Help! something seriously wrong!

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euanandrews

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#12133 28-Feb-2007 23:47

Touch wood.
Just after saying to someone nothing has gone wrong with my pc's for years now with my security...BAM!

My computer 'freezes'
It started Tuesday night....and I havent been able to fix it since....
I was only able to get into windows in safe mode, and removed all my precious data....
So from there, I thought, easy way to fix it is format and reinstall the OS....
Well this is where I'm now stuck...
I formatted and renistalled windows, only to get to the part of the install where the system asks for time, keyboard layout etc etc and BAM!
It froze again...
After rebooting, system came up with a series of errors, including requiring password, and would not start or progree any further, just said reboot....
So I have tried again, reformatted and reinstalled my OS, and have got the same result....it freezes during the install process, stuffin the install.

So what is wrong? how can I fix this?
I'm guessing that if ive done a format and reinstall, its not a virus as all has been wiped clean....
So Im guessin its either a hardware problem, or something to do with BIOs???
What can I do from here, how can I figure out the problem???

Toshiba Satellite M40 laptop
XP sp2
1gb ram
2ghz

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
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#62383 28-Feb-2007 23:52

Could be a lot of things, and I list my bets:

- faulty memory
- fault HDD
- faulty motherboard
- faulty CD drive
- fauly install CD

As you can see it can anything really. Try this for a start: Microsoft Windows Memory Diagnostic. The program allows you to create a boot CD with a memory test program. Boot from the CD and let it run overnight to see if you find any memory problems. Of course you need to download and create the boot CD on a working PC, not yours...

kwaan

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#62385 1-Mar-2007 00:14

I would put more emphasis on the HDD or the motherboard.....insert a linux live cd to see if cd drive is at fault.....

ps - as for the computer freezing.....what did you download prior to before your computer started freezing? i had a customer also with the same problem....and it was new kind of spyware/trojan that is so new that even my anti virus didnt pick up when i scanned it and i had to get the removal tool off google.....i forgot the exact name of tool....it was goldstun something rather.....

euanandrews

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#62387 1-Mar-2007 02:52

The CD drive works/worked fine....

It worked in safe mode when lappy was working, and it works when I boot from cd drive, to reinstall OS.....

I will download and try that program Freitasm, appreciate.

Currently having to use decades old beasty desktop, she is slowwwwww......

I have been thinking what have I done recently that could be to blame....

I got some movies of a mate....but hes had no problems of this sort....
I downloaded a program....I'm guessin thats could be dodgy...
And I used dialup as was visiting family...

But thing is, if I got a virus in a shody program, should it not e gone after a format and OS reinstall?

After 2 fresh installs, the lappy is still freezing, so I'm guessin its something more serious?

hairy1

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#62389 1-Mar-2007 07:04

If the CPU fan gets full of dust or stops and can't cool the CPU that will cause the symptoms you are describing.

Cheers,

Matt.

My views (except when I am looking out their windows) are not those of my employer.

euanandrews

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#62411 1-Mar-2007 11:28

Well the Windows Memory Diagnostic tool showed up nothing....

I'm not willing to go into the guts of the machine myself so have now reluctantly passed onto a techie.

I hope it is just some dust as suggested, as a new motherboard or new CPU as the techie is suggesting will run into hundreds...