Dell Dimension 8200 won't run diskcheck; hangs in safemode; can't find chipset info--what to do?
My hubby's secretary's old Dell Dimension 8200 has slowed to an absolute crawl. It wasn't exactly speedy, but now it barely runs.
I discovered she's done no maintenance at all on it, (virus protection current and that's it) managed to clean it up--dumped cache/temp files, ran 2 spyware checkers, installed systemworks, defragged. It's now running, slightly better, but will not run any diskcheck utility, even when scheduled for a reboot.
A norton analysis through diskdoctor shows numerous index problems.
When I try to boot in safe mode, it hangs at agp440.sys
A microsoft support file suggested the safe mode problem, at least, might be due to the chipset drivers needing to be updated, but the dell support site doesn't include chipset drivers, nor any info on which chipset is in this system.
What would you experts do next?
I discovered she's done no maintenance at all on it, (virus protection current and that's it) managed to clean it up--dumped cache/temp files, ran 2 spyware checkers, installed systemworks, defragged. It's now running, slightly better, but will not run any diskcheck utility, even when scheduled for a reboot.
A norton analysis through diskdoctor shows numerous index problems.
When I try to boot in safe mode, it hangs at agp440.sys
A microsoft support file suggested the safe mode problem, at least, might be due to the chipset drivers needing to be updated, but the dell support site doesn't include chipset drivers, nor any info on which chipset is in this system.
What would you experts do next?
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
ASKER
Sorry--the split is fine with me.
The computer person the church engaged is dragging her heels on returning.
I'm convinced they need a reformat as the simplest solution, although any of the other intermediate steps might locate the problem.
I printed all of your excellent solutions and gave them to her.
sorry I can't provide the definitive on exactly what it takes to get it fixed.
Erin C-H
The computer person the church engaged is dragging her heels on returning.
I'm convinced they need a reformat as the simplest solution, although any of the other intermediate steps might locate the problem.
I printed all of your excellent solutions and gave them to her.
sorry I can't provide the definitive on exactly what it takes to get it fixed.
Erin C-H
ASKER
I didn't abandon intentionally...the church called in a computer person, who's been away. I think the solution is going to be a reformat; but I'm waiting to hear what she actually did