memory SIMMS, remove one SIMM and see how it runs. If it's still not stable, swap the SIMMS and try again. Now that's a good idea - why didn't I think of that? Oh, wait a bit, I did. Laurence
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EbonyFunk
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RE: Is my machine dying?
March 20, 08 11:06 PM
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I'll try all of your suggestions. Thanks everyone!
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