KenB

Hi, I have asked a couple of our moderators to take a look at the options available to you. The conclusion is: 1. - borrow a disk that has SP1 on it and do a repair install. I suspect that this is unlikely - is it ? 2. - Remove SP1 and use your own disk ( the OEM one ) to do a repair install. Take a look here. click here We came to the conclusion that we were not prepared to trust the version that you had downloaded and you were better working from the disk used to install the OS in the first place.

The link you provide does imply that you can use the digital river d/l to do a repair. I find this odd as MS usually cover their backs and if a repair install is not possible with the OEM disk I can't see them leaving the door open to do so with a download. I originally thought that the digital river d/l was illegal - but it seems to be OK from what I can find. I will ask the other mods here for a second opinion. :)

It is late here in the UK - I will pick this up tomorrow :)

The whole unit. It is relatively simple to change. Make sure you disconnect the mains power first. There are usually 4 screws holding it in. You can unscrew these from the back of the machine. Don't let the masses of wires put you off. If you are unsure use a digital camera and take lots of photos. The wires are all power connectors. So Hard Drive / DVD Drive / motherboard / possibly video card ...........will all need to be disconnected. There is no need to disconnect the data cables from the hard drive / DVD drive - unless it makes it easier for you. There may be some un-used connections - this is normal. PSUs are supplied by Wattage. This is usually on a sticker on the PSU itself. You may see 350W or similar. A replacement would need to be at least this amount. You can replace a 350W PSU with a 500W no problem. ( 500W is more expensive ) If you can borrow one then the actual wattage will not be an immediate problem - the machine will boot up and hopefully shut down and re-boot. Do not replace a PSU with a wattage that is less than the original. DO NOT attempt to take a PSU apart - there are dangerous voltages inside. =========== I did suggest that this MAY be related to a PSU problem - this is why I suggested that you may have a spare or borrow one. They are not very expensive - but I never suggest that members buy hardware unless it is absolutely necessary :) =========== Before you take the PSU out try this: Download Speccy from here http://www.piriform.com/speccy Install and run it. It will give you details of your system - including temperatures. Use the machine for a while then take a note of the temperatures. Post these here please.

You didn't answer this :)

I am suggesting that it may be a Power Supply Unit problem. The way to test it is to swap it for a known good one. Where are you based ? I may be able to locate a cheap one.

Hi and welcome to ExTS This could be a PSU problem. Do you have a spare one ( borrow one ) to try it ? It does not need to be the same wattage.

Let's hope all goes well - keep us informed.

Hi, If you have a cheap PSU this may be the cause. Decent PSUs ( Switched Mode ) will suppress RF ( Radio Frequency ) - a cheap one may not. Wireless Phones can interfere with Routers - it may be possible that the router is interfering with the phone. Try switching it off and use the phone nearby.

You could try the sfc /scannow again - likelihood is that you will get the same result. Looks like a repair install.

Looks like motherboard. ( unless synapse has another option ? )

Hi and welcome to ExTS It may help if you can give us the actual prices you are paying for each item - it may be possible to suggest alternatives. Also you do not mention an OS. What are you using - presumably 64 bit ?

The PSU does not need to be the same wattage to test the basic system. It could be more or even less wattage. If your PSU has died then you would not want to replace it with a lesser wattage PSU. It is common for a PSU that needs replacing to spin fans etc but not have enough power to run the rest of the system.

That is good to hear. Good result from a team effort :)

Hi, Take the panel off the side and inspect for dust. At 4 years old this could be quite dusty. If it is - suggest you get a can of compressed air and using short bursts - blow the dust away. This may be best done outside. Pay particular attention to fans and vents and in particular the Central Processor fan. The random shutting down could be due to over-heating. =============== Re. your mouse problem: Start > type in .....devmgmt.msc ...........ENTER Click the + next to mice and other pointing devices Right click on the device > uninstall Reboot. Windows will locate new hardware and install the drivers again.

You will not get POST beeps then :) With everything off the board ( apart from the 20(4) connector from the PSU ) add the video card and connect the monitor. Boot up. Do you get anything on screen now? Is this an actual video card or do you have on-board video ( direct from the motherboard ) ? Can you try the monitor on another system to check if this is OK ?

Hi If updating the drivers / deleting updates / plus the other things you have tried hasn't fixed it for you ............and you can confirm that the device actually is working then it would seem that a repair install is the way to go. You could try sfc /scannow http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929833 It certainly won't do any harm. You may be asked for the installation disk.

Hi Ray Do NOT use Speedy PC Pro. Apart from anything else - it is pay-for software and I doubt it will solve this particular problem. It is a pity that you don't have the MS Office software - we could have tried a repair. I read this too. There seems to be a variety of causes for this annoying little problem !! If you have no use for Outlook then by all means remove it. see here With a bit of luck this will remove your problem too.

He has his uses now and again :) Nice one Randy.

Hi, I would be inclined to take the motherboard connections back to the basic power connector and go from there. see here for details: http://kenspchelp.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=172 If you need any help with any of it just yell :)

Thanks for the feedback. Sad when they go - but they don't last forever :)

Hi Ray I found another link that suggests there is a stage missing from what I posted before: click here something relating to advanced customization of applications see if this makes a difference Do you have MS Office on this machine and do you have the original installation disk ?

Hi and welcome to ExTS Do you get any beeps when you switch on ? ( assuming that you did get just one beep before ) If so - what sequence ? ( 1 long 2 short .....or other )

Yes please - I can compare that with the one from your last post. Do you use the "Remember me" option when you log on ?

Hi, You are not alone - one of our Moderators had been "Banned" too. Not sure why this has happened - I managed to sort him out. I will take a look at your profile and see if I can see anything untoward. You certainly have not been banned - and I have not received an email ?? EDIT: I have just checked - and you had no IP Address stored in your profile. This was the same problem as our moderator. I have pasted in your present IP Address and saved it. Is all OK now ?