Plastic Nev

OK, let us know how you get on and whether you opt for a replacement MB, or a completely new computer. If a new machine, keep the hard drive and obtain an enclosure for it, that way you will be able to transfer data to your new machine, then format it to make it an external hard drive for extra storage. Nev.

Thanks for the clarification Shrimply, I didn't go that way when I tried Ubuntu, as I installed to a blank reformatted hard drive fitted to my laptop, so had no need for dual booting.

Hi, yes I mean check that all cables and wires that should be connected to the motherboard actually are connected, a long shot I know, but could be a possibility that the front speaker or headphone socket cable may be not correctly connected, this could actually isolate the other speaker port if not connected correctly. (Based on connecting headphones turns off speakers) If all drivers are correct and not showing as faulty in device manager, I am thinking it is a hardware fault such as the wiring. Nev.

I think we can say that the question of removing IE7 is a definite no now as it looks like that was the original installed version, if IE6 was the original, it would allow you to remove 7 and revert to 6, however it won't. So, considering you have that XP pro disk, why not save to external source such as disks or external hard drive all your data, then reformat the drive and install that version of XP Pro. It is the way I would go rather than trying to resolve that duff update issue. Even entering the registry and fooling around in there just might make things worse and is not a risk I would take. Nev.

Hi, I agree with KenB, it is most likely the mother board, even if it could be narrowed down to the BIOS chip, it is integral to the motherboard so the only answer is a new board. If you can obtain a new board of the same type, even from the manufacturers, though Amazon or other on line dealers may have one, it is worth trying and will be cheaper than a new computer. If you can obtain a board, take notes, drawings, and if possible pictures of the set up as it is now, to help in reconnecting all the different cables once the new board is in. Nev.

Shame about that, however first thing which you may already have done anyway, is to check all sound options that there are no ticks in any mute boxes and all volume sliders are set to the top. Also, check all wiring to speaker ports in case you disturbed them while changing the hard drives. Next is to look in device manager and click the expansion arrow to the left of "Sound, Video and game controllers." Are there any red or yellow marks? If no warning marks, double click on the expanded section, click drivers tab. The "Disable" box, should say that, not "Enable", if it does say Enable click on it to enable it. If everything seems OK, the next thing is to try the advanced uninstall of the drivers and reboot, Hopefully Windows will then find and install drivers again that work. Let us know how you get on. ( I will be back tomorrow) Nev.

Hi and welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help. So far you are going in the right direction having ordered an enclosure, also you recognise that the drive may be damaged. Once you have the new computer plus the enclosure, and the old drive fitted in the enclosure, connect it to the new computer which providing the drive hasn't died altogether, it will be recognised as a storage device. All the data on it should be seen if not corrupted by the damage and should be no more difficult to copy to the new computer by drag and drop as if copying data from a flash or pen drive. I wouldn't try any sort of disk clone or imaging as it may stress the old and possibly damaged drive too much. Just rely on copying data over to the new computer in as few moves as possible to avoid forcing the old drive to do too much work. Please note, any programs installed on the old drive cannot be copied over, they will have to be installed separately on the new computer, however any downloaded program files kept in the original downloads folder, if you have them, can be copied over as a complete file for later installation. Nev.

Hi, a lot depends on the age of the computer as to whether IE7 can be removed which would normally revert back to IE6, but that is a very early version. If your computer came pre loaded with IE7 along with the Windows XP, then no earlier version will be present, hence why it cannot be removed. At this stage I am thinking of a full XP System Repair, however to do one does need a full normal retail version of XP SP3 installation disk, not a manufacturers restore disk. If you have a disk or can borrow one we can explain how to perform that repair. If done correctly no data will be lost but is still a good idea to back it up just in case. A XP system repair basically re-installs the entire windows XP operating system, overwriting all previous updates as well, so beware all XP updates will need to be downloaded and installed again. (Usually automatic if updates are set to automatic) I will add it is best to obtain or borrow an up to date disk that is complete with service pack 3 (SP3) on it. Nev.

Indeed I agree with Randy, I hadn't thought to ask about the drive, forget trying DVD blanks of any sort unless you intend upgrading the drive to a DVD write drive, which may not be worth it for that machine, up to you of course. The disks for the later to be done system image only need to be CD R so no problem there. A pack of ten blank CD R disks are cheap enough and should only cost a couple of £. A pack of 25 disks I found for £4 from Amazon. Nev.

Hi, I assume the sound worked OK while the drive with XP on was in, to double check try that drive back in again and see if sound works then. Please let us know. It may be a Vista compatibility problem with AC97 but will check on that and get back to you. Nev.

I have tried Ubuntu, it isn't cumbersome and if installing to a new or blank hard drive is fine to do so. Remember though that installing to a hard drive that already has say Windows XP, Vista, or Windows 7 already installed, it will wipe those systems while installing Ubuntu. You can install Ubuntu alongside a Windows system, but I am not too sure about how that is done as I haven't tried that, so will leave it for someone who knows more to add further advice if it is needed. However, you can download Ubuntu to a bootable disk and run it from the disk to get a feel for it and how it works, though being run from a disk it will be slower than if fully installed. Nev.

Hi Ray, I am afraid this a yes, you may need 7 blank disks, however the system may be saying that as it may just be looking for CD disks, which can only store a maximum of 700MB. I hope it can recognise and use DVD disks as they hold a whopping 4.7GB. Ordinary DVD -R or +R are not too expensive though so I would obtain some more before going further, just in case it is meaning 7 DVD disks. To be sure you have all you need, obtain some more DVD disks, plus a stock of ordinary CD disks just in case. If they aren't used now, they can be kept for future use for when you need to share photo's or music with friends or family. Besides which you will need a disk for the creation of a boot disk as part of the system image creation, that is necesary should the system image be needed to be used. As far as the full system image is concerned, we will go down that road once we are sure the recovery disks are happily created. saves confusion if we stick to one thing at a time. Nev.

The one thing I don't get is the fact that a touch screen in a vertical mode is ergonomically wrong, they should ideally be near flat and sloping up away from you and placed at a hight where arms and hands can be stretched over it to work with it, all touch screen till interfaces are at that angle and operators find them a whiz to work with. Set up like that, it is not too far down so therefore giving neck pain from looking down all the time, nor is it too high to be a problem for arms and hands, or too close for eye sight problems.

Glad that got you back to running again, system restore is always a good way to get back things when a problem like this occurs, when no one can be sure what caused it. As for the flash drive, treat it with caution, but if you plug it in, then go to Computer, does it show in there? If so right click on the drive and then choose properties, in the window that opens, if on the general tab, it should tell you how much is used space and how much free. Let us know what it says there. Also if you click the "Tools" tab, there is a check for errors, click that and see what is reported please. Nev.

Just popped in to say I am watching this thread so once Ken has gone I will be available. But must warn that I am normally only on line after 9-00PM most evenings. I will back up Ken with trying a swap of the power supply as the next move. Though the mother board may look OK, if the power supply doesn't cure it then the mother board has to be next, and would even hazard a guess at the BIOS chip if it is the MB. Nev.

Hi, if possible it would be best if you can obtain the exact same make and type, which from your initial post I found to be a Micro Star ms-7187. This is a Micro ATX type board. You may be able to find an exact replacement for sale on E Bay. If not as it may be out of date, a similar board will have to found, Synapse may be best to help with that if you cannot find the correct board, please let us know. I did find a full manual for the ms-7187 motherboard which will be of help when fitting a new one, have a look at the PDF here= http://www.pcmadd.com/MS-7187_pcmadd.pdf Nev.

Just to add to Kens advice, when you open the Add/Remove window, at the top there is a box for "Show Updates", you will need to put a tick in that box, you should then see that corrupted file in the list. Nev.

Regarding the DVD disks you have, yes one, or it may need two, of those will be ideal for the job, for an important disk like that you don't want it to be a re-writeable one, as it may inadvertantly get wiped by something else. Nev.

Hum, I have lots of thoughts regarding Windows 8, but as yet not been in a position where I can try it out along with a touch screen, as it does appear on the surface at least, to be a system geared or aimed at touch screen technology. My eventual aim is to build a system that is more to my needs than the present PB Imedia thing I presently own. So bearing that in mind, a touch screen is going to be a part of the new system, however considering how much I like W7, I am actually considering two different hard drives with W7 on one and W8 on the other. Depending then upon which I like the most, the other will become redundant and the drive arranged as either extension or backup to the system. However by the time the finances are in place to do so, things and therefore my plans, may have changed. Basically watch this space, as I ain't sure how it will go yet. To slightly digress a little, touch screens for PC or other home computers seem to be playing catch up as it is only in the last two years or a little more that they have been available, whereas the smart phone has had them a little longer. However various pub games and even retail tills have had touch screens for at least the last six to eight or more years. When I first saw touch screens on pub games, I thought then, why is it not available for the home computer yet? Nev.

Hi, if during transit, something got cracked, favourite here is motherboard or hard drive by the way, then intermittent faulting is as you are seeing. It could be a cracked circuit track on any component, or even slight damage to the hard drive drive spindle, or head drive system, unfortunately swapping components is the only likely way to find which one is the fault. One thing to try once it is up and running OK, is to apply a little gentle pressure to the middle of the motherboard, just enough to very slightly flex it, if it shuts down straight away, it is more than likely a faulty track or soldered joint on the motherboard. Nev.

Hi and welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help, Considering it was only yesterday that it all went wrong, I think that a system restore may be the best way to get you back to square one. Click start, then control panel, then System and Security. You will then see "Action Center" under that should be "Restore your computer to an earlier time, click that, and then the "Open System Restore" button. You will get a small window opens with a description of what system restore can do for you, just select "Next". You should see the last restore point the system created which will likely be a few days ago, in my case 25/07/2012, if similar or earlier, just click next and check all is correct then click finish. The computer will then perform a restore back to a time previous to when you tried that flash drive. As far as the flash drive itself, we can perhaps go further once you have restored the system, but I don't hold out much hope from what you describe you found with it. Nev.

Hi Ray, one thing I will mention is the option you mention " Recovery CD-DVD creator" This should have been done when you first got the computer, but never to late to do so now. It is straightforward to do, you just need a blank DVD and to put it in the drive when prompted. All the other recovery tools mentioned do to some extent depend on that disk having been created. It is the same as having the old manufacturers recovery disk that you used to get along with the computer, and returns the machine back to factory condition if used fully. Because that disk hasn't yet been created, is why you can't find an installation disk, as the disk you create by that recovery disk creator is the modern equivalent. Nev.

Hi and welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help. I know you said it has worked, and may even do so again, this doesn't rule out cable or connection problems though, as it could well be an intermittent connection in either one of the cable ends where it plugs in, have a good look at the pins and sockets on the cable, the laptop, and the TV, make sure there is nothing looks to be wrong, dirt or other obstructions in sockets etc, if possible try a different cable too. Let us know what you find if anything. Nev.

Hi and welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help. The problem you describe actually sounds like a connection fault around the CD/DVD drive interface with the motherboard, to check and examine or even test those connections will mean a strip down of the laptop. If all was well hardware wise, while Vista was installed, and maybe even the Linux based Backtrack 5, should have loaded its own drivers and made at least the new one work, but I suspect a connection problem preventing the OS from seeing new hardware. Incidentally, why Backtrack 5? It is a security and associated security software engineering OS, designed for security testing! Nev.

Considering the question is Mac related, (not my speciality at all) maybe it is best to repost there the original question, as it will then attract answers from those who do know something about them. Once that is done, this thread can be closed by any one of us on staff, but will be left as a pointer to that section. Nev.