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Joined: Jan 2009
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I am trying to find out if my recent computer problem called, "Vista Black Screen of Death" is a hard drive problem or something else and cannot seem to find or receive an answer.
The reason I am asking is that the diagnostics process here in Montreal runs from 50$ and up and that is just to access the problem not fix it.
If my problem is a Hard Drive problem then I will replace my HD. If it is an OS problem then I would change that as well and probably end end up upgrading what I now have BUT right now I cannot see putting out money to be told something I could have answered, hopefully here.
Right now I have made sure that my laptop does not shut down and since that period, knock on wood, I have been able to do what I need to do on my own laptop but I would really like to know.
So if you have an understanding of this problem, OR know someone who does, could you please give me some kind of answer?
Douglas
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While the computer is running properly, back up any important files onto something else - an external hard drive, a thumb drive, DVDs, a cloud storage unit on Google or Hotmail, etc. The chances are that it will crash again, maybe permanently, and you could lose whatever is stored on the hard drive.
I had a Vista laptop from Hewlett Packard a couple of years ago and it kept showing me the black screen of death and finally died completely. It was a hardware/motherboard issue, not a hard drive and not the OS. I was afraid to send it off to be repaired because stored on it were passwords to bank accounts, etc. I wound up buying another computer and trashing the laptop.
There are many causes for the black or blue screen and nobody is going to be able to diagnose it based on the information you have given.
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Thank you Colin. I have all my files, except a few newer ones backed up on an external hard drive.
I am not afraid to send it to be "looked" at just don't want to waste 50+$ on a lost cause when I could use that for the purpose of purchasing a newer machine.
If, and I know that with computers the "ifs" are and can be many, the problem is a hardware/motherboard issue then the computer is toast right? The expense would be to much right?
Douglas
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Douglas,
Since you have your important files backed up, perhaps a restore to the original factory setting is in order? Do you have the ability to restore from a preset partition or possibly have the manufacturer's restore disk readily available?
If you tell me the make/model of your laptop I can look up the info for you.
Dave
"Where there's a Gill, there's a way"
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Hello Dave. Since this has occured this is what I have done to either find out where the problem lies or what it might be:
Believe that my system has fallen under Vistas “Black Screen Of Death.”
After talking to “tech” guys online and after searching out the problem I have performed the following: (When I have gotten it to “boot up”):
- system restore,
-a “Factory (out of the box) Restore”
-and have run my system through various “scans” (CHKDSK, Security Essential, Windows Defender, Sophos Anti Rootkit and Avast Anti-Virus Boot Scan but only “Sophos”found anything, two hidden files for Best Buy, and they were deleted.)
It has been suggested that this problem could be a HD problem and that maybe I should purchase a new HD. It has also been suggested, online, that this is an OS problem that Microsoft/Vista has been having since 2009, either way I do not have the coin to purchase a newer machine and kind of like mine.
Toshibia (Laptop), Satellite 32 Bit, SP2, Model Number: PSLC8C-02Q019, Running Vista HP and has the AMD Duel Core).
So what I would like to know is if I were to bring my machine to you: (Or if you were to come to me?)
-how much do you charge for “looking” at it? AND
-how much would you charge to install a new HD ( upgrading the capacity and memory) and the OS Windows 7 HP?
Yours Truly,
Douglas Murphy
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If, and I know that with computers the "ifs" are and can be many, the problem is a hardware/motherboard issue then the computer is toast right? The expense would be to much right?
I don't really know. There are lots of places to buy used parts for computers and there are thousands of people who can do this kind of thing who do not work for big stores. I would ask around among your friends and see if they know someone locally who could look at it and maybe fix it with used parts. I also know a place in the US that deals in government surplus computers that are sold very cheaply - probably something similar up your way. http://megasystemsltd.com/
Last edited by Colin Ward; 09/07/11 07:49 PM.
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Thanks Colin.
It is just that one would wish that one could actually get a straight answer. I guess that when it comes to computers, cars and other things there are none.
Will keep asking and searching and while it runs keep using the laptop I have now.
Douglas
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Douglas,
I'll do a little research here to see if there are truly any legitimate incompatabilities with Toshiba brand laptops and Windows Vista.
From what you've described I'd lean more towards a bad hard drive. What were the results of the CheckDisk?
Dave
"Where there's a Gill, there's a way"
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Morning Dave.
I hope you have better luck in your search. I could find many topics and possible solutions but nothing concret. It seems that the issue is so large that it could be anything.
All of my scans, including what is called a "CHDSK" in this OS, came out clean with no "Errors" or virus.
If ya find anything pass it on.
I am starting to believe though that no one really knows.
Douglas
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Douglas,
Well, being a computer tech I understand the frustration one can experience when dealing with situations like this. And when faced with limited finances it can become quite nerve-wracking. Don't let it get you down. There's always a solution. We'll figure it out...
Peace,
Dave
"Where there's a Gill, there's a way"
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Joined: Dec 2000
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Douglas, please explain the "black screen of death" a bit more. I skipped Vista because I knew it had lots of issues, so I have no real knowledge of the OS. But could it simply be a case of the laptop screen going to sleep? Many do to conserve battery power. Hence the simple fix would be to not allow sleep mode. edit Here's actually a video of what I'm talking about... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1z1jeA7pPvoand you should see more videos relating to the issue
If writing ever becomes work I think I'm going to have to stop
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Joined: Dec 2000
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Got this in an email this morning..an update on a classic bit
COSTELLO CALLS TO BUY A COMPUTER FROM ABBOTT
ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?
COSTELLO: Thanks I'm setting up an office in my den and I'm thinking about buying a computer.
ABBOTT: Mac?
COSTELLO: No, the name's Lou.
ABBOTT: Your computer?
COSTELLO: I don't own a computer. I want to buy one.
ABBOTT: Mac?
COSTELLO: I told you, my name's Lou.
ABBOTT: What about Windows?
COSTELLO: Why? Will it get stuffy in here?
ABBOTT: Do you want a computer with Windows?
COSTELLO: I don't know. What will I see when I look at the windows?
ABBOTT: Wallpaper.
COSTELLO: Never mind the windows. I need a computer and software.
ABBOTT: Software for Windows?
COSTELLO: No. On the computer! I need something I can use to write proposals, track expenses and run my business. What do you have?
ABBOTT: Office.
COSTELLO: Yeah, for my office. Can you recommend anything?
ABBOTT: I just did.
COSTELLO: You just did what?
ABBOTT: Recommend something.
COSTELLO: You recommended something?
ABBOTT: Yes.
COSTELLO: For my office?
ABBOTT: Yes.
COSTELLO: OK, what did you recommend for my office?
ABBOTT: Office.
COSTELLO: Yes, for my office!
ABBOTT: I recommend Office with Windows.
COSTELLO: I already have an office with windows! OK, let's just say I’m sitting At my computer and I want to type a proposal. What do I need?
ABBOTT: Word.
COSTELLO: What word?
ABBOTT: Word in Office.
COSTELLO: The only word in office is office.
ABBOTT: The Word in Office for Windows.
COSTELLO: Which word in office for windows?
ABBOTT: The Word you get when you click the blue 'W'.
COSTELLO: I'm going to click your blue 'W' if you don't start with some straight answers. What about financial bookkeeping? You have anything I can track my money with?
ABBOTT: Money.
COSTELLO: That's right. What do you have?
ABBOTT: Money.
COSTELLO: I need money to track my money?
ABBOTT: It comes bundled with your computer.
COSTELLO: What's bundled with my computer?
ABBOTT: Money.
COSTELLO: Money comes with my computer?
ABBOTT: Yes. No extra charge.
COSTELLO: I get a bundle of money with my computer? How much?
ABBOTT: One copy.
COSTELLO: Isn't it illegal to copy money?
ABBOTT: Microsoft gave us a license to copy Money.
COSTELLO: They can give you a license to copy money?
ABBOTT: Why not? THEY OWN IT!
(A few days later)
ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you?
COSTELLO: How do I turn my computer off?
ABBOTT: Click on 'START'...
If writing ever becomes work I think I'm going to have to stop
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Joined: Apr 2001
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Hello John. I now have turned off the computers ability to turn itself off and I haven't been turning it off as well.
What has happened is this:
One morning out of the blue my system wouldn't boot up. I tried and tried all day and then suddenly it did.
Did a "System Restore Point" and scanned my computer for virus and or Root Kits...Nothing. The computer worked and then stopped again once it was left idel for a period of time.
After many more attempts I got it to boot up again and this time backed up my files and did a "Full System Recovery (Back to factory settings)
Ran my scans...nothing and worked again for a period of time where I could turn the system off completly and then re-boot every time. Until it went down again.
After getting it to boot up I then changed the settings and I leave it on now for good.
That's it.
Douglas
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That was a very funny.
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