KenB

I noted that darkshadow says in his first post.. If it is a recovery disk and not a full installation disk then there may well be problems trying to install in a different environment.

Hi and welcome to FPCH. After tapping f8 - have you tried "Last Known Good Configuration" ? Please confirm that you have tried System Restore to a date prior to the start of your problem..

It could be worthwhile having Windows reinstall the drivers. Go back to device manager > right click on the DVD /CD drive and select uninstall. Windows will detect new hardware on rebooting and reinstall the drivers. You may also want to check that DMA mode is enabled. Click the + next to IDE ATA/ATAPI Right click the Primary IDE Channel(s) > Advanced Check that "DMA if Available" is checked and not PIO. Do the same for Secondary.

Happy Birthday Randy http://bitsnbytesoflife.files.wordpress.com/2009/05/happy-birthday-cake.jpg

Do you get the Windows Chimes from your speakers? Do you get any POST beeps after switching on? One is normal - other combinations indicate a problem. If you get more than one post the sequence here.

No sound after a reinstall is probably due to drivers missing. What is the make and exact model number of your computer? Alternatively - the make and model number of the sound card should allow me to locate the drivers.

Hi Kathi, You have asked this here It is probably a case of re-installing the soundcard drivers - but I think you need to solve the problem of the keyboard and mouse first before you start addressing the problems that may be related. Suggest that you continue with the original thread and ask one of the mods to close this one. That way all of the relevant information is together in one tthread :)

This doesn't sound good. A clicking hard drive is usually a failing or failed hard drive. It is difficult to describe "clicking" but hard drives usually "whirr" not click. There are "clicking" sounds recorded here: Failing hard drive sounds - Datacent.com - Datacent Click on the arrow. Does yours sound like any of these?

Hi, Does this happen every time you use the computer? If it is a one-off or occasional problem it could be that your system is installing updates. This can take some considerable time. Have you updated to Service Pack 2 ? Start > Run ....type in .....winver ......ENTER This will tell you. If you have SP1 then I advise you to update. SP2 Download

?? How with no keyboard and mouse ?? Is it booting up ok with the keyboard and mouse connected ? If so - is the time and date showing correctly? If you are losing drivers too it could be a CMOS battery on its way out. It may be worthwhile changing this.

Hi Kathi, Disconnect the keyboard and mouse. Switch on and, assuming your system isn't passworded, let it boot up ( if it will ). If it does - plug in the keyboard and mouse. You may be lucky and Windows will recognise them.

Hi Kathi I am assuming that your keyboard is USB - if so do you have ( borrow ) a PS2 ( round plug ) keyboard to try? ( again - assuming that you have a PS2 socket :) )

Assuming that you have no other problems with your CD / DVD drive .... If the disk is able to be read on your wife's machine try making a copy and then try the copy in your machine.

Hi, As this is XP ....... If you have a full installation CD it is possible to put the drive into the new PC and then do a repair install of XP. This will enable you to keep the data on the drive intact and have Windows accept the new environment.

Hi, As already suggested it does sound as if the PSU is the problem. You are correct when you say that this is what they do sometimes. The 450W PSU would not burn out due to the addition of a second hard drive. The slow music can be explained by the PSU failing. The voltage to the DVD/CD drive could have dropped drastically ( due to failing PSU ) and, not having enough voltage to run the CD drive the unit runs at a much slower r/m - result .....slow music. The extra heat could also be linked to the failing PSU. There is a coil inside and if this fails it can generate the type of heat and burning smell you mention. Hopefully this will be as simple as replacing just the PSU. If you need to replace the motherboard too this comes with its own problems. Post back before you go down this route. Sometimes a failing PSU does take out a section of the motherboard and, as already suggested, you will only know this when you replace the PSU and test.

Hi Jakedude182, There is a way of finding out when a Word file was created, what time it was started, what time it was saved, how long it took to create, how many words, paragraphs etc etc I was reluctant to inform the poster as it sounds to me as if he wanted to check up on his workforce. ( a bit sneaky for my liking ). If you want to know how to get at the above information send me a PM and I will reply the same way. :)

Hi, If you need to create some space d/l TFC from here: TFC by Oldtimer It will run on XP / Vista / 7 Basically it clears out all temporary files / folder from all user accounts. Make sure that you save what you are working on and close all applications before using as TFC will shut them down without warning. Also run disk cleanup. Start > type in ......disk cleanup .....in the box.

It sounds, to me, as if you really want to check up on your workers. Ask them to use SHIFT + ALT + T at the start and finish of every letter. I know what my response would be :)

Hi, You say that you need to get access to your files etc. This is possible if you can open up the case. If you can access the case then it is a simple matter of taking the drive out and connecting it to an adapter ( relatively inexpensive ). This is an example of the adapter: USB 2.0 to SATA/IDE Adapter Kit with Power Adapter for: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo For a little more, if it is not possible to fix the pins, you can get an empty enclosure and put the drive in that.

Is this your drive ? http://www.pacificgeek.com/productimages/xl/ST305004FDA1E1-RK-R-3.jpg If so - if it is the lead shown that is damaged this looks like a standard lead and you should be able to replace it.

Hi, I suspect that you have a motherboard / video adapter problem. (as J-B says, on a laptop they are often integrated). If you move the screen backwards and forwards - does the pattern of lines change? If they do it could be a connection problem with the cable that runs from the motherboard through the hinge to the screen.

Take all cards /connections off the m/board leaving only the 24 way ATX connection from the PSU. Disconnect hard drive / dvd drive data cables from the m/board too and the power leads to the drives.. Unscrew the m/board and sit it on a piece of card / newspaper to insulate it from the case. Switch on. You should get POST beeps. If you don't then this indicates m/b or PSU. As you are sure the PSU is ok - this would leave only the m/board. If you do get POST - then the likelihood is that you had a short between the m/b and the case.

You are welcome :)

Hi and welcome to FPCH Start .....type ......devmgmt.msc .....in the run box and hit ENTER If you get an Admin box pop up continue. Click on the + next to DVD / CD Drives Right click on the device listed > click on "uninstall". (It could be that the drivers are corrupt). Shut down the computer normally. Switch on again. Windows should find "new hardware" and install the drivers again for your drive.

Hi Dave, Either I or somebody else here will take a look at what you have done if you post the explanation. If your system is working with no problems you can't have got too much wrong :)