Match

Hi Neferati Sounds like it may be RAM, but apart from your installed 3Gig you may also have a Graphics card which may well also have some RAM of it's own. SO.. I would if you have a graphics card remove it blow out its slot with some compressed air, or Just give it a good blow if your a pauper like me, and then reseat it then do the same with the RAM Sticks. Then if you would so Kind as to tell us if this has had an effect or not, if not some computer specs would be useful, or make and model :)

OK lets back up a little more you press the power on button any lights or fans start up?

here is a step by step how to Sony VAIO Recovery

On most pre built PC's nowadays you will find they have a recovery partition, this will contain an Image of the C drive, with Windows installed on it, and a number of tools to repair the windows installation. if you use this partition as described in the second of the links in my previous post you will reset the C Drive to the same state it was in when it left the factory, Their should be no need to Format or enter any Keys That's because their never was, the first thing you should do with a new PC is read the manual on how to create a recovery CD/DVD and follow the instructions. In your first post you said If you did not use the recovery Disks or Console the product Key on the back of the machine won't work as its to a different copy of windows, also with pre built machines especially Laptops and netbooks they have drivers that are specific to the machine, and if you use a copy of windows that wasn't supplied with the machine you will have the problems you are describing. what I suggest is when you boot the machine keep pressing the f10 key hopefully if you haven't damaged the recovery partition this will take you to the recovery partition where you should be able to follow the instructions I posted in the second link.

So the problem Occurs at the Vista welcome screen have you tried booting into safe mode? also just a check I think I know the answer but at the end of the POST screens do you get a single "Beep" or a series of long and short "Beeps" (Answer is a single "Beep" as if there was a problem the PC would shut down or stop Booting here)

are you using the recovery centre? How to use VAIO Recovery Center : Useful Information : Sony Asia Pacific specifically the restore C drive option How to use VAIO Recovery Center : Useful Information : Sony Asia Pacific

Just an update to my last post, without the serial or Model No this is as far as I can go through the support pages. Vaio : Sony Europe

OK have you checked you have the right drivers from the sony site SONY Support Country Selection Page hopefully when you read this it will be back up as I just got the page unavailable due to maintenance page, what are you trying to run them in this might not be a driver problem but a codec issue, especially if you are getting sound without the picture.

Hi Samiem Have you tried going into the Device Manager and deleting, not updating or removing the old driver?

Sounds to me like an overheating GPU, how old is the PC, when was the last time the dust was blown out the inside, and is it positioned to allow a clean flow of cool air to all the vents?

Well, 7 I would say as for W/H/D that depends on Make but........ I always Build round the Motherboard, what's the point in worrying over drive bays if the motherboard can only support 3 or 4 Drives? Other things to consider the smaller the system the more problems you get with Heat dissipation, so unless there is a very good reason, I avoid Micro, and Mini ATX systems, as this affects what PSU, and GPU you can Use, and As I have said to many if available space and size of PC is such a problem go buy a Laptop. also I have found that in some cases they may have 7 available drive bays but after fitting RAM, and GPU you can still only use 3 or 4 of the Available Bays.

Hi SCD what does the device manager say about your GPU?

Hi remo does your PC POST with a single (Bleep) If not what's it giving? (as in Bleeps)

Are you talking about a repair installation of XP? http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx

Hi Bob, got the new PC then :) here is a link to what DSTM is talking about kvm switch at cheap prices | PC World probably the best answer other than having two Keyboards,Monitors and mice

Hi Tunicajones First off can I ask what you are using to monitor what the CPU clock speed is? Second on many laptops now days for power saving the CPU clock speed will drop to around 800Mhz when its not needed, IE, just after you start up and open the control panel systems menu, normally when a motherboard has this system their is no option to alter the CPU frequency in Bios. and Finally, Make its a Dell, no prize for me on that, but what model Dell is it please so I can go look see what the machine's specs and features are so I can confirm the above for you :)

assuming that the POST is OK, I would reset the CMOS First, however if there is a problem with the POST can you tell us the error codes please? and if the above sentence leaves you with any questions feel free to ask

this one :) Speedtest.net - The Global Broadband Speed Test

I think he is a little mixed up on the terms of the licence and may find this page interesting ;) Autodesk - Licensing, Registration & Activation - Autodesk Product Activation FAQ especially 7 and 8

I would say take a look at the MSi Range, (Micro-Star international) :D

I'll cut the reading down for you ;) Your next question will probablt be how do I get the disk space back or extend the remaining partition

I think the problem here is that we could play for months and still not resolve the problem !!! My best suggested course of action would be to Back up, and do a clean install of the OS, from a full format of the HDD, then re install the program and hope that things are better. Problem being this could be a registry problem, a Bad sector on the HDD, or a failing HDD, but doubt the last as I think I read somewhere before it's just this one application that is having problems.

Hi amajothi Yes there is but..... We have no way to confirm that you are the rightful owner, and so unfortunately we have no way to prove or disprove whether or not we are helping or assisting you to be doing something your not supposed to or even worse assisting you in a criminal activity. Their for due to the legal ramifications and liable aspects, I or any other member of this forum are unable to help you, other than to advise taking your PC to a reputable repair shop where you can show proof of ownership.

Hi Hello and stop kicking yourself :) Can you tell us what you have in device manager, please ;)

well If I'm not here I will be playing empire total war on steam, :)