Crash

I ahve just had a crash is total died it wont even start in safe mode if i reinstall windows will it delete everything on the comp?

 

Yes, but it won't help if hardware is failing.

You need to find out if it's a software or hardware problem.

Your post is very vague and doesn't supply any details or specs.

 

Sorry it had only just happend .

it is a compaq pressario 8100 2.8 ghz p4 1024 ram

i booted it up the safe mode boot screen came up when it tried to boot in all ways on the list it said system32 pci drivers is corrupt or missing.

i dont wanna lose my files

 

I'm assuming it's XP? The exact error message would be good too if possible?

Also, did this occur after any particular incident like a software patch or upgrade etc?

Does it start in Last Known Good Configuration? (Repeatedly tap F8 as it's rebooting, then select from menu)


Is THIS the error? Try the outlined suggestions.

HERE is some information which suggest failing hardware.

 

What happened was i was on this computer and i wanted to send some files to the computer that has crashed and i got cannot find network path so i went to have a look at it when i got into the room the screen was black i held the power button to turn it off when it restarted the f8 menu came up i have tried all of the options.

the error message is Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt: System32\DRIVERS\pci.sys

also when the redd compaq sign comes on right at the beggining it has small vertical black lines in it

 

also i tried to run the recovery and it stoped half way through loading.

i tried taking out all the pci cards


sorry for the double post

 

I have got it back to the way it was if anyone is interested how this is what i did.


1. i had a spare 80 gb hard drive (hd2) so i set it to master and set the hard drive i was having problems with (hd1) to slave i then installed windows onto hd2 i then took the files off of hd1 and put them onto hd2 i then formated hd1 and set it as the master then i took the files off of hd2 and it was done i am now happy i can listen to my nofx once again.

 

Since then it has happened 3 times if i unplug the computer for 5 hours it works again.

Could it be because the room it is in is quite damp?

 

Anythings possible, but not very probable.

However, it's starting to look more like hardware problems.

Have you tried everything suggested in the Micro$$oft link I supplied earlier?

 

Yes i did .

In your opinion what would be the first thing you think it would be?

 

The most obvious is a PCI card of some sort.

Exactly what, I obviously can't say, and it can be hard to find the culprit.

If you haven't already, try removing any PCI cards that aren't vital, as well as any other non-essential hardware.

Have the bare minium installed, then if it's stable, reintroduce the items one by one.

 

i would think pci too on this one, damp always sounds scary to hear why's the area damp? if its too damp you can get moisture to start corrosion, look at capacitors on motherboard for the white and blue corrosion leakage. if you find any there then there may be corrosion in the power supply, i always get smacked when i say try another power supply, but i have had good sucess at changing out a power supply on an unstable computer and jsut that fixing the old power off problem, just last week at a business service call i had a computer that was doing something like yours, i repaired the windows install and the thing just kep shutting off checked all the cards in a bench rig they were ok, changed out the power supply and ran the computer a day without it shutting off. So far i have not heard anything from the owner of their computer having a crash or shutdown yet.

 

Thanks for your input guys.
Last night i tried taking out a ram module why i didnt earlier i dont know it booted twice only to the welcome screen then stalled then on the third time it booted up fine i left it on all night it was still on this morning.

Do you think that could of been the problem?

 

It's possible, the Micro$$oft link I posted mentions memory.

 

yeah i went back and read it again i didnt see that last time.
It has been running ok for the last few days i will keep an eye on it.

Thanks for your help guys hopfully its ok i cant wait till next year when i buy a new computer.