<font color=plum>I am getting SO frustrated with my home PC!!! I've listed the various problems I've had before - but the biggest problem has been that the PC will simply shut down and reboot without ANY warning whatsoever. I then get a message saying <font color=white>"The system has recovered from a serious error."</font>

The frustrating thing is that I JUST GOT MY PC BACK from the shop AGAIN. I took it to a different shop this time and told them I didn't want them to "troubleshoot" or "diagnose" the problem in any way. I simply wanted them to wipe my harddrive clean and do a brand-new, fresh install of the O.S. The previous shop had screwed up my Installation each time they tried it. Even though they eventually got it right, I figured their previous mistakes must have caused some type of anomaly in the system that caused this frequent rebooting. So wiping the system clean and starting over seemed to be the most logical approach to eliminating ANY such anomalies, viruses or anything else that could be causing the problem.

Well, obviously, I was wrong. I got my PC back and deliberately did NOT install anything new on the computer (except for a new game I bought over the weekend). And it has crashed on me TWICE in the last 24 hours. The really frustrating thing is that these crashes occurred right in the middle of along post to another forum. I had been working on one response for over 30 minutes when I had to get up and go help with the baby for a minute. When I came back, the system had rebooted and I lost EVERYTHING! [img]graemlins/madhell.gif[/img]

According to the last Error Report, the problem is supposedly being caused by one of my Device Drivers. Does ANYBODY have ANY idea how to fix this??? I've put too much money into this system to scrap it now. Besides, I can't believe that it is so freakin hard to figure out WHAT is causing the problem.

Please help before I end up putting my fist through the screen and have to buy a new monitor on top of everything else.</font>

Cerek the Calmth? :D

Sorry I can't help much, except to say that I know hwo you feel... my old computer used to do that as well...

I eventually got a new one without figuring out what the problem was...

You really have a problem with your computer don't you? Can't you go to the shop where you bought it and demand a new computer for the money you payed?

Tell us your system specs Cerek. I would ignore the device driver message for now. It may be a lack of memory or a bad memory mod. It may also be a bad mother board. These things are very sensitive and it seems like most computer service centres don't know much, or anything about about ESD (ELectro static discharge. I see them all time, working on pc's without being properly grounded. If you have Norton system works or something like that, which will scan your system, it may help. You may even find something for new to try. Depending on how long you've had the PC, many parts may still be covered. My Hard Drive (Maxtor) was 3.5 years old when I got an error message. I sent it back and got a brand new one. The warranties are only a year now though.I have aida32, which gives all the specs for my system and it's a free download. Maybe it can find something for you.

Sounds like the exact same thing that happened to me not too long ago. All in all it took three months, three visits from so called repairmen, and two trips to the repairshop, because the repairmen brought broken components. :rolleyes:

But to make a long story short, my PC kept rebooting randomly, i got the same messages that Windows recovered from a fatal error, and in the end it turned out to be a broken mainboard. Once they found that out and replaced it with a new one, things are going smooth again overhere.

I was getting the same error messages. The fan on my video card had stopped working and the card was overheating. It was too hot to touch with my hand.

Same story here, same problems, and same solution: I had to replace the motherboard, and it has never happened since.

So it seems that Cerek's soultion is to replace the motherboard.

Rather like the mechanic saying you need to tear out the entire engine block & put in a new one :D

Yeah, it works, but it's sort of a last resort...

time for an upgrade i guess.. unless you just had it upgraded then it should be under warranty

I've had the same problem as you describe now, Cerek. My computer would crash randomly as well, sometimes while in games, sometimes while doing nothing. Then it started asking me / whining for more virtual memory (to the extent that I thought it was ridiculous) so I gave I pushed up the MB's in the Virtual Memory and now it won't start up anymore :D I just need a new computer but without any money that's a task unaccomplishable I fear.

Don't immediately jump to the conclusion that it's a bad motherboard. It's probably a component, but which one is up for grabs.

I've had this kind of problem with a bad power supply. Replacing the power supply ultimately took care of it without much difficulty (and fortunately, they're not too expensive). Other things could be a bad CPU fan, bad vid card fan, bad memory, bad mobo... basically, any component.

What I'd do is take it back to the computer shop you were just at, explain what happened, and ask them to turn it on and run it for an hour *with the covers on*. That's important, because when they're working with it, they likely have the case open, and heat dissipates quite nicely. Once they see the problem in action, they should then be able to diagnose and repair.

And in the meantime, see if you can find a machine to go gaming on. Times like this, it's good to kill something... :D

Of course... the classic thing about computer problems is they don't happen on demand... namely when you want the technicians to see the problem ;)

<font color=plum>I just had the entire system upgraded this summer. My problems started back in May, when my BGII game kept "freezing". I had just about maxed out my 40gb harddrive, so I decided to upgrade to a 120gb.

From there, I ended up replacing the DVD drive, motherboard, harddrive and modem. The ONLY components that have not been replaced are the original CDWR drive and video card.

I'm really hacked off at the first repair center because they tried to say it was all MY fault. It took them over 3 weeks to get my PC back to me and then - instead of "freezing", it would randomly reboot. When I took it back to them, they tried to say that I had "f***** it up" by changing the system specs, but I told them I didn't change ANY of the Advanced Settings on the machine (I don't know enough about PC's to do that). I had changed the screen resolution and a few minor settings, but nothing serious enough to cause this.

Even so, they tried to charge me again for the second clean and re-install and I told the guy I wasn't go to pay to fix a problem I felt they caused...especially after his rude-ass tech actually admitted that maybe he screwed it up when he kept messing up my re-install (my version of XP is apparantly an Upgrade version from 98 rather than a fresh install - even though I bought it new off the shelf).

Well, I appreciate the advice. My motherboard doesn't even have a back on it because it came without it and I didn't feel like waiting another week to get one with a back. They also agreed to knock $40 off the price of the motherboard because of the missing backplate.


GRRRRRRR!!! What really hacks me off is that I gave these yuckapucks a BUNCH of business from the hospital where I work. We've bought two complete systems from them and probably 3-4 monitors - in addition to calling them for miscellaneous repairs over the last few years. Then they SCREW me on MY repair.

BAD BUSINESS, BROTHER!!! The only endorsement they'll get from me from now on is the advice for people to keep on driving right by their store and go to the next place down the line.

And, yeah, this HAS made me lose my normally "Calmth" demeanor. LOL</font>

Well, I've had it be a fan, motherboard AND software problems before so I'd say it's not so easy to pinpoint without testing each possibility.

I sure hope you can find a reliable repair person, Cerek!

"Well, I appreciate the advice. My motherboard doesn't even have a back on it because it came without it and I didn't feel like waiting another week to get one with a back. They also agreed to knock $40 off the price of the motherboard because of the missing backplate."

What do you mean by a backplate? Sounds like they sold you a bad motherboard...

<font color=skyblue>Can they prove that they actually did a fresh install? Maybe they cut corners, knowing you would never be able to know.


Threaten them with a BBB report.
Then they'll straighten up.</font>

Larry it sounds to me like these meat heads wouldn't know what a BBB report is.

It does sound like a hardware problem though and therefore not something that a clean install would fix. Sometimes you just get components that sit uneasily with each other; I guess it's the slight risk you take when not buying a complete system from somebody like Dell as all components would have been tested together extensively.

It's only ever happened with one of my computers - all the components worked fine in different machines, but put them all together and it just causes problems every now and then, with the trademark "windows has been shut down to protect your computer" and then the message "windows has recovered from a serious error" upon startup. It always seemed to blame the problem on my display drivers, yet they were completely up to date and the card worked without a hitch in a different computer.

Assuming it's not this however, your random reboots are likely caused by either

1) inadequate power supply (you mentioned you've spent money on upgrades recently, did you upgrade the PSU as well?)
2) overheating - does your motherboard allow you to view system temps?
3) dodgy memory (less likely but still worth a check)

when they changed the mobo did they also cahnge thememory? 80% of the issues I have seen is due to memory. I kept having an issue with it on my home pc, worked fine in desktop, doing note pad etc.. but as soon as I loaded photo shop or a game no more then 10 min into it, reboot. Do you happen to know what the name of the mobo is? are you working with Intel or AMD? Hyper Threading or standard. The reason I ask this is because it will be easier to tell if you have the wrong memory on board by going with the manufactuers specs. Like DDR 2700 wont work on a comp that requires pc133 memory unless it has it slotted for it. Yes it can also be the power supply and mobo, but you can buy a cheap stick of memory to test that theory out. I would go back and raise Kain at the original shop, take in all reciepts and all documents and explain to them thouroughly like you would to a 4 year old what the problem is and what all has been done. I have fixed more problems that "professionals" have done then I care to say due to there "superior" intellect. The problem with major upgrades all at once is it is hard to tell which upgrade it is that is doing it. Good Luck C, pm me if you have any issues, I will do wha tI can to help ya.

In spite of (and perhaps because of) the additional history you've just passed along, I'd still take it back to repair shop #2 and have them run it for a while *just like you would* -- cover on, everything buttoned up. As quickly as it apparently is happening for you, they should see it just as quickly. Then have them fix what's broken.

If it doesn't happen for them (mechanic's syndrome), then I'd ask them to swap different pieces to see what might be the culprit. And I'd start with the power supply... I've replaced several in my machines, and while they last a long time, they aren't forever.

In spite of (and perhaps because of) the additional history you've just passed along, I'd still take it back to repair shop #2 and have them run it for a while *just like you would* -- cover on, everything buttoned up. As quickly as it apparently is happening for you, they should see it just as quickly. Then have them fix what's broken.

If it doesn't happen for them (mechanic's syndrome), then I'd ask them to swap different pieces to see what might be the culprit. And I'd start with the power supply... I've replaced several in my machines, and while they last a long time, they aren't forever.

And while I think of it, have you checked the Windows logs (the event viewer) for any messages? That might clue you in to exactly what's misbehaving. 'Course, whoever you're taking it to should have done that, but it never hurts to be sure.

umm.. whats a BBB report? just curious.

better busness bereau

Have you changed the RAM lately and how much do you have? I strongly believe that nobody knows dick about these things anymore.

<font color=plum>I called Shop#2 back today and told them what was happening. They asked if the PC was well ventilated because it could be overheating. I have the PC under my little Wal-Mart Special Computer Station. It is not inside a little compartment built of the tower, it sits under the keyboard shelf. The tech suggested pulling the PC out from the wall a little further (I had it about 4-6 inches away from the wall) and see if that helped.

Tonight, the machine rebooted THREE TIMES when I tried to get onto the internet for the first time [img]graemlins/madhell.gif[/img] - but it has since "calmed down" and seems to be working fine (for now).

<font color=dodgerblue>VulcanRider</font> - What I mean by a missing backplate is exactly what it sounds like. There is no backplate to fit "flush" against the back of the machine that closes off the "gaps" around the different plugs on the motherboard. I can look straight into the back of my machine around the plugs for my monitor, keyboard, printer, etc. Yeah, I know it is a POS thing to do, but by the time this happened they had had my PC for several weeks and I wasn't interested in waiting another week for them to order a NEW mobo in to replace this one....especially after they agreed to sell it at almost half-price. I realize I will eventually have to replace the mobo, but that's where the actions of Shop#2 will help.

NOW I can go BACK to Shop#1 and say "Alright, I had another shop do a fresh install, and my machine is STILL acting up...so it MUST be the fault of one of the components YOU installed...and my first guess would be that POS motherboard you put in. I want a warranty replacement for the mobo or I'm going to the BBB."

The tech at Shop#2 DID offer to let me bring the machine back so they could just set it up and let it run to see if they could reproduce the problem...but they charge a $25.00 fee just to look at it - even if they don't do anything. However, I do know them personally and have a history with them, so they might waive that fee since they just "fixed" the machine last week.

The power supply IS a possible culprit because it was NOT upgraded with the rest of the machine. I bought this PC online from a discount dealer and it worked perfectly for 2 years (so I guess I shouldn't complain too much), but I'll never make that same mistake again. Next time, I'm getting a Dell. Not only are they FAR more reliable, but Dell actually offers an extra discount to workers in the Healthcare Industry (schweeeeet). I haven't checked it out to see just HOW good a deal I can get, but if my problems persist, the "Dude, it'll be time to get a Dell."

OH...one other note. I DO have a back-up PC that has worked fine and has most of the my games on it (including a FULL INSTALL of BGII). Ironically, THAT machine came from Shop#1. I convinced the shop owner to donate PC system for a fundraiser we were having and sold raffle tickets. Very few people bought any tickets, so I ended up buying most of them myself. Out of a total of 200 tickets sold, I bought 50 of them ($1.00 apiece). So I got a new PC for only 50 bucks. My boys use it most of the time. Tonight, I went into the room to turn that machine off, and I'll be damned if it didn't have the SAME FREAKIN MESSAGE on the screen <font color=white>(This system has recovered from a serious error!)</font>. SONNUVA.... That convinced me beyond any shadow of doubt about the "quality" of parts and PC's that Shop#1 deals in.

I've talked to my wife about the situation and I've just about decided to simply sign up for computer courses at the local community college and learn how to fix this crap myself. PLUS - I've always wanted to do web page designs. While my programming skills are pathetic (and that's being generous), I've always had a knack for creating neat graphics - even WAAAAAY back when I was first learning to program using B.A.S.I.C. Even with THAT limited language (and my even more limited programming skills) I could create some neat looking screens.

Now would be a good time to kill two birds with one stone.</font>

"It is practically impossible to teach good programming style to students that have had prior exposure to BASIC: as potential programmers they are mentally mutilated beyond hope of regeneration."

-Edsger W. Dijkstra, Selected Writings on Computing: A Personal Perspective

Heh! Nice quote ;) !

<font color=plum>LOL!!! Well I was "beyond hope" before I even started BASIC, so what little exposure I had didn't do any damage that wasn't already done. [img]graemlins/biglaugh.gif[/img] </font>

Just for fun, the next time you're at either of these places, ask them if they know what ESD is. If they don't, run like hell! If they do, ask them what steps they take to prevent this from happening to your, or anybody elses PC. They should be wearing a grounded wrist strap, or have a specially grounded floor with special footwear. A lab coat would really help, specially if they're wearing non-natural fiber, like polyester. I used to work for Digital and believe me, it does make a big difference. Most componants on the MB can fry at about 50volts. You discharge 1000's of volts all the time!

..and I'm still leaning toward the MB, even though both PC's are doing it. Or get rid of BG??

[ 11-02-2004, 07:08 AM: Message edited by: Variol (Farseer) Elmwood ]

If you want to really prove (or disprove) the overheating theory, take the cover off and put the machine where you normally do. If there's no problem, overheating sounds like the culprit. You might be able to put in an additional fan (depending on the case style). That would help reduce the problem as well.

Upgrading the power supply can't hurt, either. I'd put at least a 400 watt power supply in there, too. The requirements may only be for 300 or 350, but a little extra capacity may be useful later... [img]smile.gif[/img]