Desktop can't find OS - blank screen staring at me
I have an IBM NetVista, it's about 3 years old. About 2 years ago, it couldn't locate the OS (Windows XP Pro), and as I recall, there were messages on a black screen telling me it lost its mind.
I replaced the hard drive but was able keep the original master, it's now just slave drive and that's ok.
But, every so often in the last six months, the computer won't turn on. It doesn't even try to load.
What happens is that there is an IBM screen, indicating the computer, then the cursor goes to the top left of the screen and just blinks. No messages, nothing.
Each time I have been able to "fix it", but all I do is open up the case, vacuum, then push on everything to seat it. Again today it happened. After vacuuming and re-seating everything (although everything was already seated), it started on the third try - and is now working fine.
I had downloaded three updates from MS and re-booted, but that doesn't seem like the issue, imho.
What do you think? Anything I can do to diagnose this? And to prevent a total failure? I do have most data backed up.
Thanks.
I replaced the hard drive but was able keep the original master, it's now just slave drive and that's ok.
But, every so often in the last six months, the computer won't turn on. It doesn't even try to load.
What happens is that there is an IBM screen, indicating the computer, then the cursor goes to the top left of the screen and just blinks. No messages, nothing.
Each time I have been able to "fix it", but all I do is open up the case, vacuum, then push on everything to seat it. Again today it happened. After vacuuming and re-seating everything (although everything was already seated), it started on the third try - and is now working fine.
I had downloaded three updates from MS and re-booted, but that doesn't seem like the issue, imho.
What do you think? Anything I can do to diagnose this? And to prevent a total failure? I do have most data backed up.
Thanks.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
If you had these problems before you tried to replace the hard drive, than it is probably the older drive.
For the most part, when a hard drive fails, it just goes dead. It is easy to diagnose. Sometimes however, they just start acting funny, and working sporadically. If remove the old drive from your PC fixes your problem, get your data off of it as soon as possible. You can most definetly do that with an External Case or IDE to USB converter.
For the most part, when a hard drive fails, it just goes dead. It is easy to diagnose. Sometimes however, they just start acting funny, and working sporadically. If remove the old drive from your PC fixes your problem, get your data off of it as soon as possible. You can most definetly do that with an External Case or IDE to USB converter.
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
BamBam - thanks again, I will get the old drive out of there ASAP.
nobus - thank you too, I will do the housecleaning you recommend.
lauchangkwang - ok, I'm going to remove the old HD and hopefully that will do the trick. >>Does it totally in Black or you still able to see the cursor blinks (just like "hang" on it) ...???<<
- all black except the cursor blinking white on top left
nobus - thank you too, I will do the housecleaning you recommend.
lauchangkwang - ok, I'm going to remove the old HD and hopefully that will do the trick. >>Does it totally in Black or you still able to see the cursor blinks (just like "hang" on it) ...???<<
- all black except the cursor blinking white on top left
>> - all black except the cursor blinking white on top left
Do you able to move the cursor ??
Do you able to move the cursor ??
ASKER
>>Do you able to move the cursor ??
No - - - it looked dead so I didn't even touch it. If it happens again, what should I try to do?
It's working now so I can't really replicate it. My next step is to remove the old original HD and just case it. From what everyone is saying, that should do the trick.
No - - - it looked dead so I didn't even touch it. If it happens again, what should I try to do?
It's working now so I can't really replicate it. My next step is to remove the old original HD and just case it. From what everyone is saying, that should do the trick.
ASKER
thanks for the tips, just the kind of advice I was hoping to get.
ASKER
I will try and get rid of the old drive from the machine. Then I can set it up as an external drive via a case / USB. Does that sound right.
it sounds like my new Master is ok but the machine itself gets confused about where to boot from - meaning I don't need to worry so much that my new Master is bad (???)