Video Problems?

I've asked similar questions before on this board, but I couldn't find that thread, so I'll start a new one. When I start the PC first thing in the morning the monitor stays blank. I push the reset button and it starts, but the screen is text, and it offers me the chance to go back to a previous start point, or continue and load windows. I have tried both options. I have also tried the system restore from the start menu, to no avail. My daughter plays Age of Mythology, and it restarts the game every ten minutes or so.
Sometimes I get a please send microsoft this serious error message, and when I do so, it comes back with the suggestion that my Nvidia drivers are lacking, and gives me a URL to download an update. I downloaded the update and installed it, but it hasn't fixed the problem.

I have an:
AMD XP 2000
512 MB of DDR Ram
Aopen GeForce 4 MX440 64M DDR w/TVout
16 bit on board sound
41 GB IBM Ultra DMA 100 IDE(7200rpm) HD

Anybody have any suggestions?

Thanks

 

HI, I am not a game player so might not be able to help you.

You said you have tried System Restore. Did you restore to a previous point before the troubles and it did not help.

OR

Did system Restore not work at all. Usually you go back in time with system restore until you get to the point where your system is back to normal. It might not be the last point but one a month or so back.

It is possible that you might be better doing a repair install or reinstall completely but before doing that I should wait for more answers unless you like work. Peace Mal

 

I went back about a month with the system restore, to before the problems started.

one other thing: My CPU might be running a little hot - 56C/132F Could that have anything to do with it?

 

I am sorry but I have never look inside the box. When I started my computer was a luxury item and my wife would have gone mad if I had bust it and now my eyes are not all that good.

One of the others will pick the thread up. I just could not work out whether your system restore worked at all or not.

If you have restored it to the previous point then your registry should be the same as before.

If you can wait I 'd say give it a couple of days to be if anyone answers.

I downloaded the drivers too and had no problems but I only post on the forums or use Word. Peace Mal

 

Are you using standby or suspend instead of shutting down your computer? I had many trouble with suspend on my laptop (using windows95 then.)

This sounds like your computer is overheating, either the video card or the CPU.

 

Thanks. The overheating was something I was concerned about. The damn thing is still under warranty. so I'm going to get them to improve the fan.

 

Okay, I managed to drop the cpu temp to about 45C by leaving the case open. It hasn't helped.
I want to reinstall the OS(XPhome) with as little disruption as possible. I want to keep all the saved files(mp3 wav mpg office etc) on the hard drive.

I don't mind if I have to reinstall all the games and programs I downloaded(kazaalite, zonealarm netscape etc).

Could someone link me to a page that describes how to do the re-install, or even provide instructions themselves?

Thanks a lot in advance

 

hi, Go to http://briansbuzz.com/search/ and put your query in there. I have not tried it but it is supposed to be very good.

You put your CD in the drive and then follow the instruction except you miss the first box that asks you do you want to do a repair as it takes you to the recovery console. If you keep going through the index it will ask you where to install XP and you select the box to pick the location. It will then give you a variety of choices one of which is "repair". This one will repair your windows OS and leave everything intact. You will then have your OS back to the way it was when first installed on the computer so you will have to download all the updates all over again.
Have a look at that address and search for something like "repair install for XP" I am not sure whether it turns up the info straight away or gives a number of sites where you can pick it up. Peace Mal

PS went there and it gives you a list of links that will answer your question.

Here is one. http://www.jsiinc.com/SUBL/tip5800/rh5808.htm

 

Thanks for your help Mal. I'm going to try that over the weekend if I get time.