I need PC help. PLEASE, PLEASE HELP

[angeleyes]

I wish I bought a Mac, but I didn't and this thing is too new to just write off. Here are the symptoms:

1. Occasionally it will NOT recognize the keyboard (It's like typing to the air) and THEN, when I restart, there is a new problem, the damn thing won't boot right and it takes about 8-15 restarts to get it working again. It will get all the way to the desktop and barf from there. It won't recognize a few of it's icons and.........

2. Frequently it locks up and when I reboot -- I go to START> PROGRAMS and it says EMPTY, or a big white screen shows up with no programs and gives me error messages up the @ss. (DLL not loading, Wireless not connected, bla bla bla bla bla)

3. Frequently it will not recognize the shift button and only type in lower case until I hit the ALT button 30 Times or Just Reboot, which goes back to problem #1 -or- it will act posessed and when I hit the comma key, it will give me the < symbol when I'm NOT in caps or the shift button is not pushed down or stuck (this happens ALL the time)

4. Basically I can't shut the damn thing down without forcing it off with the power button, using START> OFF doesn't do crap.

What I have tried: (WHICH FAILS)

1. C/Reformat ... Partitioned the Hard Drive
2. Took all but 2 items off my start menu
3. The obvious: Scan Disk/ DeFrag/ Virus Check (with multiple programs) and anti-spyware checks.
4. Removed any program I don't NEED to work.


SPECS:
OS: XP
MODEL: HP Notebook (Media Version: SD-MS/Pro.MMC.SMD.XD)
Ok, the bitch is loaded up and I refuse to buy another when I just sold 3 laptops 6 months ago... I need, I WANT to make this thing work.

I have the anti-static tools to take her apart, but I would rather not do that because I'm just now learning how to gut computers.

[Compdoctor]

what did you install just before the problems?

[[ Nate ]]

If all else fails...this worked great for wiping mine and giving me a fresh start. http://dban.sourceforge.net/ WARNING: I have used it on a few computers and you have to COMPLETELY re-install EVERYTHING, drivers and all, on some systems manually. My friends dell was the easiest, but there was still some manual stuff to do....good luck!

[baddog]

what did you install just before the problems?

Agreed, doesn't sound like a self-inflicted wound.

[angeleyes]

what did you install just before the problems?

It was doing this crap before and I reformatted and just installed the OS and extras on the Manufacter provided CD's and ICQ, YAHOO, PS, AI and AVG

But this was going on before when I only had ICQ and YAHOO and NO other programs on it.

If it were a desktop, I probablly would risk taking it apart, but not a laptop, I'm not even at the level of "notebooks for dummies" to attempt something that pc-suicidal.

It can't be the software. I wiped this thing clean and after a week, all the crap started again, so I just don't shut the damn thing down any more because once I do, it takes an hour of hitting the on/off button again just to get it working half right.

[tASSy]

ack sounds like you accidentally installed something, best wishes!!!

[AaronM]

WARNING:

Anybody who tries to help her runs the risk of being accused of beating her and getting hauled off to jail.

[BV]

before you go too crazy shut everything down, unplug it, take the cover off, blow it out,

and then take the memory out and plug it back in, make sure all the plugs to the drives and etc... everything is/are connected well and tight.

[angeleyes]

before you go too crazy shut everything down, unplug it, take the cover off, blow it out,

and then take the memory out and plug it back in, make sure all the plugs to the drives and etc... everything is/are connected well and tight.

I'm terrified of taking my laptop apart... I am just now learning how to rip up desktop towers. What is the potential harm I could do to this thing? I have the canned air, I know to keep a very safe distance, use the static band, but I dunno....... sounds like a big deal (or am I just being overly worried)

[BV]

I'm terrified of taking my laptop apart... I am just now learning how to rip up desktop towers. What is the potential harm I could do to this thing? I have the canned air, I know to keep a very safe distance, use the static band, but I dunno....... sounds like a big deal (or am I just being overly worried)

oh i didn't know it was a laptop, sorry

i think there is a cover on the back where the memory is, that should be easy to check and eliminate as a possible problem.

a couple times i have had frustrating PC problems that turned out to be loose connections, once one of my memory sticks was about to fall out and another time the power plug on the HD was barely hanging on.

[Compdoctor]

I'm terrified of taking my laptop apart...

Laptop is the same as a desktop, only smaller. I do not think its a computer problem. It has to be something you added just before you had the problems.

If all else fails, do a low level format, it takes a long time, but it also wipes the computer, including any trojens that hang around.

have you scaned with EMCO Malware Bouncer, or Spybot - Search & Destroy?

[angeleyes]

Laptop is the same as a desktop, only smaller. I do not think its a computer problem. It has to be something you added just before you had the problems.

If all else fails, do a low level format, it takes a long time, but it also wipes the computer, including any trojens that hang around.

have you scaned with EMCO Malware Bouncer, or Spybot - Search & Destroy?

Spybot YES, I can't say I've heard of EMCO. Is there a trial version or a freeware download anywhere? I swept the PC with Nortons, TrendMicro and AVG.. all it found were harmless cookies. The only thing I do not understand is that these problems started months and months after I installed my last program and once wiped clean from scratch (not just restoring) they were still here.

I think BV might be right, I've got loose connections maybe. That makes sense when it comes to the computer not recognizing the keyboard or the stupid shit it does when I'm typing.

[ztik]

Did you spill water on your computer?

If its a laptop take it back, it sounds like your mobo is fucked up..

[ztik]

Why are you fucking tards telling her to run virus scans, she said she formatted.. and it didn't fix the probem..

[angeleyes]

Did you spill water on your computer?

If its a laptop take it back, it sounds like your mobo is fucked up..

No water, I make it a rule to keep liquids away from the computer because one time a 1/2 liter of Kool-aid got dumped into my notebook... you can imagine the damage that caused. I got lucky and the warranty approved store blamed it on something else and basically gave me my original shell with all new hardware. This puter however is just over warranty by a few weeks. (Typical of my luck).


I literally have to leave it running 24/7 (w/ hybernation), but I never turn it off because once I do that, it can't find it's own drivers. (Like I said above)

This brings me to another question: Is it bad to leave a PC running all of the time? Do cooling units work or are they a waste of time?

[ztik]

This brings me to another question: Is it bad to leave a PC running all of the time? Do cooling units work or are they a waste of time?

No, its not bad. But remember that some of these parts have a "lifetime" that will be shorter if left on.