KenB

Hi and welcome to ExTS Start > type in ........cmd (do not hit ENTER ) Now CTRL + SHIFT + ENTER (you are now using an elevated command prompt) At the prompt type in netsh winsock reset catalog Hit ENTER Then type in netsh int ip reset reset.log Hit ENTER Let us know how you get on.

Hi and welcome to ExTS A few questions come to mind. If you don't mind me asking - which people? Computer techs / other forum ?? ======================= Has this machine ever connected to the internet? ======================= Are you connecting via a router? ======================= Are you connecting wirelessly or by wired ( ethernet ) cable to a router ? ======================= Most laptops have a wireless adapter. Do you see a monitor icon in the bottom right of your screen ? ======================= There may be a switch to enable/disable wireless. ( sometimes on the front or side of the machine sometimes at the back of the keyboard. Is there and is it on? ======================= Start > in the Run Box type ......devmgmt.msc.......ENTER Click the + next to Network Adapters Please let us know what is listed. Also - are there any yellow exclamation marks or red Xs ? ===================== What is the make and model number of your laptop ? ===================== Please ensure that you answer all of the above in your next post. Just for information: Laptops tend to have the network adapters inbuilt onto the motherboard. They are rarely a card. You can get USB wireless network adapters

Good to hear that you have fixed the sound ( if you will pardon the pun :) ) Thanks for letting us know.

Did you try this? ====================== I assume you have tried an ethernet cable direct to the router? ====================== If the above fails try switching on and constantly tap F8 about once per second. From the startup options select "Safe Mode with Networking" See if this allows you internet access. ======================

Hi Carole and welcome to ExTS There should be a speaker icon bottom right of screen. Right click on this > is "Mute" checked ? if so - uncheck it. ====================== Start > Run .....type in .....devmgmt.msc .....ENTER Click on the + next to "Sound Video Game.." Are there any yellow exclamation marks / red Xs ?

It would help if you could list what is listed against Network Adapters and Which ones have yellow exclamation marks? ================= Not sure if this works for XP - but to confirm which model Vaio you have try this... Start > Right Click on My Computer > Properties In Vista it lists the computer model here. If it is the same in XP let us know what it says. ==================== It looks as if we need to locate the ethernet / wireless drivers for your system. ==================== Try going back to Device Manager > Right click on Ethernet Controller > uninstall. ( if this has a yellow exclamation mark against it ) Shut down normally. Re-boot. Windows will find new hardware and should attempt to re-install the drivers.

This is not "Repair your computer" it is an option to start the computer with the most recent settings that worked. Safe Mode ?? You system should have attempted to boot with minimal drivers. Confirm that you have tried Last Known Good Configuration and Safe Mode as suggested from the Advanced Startup Options

I was hoping that would have solved it. Go back to Services: Make sure all of the following are started: ( If not - set them all to automatic ) Computer Browser DHCP Client DNS Client Network Location Awareness Server TCP/IP Netbios helper Wired Autoconfig WLAN Autoconfig Workstation

Hi Start ....type in ....Services..... ( It may be Services.msc - I don't use Win7 )......ENTER Scroll down the Services and see if you have : id_String2.6844F930_1628_4223_B5CC_5BB94B87 9762 or Bonjour DNS Responder Service If you do - double click on the service and disable it in "Startup Type". You will probably have to re-boot to see the effects.

I don't suppost the wireless button is switched off is it? It should be at the top of the keyboard near to the screen - satelite icon.

Hi and welcome to ExTS Try the monitor on a different machine. If you get the same result the problem lies with the monitor.

" I have already explained what to do when you get here. Select "Last Known Good Configuration" If this fails Select "Safe Mode" See if you can boot up with either of these options. ??? If you are refering to my previous post - this is irrelevant now as you can access the Advanced Startup Options.

If the restore points don't exist we cannot select them. Download MBAM > Install > Update and run it. http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_pro Click on "Products" and d/l the free version. If it finds anything post the log here.

Sorry - Senior Moment !! Start > Run ...type in ....devmgmt.msc ....Enter Click the + next to Network Adapters What is listed Any yellow exclamation marks / red Xs ?

Hi and welcome to ExTS I like your choice of forum name :) Make sure that these guys are reliable and trustworthy. Have they been in business for long? Have they been recommended to you? ==================== Are they building this for you or are they selling you a mass-produced HP / Dell / Acer machine from stock ? ==================== Is this their own warranty ? If so - do you get a written copy and is it parts and labour ? =================== Laptop or Desktop ? I am assuming a desktop due to Video Card quoted. =================== Presumably you will want to connect to the internet. If it is a laptop - does it come with an internal wireless adapter ? If a desktop you could have an internal wireless adapter or provision for an ethernet cable. Does it ? ==================== If it is a laptop - does it come with a web-cam fitted ?(not an external one that you can add ) ==================== Is Win7 an OEM installation ? ( no support from Microsoft ) If it is (and it probably will be for that price) then do they supply the OEM disk with it? ==================== The specs that you have given above will be fine for what you want to do. For comparrison only take a look here: http://www.dinopc.com/shop/pc/pcs-gaming.asp?idcategory=94&gclid=CI6wy4K3-akCFUFC4QodOGvaXw There is not much difference in the specs for the £395 one and yours.

Hi and welcome to ExTS If it stopped completely - how could you try to put a new copy of Windows on the HDD ? All things are fixable - it depends how much time / patience / possibly money you have. I can tell you that from the sounds of it - this will not be a quick fix. It will be a long thread. If you want to go ahead - I, and the other guys here, will stay with it - if you are up for it.

Hi and welcome to ExTS There is a review of your new card here: http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/graphics/2010/10/22/ati-radeon-hd-6850-review/1 If you are upgrading to this card you will probably need a PSU that is capable of supplying 500watts. Your new card is PCIe 2.1 If you post the make and model number of your motherboard we should be able to check the PCIe slot specification for you. It will be at least PCIe 2.0 and your new card will be backwards compatible. Specs for your new card are here: http://www.amd.com/us/products/desktop/graphics/amd-radeon-hd-6000/hd-6850/Pages/amd-radeon-hd-6850-overview.aspx#2 It has a dual slot form factor.

Hi and welcome to ExTS This sounds like one for Nev ( if you will pardon the pun :) ) However, try a System Restore to a date just before your problem started. You should be able to simply type "System Restore" in the search box after clicking on Start. Your data / photos etc will be fine. With a bit of luck Nev should chip in if this doesn't work for you.

I have to ask again - are there any LEDs lit or hard drive / fans rotating ? If you are going to get to the Advanced Startup Options you will need to tap F8 once per second for a while or until the machine freezes or displays an error message. I don't understand. Are you saying that if you use the recovery CD that you can get to the Advanced Startup Options where you can select "Last Known Good Configuration" "Safe Mode" If so - try them in this order.

Hi, Was this showing in Device Manager originally ? You never said if you could connect using a cable direct to the router - can you ? Try disabling the Firewall and see if you can connect now ( wirelessly )

Where they checked anyway - or did you have to check them? The "DNS Suffix Search List" is not showing in your IPconfig results. Go back to "Obtain IP Address Automatically" and click on Advanced > DNS tab Under DNS Suffix for this connection: Is "register this connections addresses in DNS" checked ?

Hi and welcome to ExTS Take the battery out and try with just the mains adapter connected. Try with the battery only - ( no mains adapter ). Take the RAM modules out. They are located underneath a panel in the base of the machine. Put just one in. Try booting. Swap the module over if necessary and try with the other one. Will it allow you to get to Advanced Boot Options? Constantly tap F8 about once per second. Try Last Known Good Configuration / Safe Mode.

Hi and welcome to ExTS Safe Mode is sometime awkward to get into. Constantly tap F8 about once per second after switching on - see if this helps. You could try taking the RAM modules out and put just one at a time in. Sometimes a problem with one of the modules can cause this problem. Try booting with just the one module in. If the problem persists - swap the modules over. They will be located underneath a panel in the base of your machine.

Hi again, Make sure that you have all Windows updates. XP should be SP3. Start > Run ....type in .....winver.....ENTER This will tell you. Sony has the option of auto updates. Start > All Programs > VAIO Update > click VAIO Update Options. In the VAIO Update Options window, check the "Automatically check for updates" Click OK.

Hi pho6 and welcome to ExTS It would be better if you start your own thread - at least any answers you do get will be directed towards your specific problem :)