Packard Bell running on XP with Virgin Internet.
Computer suddenly started playing up...picture and sound out of sync and running very stuttery and then slow and fast, etc.
I have a main motherboard with 1 card slotted in...
Not sure what to do so been advised to replace Motherboard and card (whatever it is)
If I do this, does it have to be the same board and if so how to I retain my XP which I assume is somewhere on the board...I have codes but no discs.
Any help appreciated...last help was a resounding success.
Cheers
Bob :computerangry:
Hi Bob
the Operating system - XP is installed on the Hard Drive not the motherboard so swapping the Motherboard won't affect the XP installation.
However, when XP is first installed it will have "tuned" itself the for the hardware it went on, theoretically you it might not perform optimally, you'd probably not notice it though. The main niggle with changing the hardware might be that you have some missing hardware drivers for the new stuff but the windows update may sort that out.
Best idea is a re-installation from DVD, I might have an XP disc floating about that you can have if you want to do a re-install.
Have you ruled out all other causes before changing the board? - virus??? dodgy program running in background?
Have you tried it without being connected to t'internet?
Any idea what the card is - graphics? network? sound?
Steve
Before you spend any money, try removing the case and vacuuming any dust away. This sounds like an overheating problem.
Cheers
Dave
I agree with Dave, try a good vacuum. I laughed at out IT guy when he said that to me, thought he was pulling my leg. But it worked.
Alex :wave:
Quote from: N Gauge Bob on January 13, 2014, 07:50:04 PM
Packard Bell running on XP with Virgin Internet.
Computer suddenly started playing up...picture and sound out of sync and running very stuttery and then slow and fast, etc.
I have a main motherboard with 1 card slotted in...
Not sure what to do so been advised to replace Motherboard and card (whatever it is)
If I do this, does it have to be the same board and if so how to I retain my XP which I assume is somewhere on the board...I have codes but no discs.
Any help appreciated...last help was a resounding success.
Cheers
Bob :computerangry:
I wouldn't replace just the board, or indeed any other specific bits in an XP era computer. You'll probably get better value just buying a new PC, especially the state of the market right now.
Be aware that Windows XP basically *ends* soon, there will be no security updates even, and you can bet some of the bad guys are waiting for that date with some of their concoctions.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows/end-support-help (http://windows.microsoft.com/en-GB/windows/end-support-help)
Clean out the crud and make sure the fans are running properly, run a full virus check and generally threaten it with a screwdriver. The threat is often quite sufficient.
Alan
Agree with the other guys, try cleaning it first
Last thing I'd swap would be the motherboard if it's still coming to life….
Once the physical maintenance is done it might be worth running a few checks on on your PC.
I virus scan is well recommended, I use Microsoft Security Essentials for virus protection, then via the Start menu go to "My Computer". Right click on your hard disk icon, look for a tab titled "Tools". You should then have a couple of options including "De-fragmentation" and "Error checking."
A defrag will reorganise the files on the hard drive. Think of it like a filing cabinet where up to this point you have just chucked files in randomly. A defrag will reorganise those files all neat and tidy.
A Error Check...well it need the PC to be restarted and may take a little while but will check the hard disk for errors and in most cases fix them.
Hope that helps..
I have an XP-era laptop that is struggling to cope with internet now - videos are almost impossible to watch with same symptoms as above. It's a 2.2GHz processor but single core, RAM has been upgraded to the maximum available but that's only 512MB, Have done everything possible regarding background programs and virus/malware cleanups but it just cannot cope any more. Think the volume of data now with large images, animations and videos is just too much for it. New laptop time I think! :computerangry:
Paul
After a physical clean there is a free program that is well worth using. Its called CCleaner, just google and install. Let it run on its defaults and it will find loads of stuff that you no longer need. Open CCleaner and run the the Cleaner a few times until it finds no more junk files. It will clean out all the various cache and temporary folders along with other files you wouldn't believe existed. All of which will slow your PC down by wasting time as it searches through everything which in turn slows up memory.
Once you've used the Cleaner then go on to use the Registry Cleaner within CCleaner. Let it do its thing. Once again run it a few times or until it finds no more problems. The program will offer you to backup any changes, don't worry about doing so, in the many years that I've been using this software it has never once caused any problems.
Once you've cleaned out all the junk, along with all the broken registry links using CCleaner software then use a defragger.
When ever someone, friends and family, mentioned a problem PC to me running slow I've done the same and in most, if not all, cases the PC has greatly improved in its running.
In the early days of using CCleaner (then it used to be called Crap Cleaner) I used to backup stuff as I went, I haven't bothered since I used XP. I've used it on Vista and I've used it since Win7 first came out and I've never had any problems with it. It does exactly what its name says without any problems. You don't gave to be a computer geek to use it, it's very user friendly. :thumbsup:
If after a good clean and you are still getting the same problems, then as EP says, its probably time to get a new one. Unless you fit the exact same motherboard as a replacement you will need to reinstall XP along with all your programs. A different motherboard means different drivers hence the need to reinstall XP.
As Alan says, with the price of new computers being so low, it is not worth messing about replacing boards. It is worth defragging the hard drive as Lionwing suggests and also virus check the drive. Use something like spy bot as well to get rid of any nasties. Have a look at Morgan computers, they often have pre-used or end of line bargains.
I'm running Windows 8 at the moment but, I always at the end of each session run 'Disc Cleanup' and
once a week 'Disc Defragment'. My friends ask me how I get my computer programs running so fast.
May you should try it, you never know ::)
One cold and frosty morning, a woman emailed her husband - "Windows frozen"
He emailed back - "Pour warm water over it"
Five minutes later she emailed back - "Computer won't work at all, now".
I'll get me coat.
Thanks to all. A huge selection of things to try.
I should have pointed out that I defrag the computer once a week and I use C Cleaner after every session.
I think a virus is unlikely as I use AVG and have never had one to date.
I have a 500gig hard drive and have free space of 478gig!!!! so computer not overloaded with rubbish.
Regarding having an unwanted programme running in then background...how and where would I find this?
I'll try the hoover later today. I haven't done a physical clean for 6 months so it may well be a little dusty.
I'll report back, but again, thanks for all the excellent ideas and suggestions.
Cheers
Bob
Be aware that AVG had a severe problem about 2 years ago and let a rather virulent virus through, can't remember what it was called but I know of a 2 people it effected and well screwed up their machines. I use the free Microsoft Security Essentials and never had a problem with it.
Quote from: N Gauge Bob on January 14, 2014, 08:53:43 AM
Regarding having an unwanted programme running in then background...how and where would I find this?
One way is using CCleaner: in the Tools button on left hand side, one of the options is "Startup" - make sure that only the processes you want are starting up. This may not be able to pick out anything malicious though.
Quote from: N Gauge Bob on January 14, 2014, 08:53:43 AM
Thanks to all. A huge selection of things to try.
I should have pointed out that I defrag the computer once a week and I use C Cleaner after every session.
I think a virus is unlikely as I use AVG and have never had one to date.
I have a 500gig hard drive and have free space of 478gig!!!! so computer not overloaded with rubbish.
Regarding having an unwanted programme running in then background...how and where would I find this?
I'll try the hoover later today. I haven't done a physical clean for 6 months so it may well be a little dusty.
I'll report back, but again, thanks for all the excellent ideas and suggestions.
Cheers
Bob
Bob
If you open the Start menu and look for the "Run" command on the right. This will open a little window. Into this type "msconfig". Click the "Startup" tab. This will show a list of text and check boxes. A tick indicates that at startup the PC starts these programs. Some are useful and needed others are just hogging resources!
My general rule is that is under the "Command" column a program shows a path of "C:\Windows.."...etc I keep it ticked. Everything else is fair game! You will likely see printer software starting, your virus software and a lot of other stuff relating to programs you have installed. Take it one or two items at a time and if you notice something missing after changing the startup programs it is easily reversed!
Dam fickle these PC's!
Quote from: whiteswan on January 14, 2014, 09:00:21 AM
Be aware that AVG had a severe problem about 2 years ago and let a rather virulent virus through, can't remember what it was called but I know of a 2 people it effected and well screwed up their machines. I use the free Microsoft Security Essentials and never had a problem with it.
Like Whiteswan I don't like AVG. It has become far to "heavy" and not very good.
I second the Microsoft Security Essentials. A much lighter and compact package!
I got rid of AVG too a couple of years ago. I now use "Advanced System Care" which is excellent. There is a free version, but the paid-for one is not exactly expensive and cleaned out the family laptops a treat.
Good luck!
Chris
Quote from: N Gauge Bob on January 14, 2014, 08:53:43 AM
Thanks to all. A huge selection of things to try.
I should have pointed out that I defrag the computer once a week and I use C Cleaner after every session.
I think a virus is unlikely as I use AVG and have never had one to date.
I have a 500gig hard drive and have free space of 478gig!!!! so computer not overloaded with rubbish.
Regarding having an unwanted programme running in then background...how and where would I find this?
I'll try the hoover later today. I haven't done a physical clean for 6 months so it may well be a little dusty.
I'll report back, but again, thanks for all the excellent ideas and suggestions.
Cheers
Bob
When your computor is running slowly check the hard drive status light. If it is on permanently it could indicate a computor fault.
Dodger
Right...update
Took the computer apart and thoroughly hoovered it out...carefully and on low power as I normally do.
There was some dust generally and a fair bit in the microprocessor heat sink, but nothing more than usual.
Put it back together.
The old problem exists and now I have a new one..think I did something to the fan....it's running full speed all the time and ever so noisy...checked the connections are all OK and that I put it in correctly. Normally I get full power fan on start up and a slightly increased fan on downloading....now I can hardly hear myself think....never done this before.
I did manage to run several You Tube videos which I know are OK and they are all out of sync sound / picture, with jerky picture and sound breaks as well.
The boards are as follows:
Motherboard gigabyte GA-81915PMD
Sub board gigabyte GV-NX62LTC256T and has D Type and S-video connections on the back of which I use only the D Type
These are as supplied with the machine but the extra board was replaced a couple of years back...can't remember why.
Computer set up is
Packard Bell running on XP Home Edition 2002 Service Pack 3 and up to date on updates.
Intel Pentium 4 3.06ghz
Nvidia graphics which have never been used 'cos it was too hard for me to set up..I got very :confused2:
500 gig hard drive
2 gig memory 3.06 ghz
Think I'm going to have to get a new computer but that won't happen now until next year...not in this years budget.
Cheers
Bob
Quote from: Brooksy on January 14, 2014, 09:10:49 AM
Quote from: N Gauge Bob on January 14, 2014, 08:53:43 AM
Regarding having an unwanted programme running in then background...how and where would I find this?
One way is using CCleaner: in the Tools button on left hand side, one of the options is "Startup" - make sure that only the processes you want are starting up. This may not be able to pick out anything malicious though.
There was a load of stuff on there from long deleted progs, so I removed them.
Most indicate what they are and who they are from, but I have one called nwiz which is blank for origin..any thoughts?
Cheers
Bob
Quote from: N Gauge Bob on January 14, 2014, 02:39:03 PM
The old problem exists and now I have a new one..think I did something to the fan....it's running full speed all the time and ever so noisy
The fan is driven by the system based upon the temperature sensors. If its running flat out all the time then something thinks there is a heat problem.
"Sub board gigabyte GV-NX62LTC256T"
Thats an Nvidia GeForce 6200 graphics card with 256MB RAM
On most PC systems you can check the temperature sensor data in the BIOS settings. There are some windows apps for doing the same but I don't run Windows so I'm not sure what would be best to check.
The CPU in question (3GHz Pentium 4) is one of a generation of processors that are notoriously heat producing and over time you can get problems with the contact between the heatsink and cpu die (the heat cycling gradually forces the heatsink compound out of the join if you are unlucky)
That's fixable if so and very cheaply but you do need to know what you are doing when taking the relevant bits apart as they are easily damaged by static or by force in the wrong place. You also have to be certain you get no dirt in there.
Quote from: Kipper on January 13, 2014, 11:59:34 PM
One cold and frosty morning, a woman emailed her husband - "Windows frozen"
He emailed back - "Pour warm water over it"
Five minutes later she emailed back - "Computer won't work at all, now".
Reminds me of when I worked technical support.
The foot peddle doesn't work? (the mouse)
Can I have my PC fitted with one f those cup holders? (CD)
The screen is upside down (monitor actually the wrong way up)
Seems some people just see a computer, freeze and throw common sense out of the window.
When you stop the computer by clicking the 'start' menu are you surprised.
Common sense ??
Quote from: EtchedPixels on January 14, 2014, 03:27:58 PM
Quote from: N Gauge Bob on January 14, 2014, 02:39:03 PM
The old problem exists and now I have a new one..think I did something to the fan....it's running full speed all the time and ever so noisy
The fan is driven by the system based upon the temperature sensors. If its running flat out all the time then something thinks there is a heat problem.
"Sub board gigabyte GV-NX62LTC256T"
Thats an Nvidia GeForce 6200 graphics card with 256MB RAM
On most PC systems you can check the temperature sensor data in the BIOS settings. There are some windows apps for doing the same but I don't run Windows so I'm not sure what would be best to check.
The CPU in question (3GHz Pentium 4) is one of a generation of processors that are notoriously heat producing and over time you can get problems with the contact between the heatsink and cpu die (the heat cycling gradually forces the heatsink compound out of the join if you are unlucky)
That's fixable if so and very cheaply but you do need to know what you are doing when taking the relevant bits apart as they are easily damaged by static or by force in the wrong place. You also have to be certain you get no dirt in there.
Hi Alan
Yes familiar with the heat sink, etc as took apart to clean it...no, there is NO heatsink compound between the heatsink base and the top of the chip so that might be the problem. I'll pop to Maplins or similar tomorrow and get some tomorrow
Thanks Alan
Cheers
Bob
I seem to have improved my computor by disabling automatic updates for Adobe Acrobat.
dodger
I second the use of MSCONFIG to check what programs are launching from startup. If you've never done this on your PC, you're in for a shock! :goggleeyes:
Quote from: captainelectra on January 15, 2014, 07:42:26 PM
I second the use of MSCONFIG to check what programs are launching from startup. If you've never done this on your PC, you're in for a shock! :goggleeyes:
Thats how I improved mine. A couple of programs had been starting up for years. Now I know how to stop them.
dodger
Quote from: whiteswan on January 14, 2014, 09:00:21 AM
Be aware that AVG had a severe problem about 2 years ago and let a rather virulent virus through, can't remember what it was called but I know of a 2 people it effected and well screwed up their machines. I use the free Microsoft Security Essentials and never had a problem with it.
As part of my job I run extensive tests on various Anti-Virus packages. This involves deliberately installing viruses on PCs and looking at what gets detected by different packages.
In my opinion ESET produce
the best workstation anti-virus bar non, but it is quite expensive. The common ones (which tend to be pre-installed on machines when you buy them) are not worth the disk-space they take up. If you can't afford ESET then I also recommend Microsoft Security Essentials. It out-performs Norton, MacAfee, AVG and Panda and is totally free.
Before you all deluge me with 'I've used product 'xyz' for years without a problem, ponder this question:
If your anti-virus can't detect and protect you from a given virus, how would you know that you don't have it. Lack of a virus detection is not proof that you don't have that virus!
Cheers
Dave
Quote from: EtchedPixels on January 14, 2014, 03:27:58 PM
Quote from: N Gauge Bob on January 14, 2014, 02:39:03 PM
The old problem exists and now I have a new one..think I did something to the fan....it's running full speed all the time and ever so noisy
The fan is driven by the system based upon the temperature sensors. If its running flat out all the time then something thinks there is a heat problem.
"Sub board gigabyte GV-NX62LTC256T"
Thats an Nvidia GeForce 6200 graphics card with 256MB RAM
On most PC systems you can check the temperature sensor data in the BIOS settings. There are some windows apps for doing the same but I don't run Windows so I'm not sure what would be best to check.
The CPU in question (3GHz Pentium 4) is one of a generation of processors that are notoriously heat producing and over time you can get problems with the contact between the heatsink and cpu die (the heat cycling gradually forces the heatsink compound out of the join if you are unlucky)
That's fixable if so and very cheaply but you do need to know what you are doing when taking the relevant bits apart as they are easily damaged by static or by force in the wrong place. You also have to be certain you get no dirt in there.
I got the thermal compound today...£7 for a small syringe and indeed following application, the computer has returned to its normal quiet self....praise be to the suggestion from your goodself :admiration:
I have also ordered a complete board and Nvidia card because I found some reconditioned ones at a snip.
Cheers
Bob
Glad you are back up and running!
Quote from: N Gauge Bob on January 16, 2014, 07:32:39 PM
I got the thermal compound today...£7 for a small syringe and indeed following application, the computer has returned to its normal quiet self....praise be to the suggestion from your goodself :admiration:
Excellent news - and cheaper than a new mobo.
Hi Good news
However, you do need to get off XP as soon as possible, as Microsoft drop support for XP on April 8th, which means no more patches for any vulnerabilities that won't have been patched already by April 8th, and to make matters far worse, each new security update that Microsoft releases for Windows Vista or later could potentially become a how-to manual for new exploits, should the same flaws exist in XP.
So, I suggest escaping the Windows XP arena as soon as possible, as you might guess my recommendation would be to move to a Linux based os, but if that's not the case, then move to at least Windows 7, I would avoid Windows 8 altogether and see what Windows 9 is going to be like, if you really must stay with a Microsoft operating system.
Cheers
Tony
Stick with Windows 7 until a proper replacement for 8 comes along.
The current 8.1 is an improvement, with a proper start button and the ability to boot to the Desktop, but Microsoft have learned and will be doing a proper desktop friendly Windows 9 next year.