New PC + Vista = problems?

[Quacker]

Hi

 

Not sure where to go with this but will ask and if it needs moving a moderator can do so. Recently we upgraded my fathers PC as it was slow and old-spec etc. The new machine came with Vista - not a problem I thought, but now am not so sure.

 

The PC had to be returned. The shop I purchased from said they would fix it free of charge so long as it wasn't a software problem - then they'd charge.

 

All I added was Firefox, Avast and Belkin wireless drivers. Re-loaded his photos and that was it. Long story short - the PC would not boot - even when I loaded the original Vista disk.

 

It was returned having had some partition problem. I have again got the wireless internet loaded but as yet nothing else because already I am experiencing problems.

 

Firstly the message Rundll32 has stopped working.

 

Secondly the machine can freeze at will and re-boot is hit and miss! - often the message;

 

Reboot and select proper boot device or insert boot media in selected boot device and press a key.

 

Although I'm no expert, I can set up PC from new adding software is hardly challenging - even for me!

 

Is this a windows Vista compatability problem? am I doing something wrong? The years warranty/guarantee seems pointless if they can quote that software is the problem.

 

Any help/comments appreciated. If it is a Vista thing, do you think I'd be better off asking for XP instead?

 

Cheers

 

Steve

[zinglebarb]

Right click my computer select properties and then Advanced system settings then startup and recovery. Untick auto restart apply and close

 

Right click my computer select manage then event viewer have a look around critical error and warning for any possible clues of these crashes. You say it loses the drive does this fix itself and the system works after a try or 2? this could be as simple as a bad cable or a failing hard drive

 

|MG| EVEREST Free Edition 2.20 Download download and install this click computer then sensor and monitor the temps

 

Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool download and burn this iso to disc with imgburn or nero and boot from it ( if you get a full screen logo at boot click the tab key and look for boot select menu hit the F key it points to and select cd rom) this will test the ram

Edited June 7, 2009 by zinglebarb

[Guest Wolfeymole]

So on a new PC we have firstly a booting issue and then a partition issue, why should you have to reinstall Steve.

 

If this is still under guarantee send it back mate.

[Quacker]

Thanks both.

 

I have to agree Wolfey. When the old man picked up his PC the first time (I should have went myself) there was little info.

 

The technician left a report stating "Problem due to software. Partition completely corrupt. Removed and reinstalled o/s. Activated and updated. No charge" - i wonder if that was the software included with the PC - it came with Nero 8, Power DVD and Vista It's a Mobo board and that had a couple of disks.

 

Now, is that meaning MY software was at fault? (it will be a day or two before I can get back to them).

 

I installed Firefox, Avast and the Belkin wireless driver. I cannot see the problem unless I am expected to use a PC with no added software (inc. internet) as to do this I need to add software.

 

The fact it is acting up again, and all I have done is added the driver concerns me. There is internet use but as yet I have not even added Avast or Firefox.

 

I just need it clear in my head - if anyone can clarify - I have a genuine problem here and am doing nothing untoward. I have previously managed to set up computers from scratch without hitch on several occasions. Hence me thinking it was Vista.

 

I'm sure you guys can understand I don't want to compromise or merely make do an mend on a new and warrantied piece of kit.

 

Oh and yes Zinglebarb, it does tend to work after a try or two of switching on and off/reset etc. but I know this is not right. It is a hassle having to go back and forth to the shop (local) but I guess it has to be done.

 

Steve

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Problem due to software- no charge?

 

Partition totally corrupt?

 

I smell a rat, we are not talking about dear old PC World here are we?

 

All those programs are legit and the wireless driver should already have been installed anyway.

[I4n]

Defo send it back, google your consumer rights as a purchaser, goods have to be fit for purpose.

[zinglebarb]

Thanks both.

 

I have to agree Wolfey. When the old man picked up his PC the first time (I should have went myself) there was little info.

 

The technician left a report stating "Problem due to software. Partition completely corrupt. Removed and reinstalled o/s. Activated and updated. No charge" - i wonder if that was the software included with the PC - it came with Nero 8, Power DVD and Vista It's a Mobo board and that had a couple of disks.

 

Now, is that meaning MY software was at fault? (it will be a day or two before I can get back to them).

 

I installed Firefox, Avast and the Belkin wireless driver. I cannot see the problem unless I am expected to use a PC with no added software (inc. internet) as to do this I need to add software.

 

The fact it is acting up again, and all I have done is added the driver concerns me. There is internet use but as yet I have not even added Avast or Firefox.

 

I just need it clear in my head - if anyone can clarify - I have a genuine problem here and am doing nothing untoward. I have previously managed to set up computers from scratch without hitch on several occasions. Hence me thinking it was Vista.

 

I'm sure you guys can understand I don't want to compromise or merely make do an mend on a new and warrantied piece of kit.

 

Oh and yes Zinglebarb, it does tend to work after a try or two of switching on and off/reset etc. but I know this is not right. It is a hassle having to go back and forth to the shop (local) but I guess it has to be done.

 

Steve

 

Did you do any of the rest I suggested ? The freeze ups and reboots would corrupt the partition table the fact it boot sometimes and then doesnt others to me points to a hardware issue

[Guest Wolfeymole]

In my opinion Zingy while this box is still under guarantee it's down to the shop to fix it and not us because any action taken via advice from us could render his guarantee void.

 

There is no shirking going on here.

[zinglebarb]

simple software checks to gather some evidence to provide to the shop will not hurt.

 

Whenever I communicate with after sales anywhere where I have a knowledge I make sure I let them know I know what I am on about and if they try to treat me like a noob they soon find themselves biting off more than they can chew ;)

 

If this is a small retailer then I can see the OP pushed from pillar to post while this charlatan tries the blag. If for example there are hard drive errors showing up in Ev then you tell them that its a failing hard drive if the ram fails memtest then you tell them its the ram. The company will not have a leg to stand on as long as you do not open the case and start messing about. If however its a driver installed by the OP causing the crash then we could end up saving them money

 

Incidentally ive had DEP crash a couple of Vista boxes lately and had to turn it off totally but the failed starts are whats bothering me

Edited June 7, 2009 by zinglebarb

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Well each to their own Zingy but if it was me I'd quote The Sale of Goods Act at them.

 

Sale of Goods Act Fact Sheet - BERR

 

Sale of Goods Act 1979 as amended up to date to 1/10/2003

[zinglebarb]

Trust me I know my rights and have had to invoke then a few times .

 

If the shop does not play ball you could be in for a long battle back and forth back and forth as weeks turn to months. Just at the tail end of a long fought battle with Overclockers over a ATI4670 which had faulty GDDR from the off. The card was sent back to them and they "tested it" the card come back and they said it was ok. It went back to them and again they returned it. They said it was the power supply as OCZ are not very good ,I then had to point it out to them that they ship a lot of their AMD systems with OCZ power supplies. We liased with OCZ in Holland who got there UK rep involved we also liased with AMD who agreed it was GDDR but they did not see the card. We then had to get in touch with Powercolor in Thailand and Stokes trading standards and eventually OCUK were under so much pressure they swapped out the card out. Then came the battle for costs as postage was charged for each return to them and each return back so we kept hassling Trading Standards even though they are not the first port of call now you have to go through another body first so it drags on and on but we won in the end and OCUK had to refund the costs all in all this took 4 months.

 

Moral quoting comsumer rights is not a sure fire way of a quick result :)

[Tootech]

To their credit, the retailer did take this machine back and sort it out for no charge.

 

There may be another problem lurking around, and in my opinion you should make the retailer aware of the situation, and take it from there.

 

Goods do have to be fit for purpose, and the law does protect you, regardless of any written warranty you are given.

 

I used to be a PC builder/ retailer and on one or two occasions systems came back with odd faults. It's never a nice experience, and if you are busy it can be a real pain. I'd say that any retailer worth his salt will deal with it fairly.

 

Also, it may be worth your while leaving off this software if you can, just for a while.

 

All I added was Firefox, Avast and Belkin

 

That way you have the standard build. If you need security, ask your retailer what they use/recommend and run trial of their product until you know all is ok.

 

I would also consider that if a unit came back to me, with the customer telling me had carried out testing as advised by an internet forum I would

 

1) Be wondering what the customer had actually been doing to the machine.

2) Consider if I had grounds to null and void the warranty.

 

The point being that any retailer will cover himself against tinkerers and we don't know the terms of this sale, nor do we know which parts were upgraded and which parts were not.

 

In my opinion this problem has to stay with the retailer.

Edited June 7, 2009 by Tootech

[zinglebarb]

If a customer come back to me and said I run memtest under advisement and it come up failing I would think nice one give sme somewhere to start. And as for looking in event viewer how can any of you say there is something wrong with that? its there its part of windows. How can a retailer complain at either of them?

 

Look at the 3 things I advised .

Turn off auto restart to get error code . Nothing wrong with that.

Check Event Viewer. Nothing wrong with that

Run memtest. Again nothing wrong with that.

 

None of that advise is incorrect or invasive and certainly not grounds for voiding a warranty

[Quacker]

Easy guys:o!

 

It is NOT PC World, but a local independent. I don't visualise any hassle as have used them for several purchases over the years and have a good relationship. No reason to think that should stop now.

 

I've just got in from work now and found it will not boot up again - once again I am greeted with the message

 

"Reboot and select proper boot device or insert boot media in selected boot device and press a key."

 

My dad usually panics at this stage and left it til I got in - he's had enough earbashings off me not to try and do it himself lol. I'll let you know how I get on.

 

Thanks again

 

Steve

[zinglebarb]

the machine doing that intermittently is hardware

[Quacker]

Just to update they have kindly agreed to not only have another look, but asked me drop-off the wireless dongle and software disk - that way, from scratch they can look at any potential conflict and replicate how I set the machine up.

 

So when it next comes back, it should be capable of wirelessly connecting, then I can add protection etc.

 

Hopefully this solves it once and for all - last thing we need is a saga:)

[Quacker]

Apologies for not updating this sooner! Just to post every thing is in good working order now. - even my "ham-fisted-but-deny-I-ever-touched-a-thing-it-just-happened" father has been able to browse away contentedly.

 

I haven't the report to hand but it would appear several components were replaced which may suggest damage in first place, but I'll never know just what the old fella contributed to any downfall ;)

 

Pleased to say my relationship is in tact with local independent store and they even added drivers and loaded software (which they normally wouldn't do) in order to ascertain whether it was anything wrong with compatability issues.

 

There is one piece of software which seems to have compatibility issues - it is a smart piece of hi-tec equipment for tracking aircraft via radar - the original software doesn't work too well with Vista, but I'm in contact with the manufacturers. (Airnav Radar Box).

 

Meanwhile, he wants a laptop........!