Blue screen of death?

NLAlston

NLAlston

Member
Hi all,

A short while back my nephew purchased a used computer from someone. It is an HP Pavilion 521c, and worked fine up until about two weeks ago. Upon an attempt to install the Norton AntiVirus program, the system just flat out locked up. Every single effort to restart the computer would not get us past the Startup screen. He (my nephew) had left it like that, for an entire night, hoping that time would effectuate a favorable difference. But his morning rise found that there was no change. Now, there were no programs whatsoever, that came with the purchase, and I brought it home, tonight, to see what I could do to help. I could not find the Universal Boot Disk (floppy) which came with my old Gateway computer, so I tried to use my WinXP Pro disk - hoping that it would allow getting this thing going again. But that was to no avail, either. Neither of us has the slightest clue behind what happened, but he REALLY needs to get this computer working again. Does anyone know of anything that we could do to turn this matter around? Limited finances, at the time, will not afford the option of putting it in the shop - so we are kind of on our own in this.

Any help, here, would be appreciated more than words could express.

...............
Blessings,

Nathan
 
What version of windows is installed on the computer? Have you tried starting in Safe Mode? If all else fails, download a bootdisk for that version of windows from the internet to get in that way. To save data, open the computer, take the hard drive out, move the jumper to the Slave position, put the hard drive in another computer, and copy the important files onto another disk. If you end up formating and reinstalling the operating system, you will need to find all of the drivers for your hardware, if you don't have any disks that came with the computer. I hope you don't have to do this, if you've never done it before.
 
thomprice said:
What version of windows is installed on the computer? Have you tried starting in Safe Mode? If all else fails, download a bootdisk for that version of windows from the internet to get in that way. To save data, open the computer, take the hard drive out, move the jumper to the Slave position, put the hard drive in another computer, and copy the important files onto another disk. If you end up formating and reinstalling the operating system, you will need to find all of the drivers for your hardware, if you don't have any disks that came with the computer. I hope you don't have to do this, if you've never done it before.
Click to expand...

Thom,

Thanks for responding. I am not sure what the version is, on his system, but I think that it is Millenium. I don't know how to start it in "Safe Mode", nor how to go about entering the BIOS area (someone told me that I may be able to format it from there). I had thought that repeated pressings of the F3 key, at first display of Windows, would bring up that sought-for place, but it did not. My nephew has nothing on the computer that he is concerned about saving, so formatting it would not be a problem. In fact, formatting it is what we want to do. Drivers for whatever hardware, in this computer, could be downloaded from the internet. And, if we can get this thing running again, he will buy WinXP for it (which, I am told, has a rather large driver database embedded within it).
 
Thom,

Well, I found out that he has XP on his system. I had seen it all the time, but just hadn't focused on it due to all that I was trying to do for him :) . It also turned out that I found a BootDisk download, but will have to get somewhere so that I can extract it to a floppy (which is apparently required), as I don't have a floppy drive on my system. My nephew has one on his, though, and I hope that this little program will do the job.
 
If you open your case up , look for the battery. Next to the battery you will find a jumper that is linking 2 of the 3 jumper settings. If you move it to the other 2 for about 1 minute, then move it back to it's original position, that is what's called clearing the CMOS. after you do that it will usually take you to the BIOS and from that point, you can make adjustments to boot.
 
zeefrenchman said:
If you open your case up , look for the battery. Next to the battery you will find a jumper that is linking 2 of the 3 jumper settings. If you move it to the other 2 for about 1 minute, then move it back to it's original position, that is what's called clearing the CMOS. after you do that it will usually take you to the BIOS and from that point, you can make adjustments to boot.
Click to expand...

Zee,

Thanks a lot. I will most definitely give that a shot, just as soon as I gain a few free minutes.
 
About a year ago I got a real nasty virus that when I opened up norton it locked up my computer...just food for thought!
 
cell4me said:
About a year ago I got a real nasty virus that when I opened up norton it locked up my computer...just food for thought!
Click to expand...

Yeah, it was definitely behind an attempted instance with Norton that everything went haywire with this PC. I followed Zee's suggestion and opened up the case by which to temporarily alter the jumper settings. Finding the battery was no problem, but I saw no jumper cluster in close proximity to it. Further up, however, I did see a small bed of four copper looking pins - with three of them being covered by a small plastic piece which housed a metal connector. I am certain that this was the jumper, and switched the position for a few minutes. This didn't help matters, though, and I am back at square one (thanks, anyway, Zee - for trying to help).

I was able to copy that XP bootup program to floppy disk, but learned that there is something wrong with the floppy drive in my nephew's computer (the disk will NOT insert deep enough for activation. From what I can see there are two options available to me:

1). Buy a USB floppy disk adapter by which to have the boot disk read. As I am not certain that this will work I feel that...

2). purchasing one of those USB cradles (which enables the externalization of CDRom & Hard Disk drives) might be a worthwhile bet. I am assuming that I should be able to format that particular drive after embedding it into that cradle unit, and marrying it to my computer.

Does anyone view this as a viable approach?
 
256 should be fine. The reason I asked is that I've seen this happen when Norton was installed on a system that did not have enough memory.
 
purchasing one of those USB cradles (which enables the externalization of CDRom & Hard Disk drives) might be a worthwhile bet. I am assuming that I should be able to format that particular drive after embedding it into that cradle unit, and marrying it to my computer.
Click to expand...

You could do that but of course your ultimate goal would be to instal XP or another os right? you would not want to do it this way. Have you priced floppy drives in your area? they should be pretty cheap. It does sound by what you've said that you are on the right track. You do however want to get that Windows CD to boot. Have you checked to make sure that it was set in the bios to boot from the CD?
 
Hi again, Blue ~

I just came back from buying that USB adapter cradle (haven't opened it yet, though), but gather - from your reply - that it would not serve the intended purpose. I had initially thought that formatting the concerned hard drive would, naturally, wipe out any malignant bugs therein - and render said drive capable of receiving an OS installation. I figured this because, at one point, I was able to get my WinXP Pro disk to be recognized. I arrived at the screen which offered the "Boot" option, and did select the "Boot From CD" choice. On the very next screen I was asked to press the 'F8' button to begin the procedure - but that button (nor any of the 'F' buttons would seem to activate). Whether it was fault with my keyboard, or not, is something that I don't know. What I do know is that I could not get back to that installation screen again. Let me make a quick run back to Walmart, refund this cradle and see if they happen to have a USB floppy that I can try.

Thanks Blue.
 
I really think you would be better off buying a replacement floppy drive to go into the computer as it would be so much cheaper. I'm aware of the screen you mention and I believe that it's the F8 key on my machine when the computer first comes on. Also the option in your bios can be set to automaticly look for the cd rom drive if it's not already but since you where at that screen as you said and it did not work then I would definatly go with the floppy drive idea but replace the one inside the computer as it would be much cheaper then any usb device you could purchase. Also the boot disk for windows XP if that's what you downloaded requires 6 disks just to give you a heads up.

And you are welcome :).
 
nor any of the 'F' buttons would seem to activate
Click to expand...

Also what is your keyboard? Mine wont work when the computer first boots unless I hit the F-Lock key as it's a multimedia keyboard with too many useless features.

I arrived at the screen which offered the "Boot" option, and did select the "Boot From CD"
Click to expand...

Just thought I'd comment here also. This menu which you mention sounds more like the options menu on the motherboard rather then the CD. If you hit say the F8 or some other key as soon as you power on your computer this menu that you mention will show but dont be fooled into thinking that the cd was actualy recognized at this stage. That is just one method in booting from certain drives. Just thought I'd mention this because if it's the menu I'm thinking of then your keyboard F-Keys would be working fine at this boot stage as you would have had to hit them to recieve this menu.
 
Hey Blue,

I've given up on this thing. I took that cradle adapter back and picked up the external USB floppy drive (before I read your last post). Previously, I had seen some references to multiple-disk boot sets, but ran across a few which stated the same operation with just ONE diskette. It was one of those that I downloaded, and attempted to use, but all was to no avail. My nephew has mentioned putting the PC in the shop, but I really felt bad that matters traveled the way that they did while "I" was dealing with it. He doesn't blame me in the least, but I carry it in to myself regardless. The situation is compounded by the fact that I hate to give up on anything. But it's time to let a more knowledgable head dive into this.

Despite the fact of my having to surrender, I want you to know that you were a very helpful person - and I appreciate your efforts. The same applies to all others who who were considerate enough to interject themselves for the purpose of trying to help me climb above this mess :) .
 
Unfortunatly though and this should have been mentioned much sooner as I think of this but for your purpose A usb device although would work with some systems would not with all for a boot device. I missed mentioning this somehow as my last 2 pc's where able to boot from usb devices but many are not. I do believe that if you had of installed a much cheaper floppy drive and made certain that It where set a the first boot device in the chain then you would have had no problems. Also I've used the 6 disk solution in the past and not tried the other that you mention so I cannot comment on this.

Well It was no trouble for myself and I'm sorry to hear that you've had no luck :(. Good luck with future pc adventures and I hope all works out well for your nephew.
 
so I tried to use my WinXP Pro disk - hoping that it would allow getting this thing going again.
Click to expand...
Did you set the boot process to check the CD first?

I don't know how to start it in "Safe Mode", nor how to go about entering the BIOS area (someone told me that I may be able to format it from there). I had thought that repeated pressings of the F3 key, at first display of Windows, would bring up that sought-for place, but it did not
Click to expand...
1. Read the screen at the beginning to see how to get to BIOS...usually DEL or F1
2. F8 for the Windows boot menu


If you open your case up , look for the battery. Next to the battery you will find a jumper that is linking 2 of the 3 jumper settings. If you move it to the other 2 for about 1 minute, then move it back to it's original position, that is what's called clearing the CMOS. after you do that it will usually take you to the BIOS and from that point, you can make adjustments to boot.
Click to expand...
Uh why does (s)he have to reset the CMOS?

I really think you would be better off buying a replacement floppy drive to go into the computer as it would be so much cheaper
Click to expand...
Or just try to boot off the XP CD :)
 
UPDATE.

I received a call, earlier, from my nephew, requesting me to call another family member who happened to have the very same model PC - and who had encountered some heavy problems with her's also. It turned out that her unit had exibited the exact problem as this one. She explained how she could not get past the screen which called for depression of the "F8" button. She put it in the shop, and found that the hard drive, and another component (I don't remember which), had to be replaced. Fortunately, she was spared better than $200 due to the fact that she was in the last month of her warranty period. All is still not well with her system, though, because she is not able to get online at all. Everything is set as it should be, but each attempt to log in only kicks her right back to the starting point. So, back to the shop it will have to go, as soon as she can afford it.

She also happened to be speaking with a young gentleman about her computer woes, and he grew quite interested in what she had to say. This young man had just (at that time) started a computer class, and on his very first day the instructor disclosed, to his charges, information on a very nasty virus called the "Blue Ocean Of Death". He (the Instructor) said, "Grab a hold of this nasty bug, and your computer's a done deal". Well, he sure must have known what he was talking about, because this PC is responding to absolutely nothing. My nephew only paid $40 for this PC & accompanying CRT monitor, and I first thought it was due to the fact that the monitor would not display. He'd hoped that it was nothing major, and learned that someone had, apparently, yanked at the monitor cable in attempts to detach it from the rear of the computer (not realising that it was secured by double screws). I can't be certain of this, but it's the only scenario that I could come up with, being that the rear connector would rock. We got the monitor to display properly by creating a light lift of the cable's end (where it connected to the PC) with duct tape. With a damaged floppy drive, a seemingly defective DVD drive, the display connector needing repair (as well as the main problem which first brought me here) - I kind of wonder if it would be worth it to shell out the required cash to fix these matters. In my way of thinking, such a cost could easily exceed the $300 mark, and this is something that definitely could not be met at this time. Even if he could meet that, saving up $300-$400 more could (I'm sure) get him a much better unit; something that I know he would be considerably happier with.
....................................................................................................................

You know, I will NEVER understand what it is that some people get out of sitting around and creating these cancerous programs to send out, and wreak total havoc on other people's systems. I mean, the victims are individuals that these destructors don't know - and will never ever meet. If I had such technological 'sharps' I would utilize it to - in some way - HELP the world; to better; to improve, rather than to apply my knowledgable hand toward the damage & destruction of something belonging to others - and the associated losses (which have been suffered in many areas) behind such acts. Truly a shame, indeed.
 
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