All your PC problems, Volume 2

redmanc · 26th October 2007, 09:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Dreams

my pc is running XP.....I want to increase my Drive C size from 15GB to say 25GB... any suggestions how to do this?

And if you cant find a copy anywhere, download the Knoppix live CD, burn it to disc and boot up from it, go to a terminal window from the system menu i think, type in command qtparted and follow the instructions!

www.knoppix.org for the cd!

Red Dreams · 26th October 2007, 14:06

thanks fellas...first I will try and delete some programs I am not using...

Justin · 26th October 2007, 22:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Dreams

thanks fellas...first I will try and delete some programs I am not using...

You might as well use ccleaner to clean out your drive as well.

manxmanc · 27th October 2007, 11:11

My laptop is running really slow and its starting to piss me off...

Its got 1.60GHz processor with 2X266MB/Mo for Ram with a 80gb(split into two 40GB) hard drive.

What would be the best way to increase the speed of it?

Or am I better off saving for a new laptop? This could take a long time tho..

Youngie · 27th October 2007, 21:37

Booting problem
Everytime I start my laptop I get a little blue square with the following Boot device options

( ) Hard disc C
( ) CD ROM/DVD
(. ) Diskette A
( ) Pxe LAN

None of the options work so I have to continually press F8 and go back to 'last successful boot' . Can any of you clever bods offer any advice? (taking into account I'm a bit of a 'puter retard!)
Thanks in advance.

BezsMaracas · 27th October 2007, 21:39

Sounds like the boot-sector is fucked, its fixable. Would see if anyone else has any other ideas before you start trying to fix it though.

Youngie · 28th October 2007, 01:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by BezsMaracas

Sounds like the boot-sector is fucked, its fixable. Would see if anyone else has any other ideas before you start trying to fix it though.

mmm.. I like that word fixable. Anyone have an idiot proof step by step guide???

golden_blunder · 28th October 2007, 11:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Youngie

mmm.. I like that word fixable. Anyone have an idiot proof step by step guide???

There is no idiot proof guides to fixing boot sector problems step by step, take it in to someone who knows what they're doing.

Btw, it may be the boot sector but it may be a BIOS problem or more likely that your hard drive is on its way out

has it been making any clicking sounds?

golden_blunder · 28th October 2007, 11:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by manxmanc

My laptop is running really slow and its starting to piss me off...

Its got 1.60GHz processor with 2X266MB/Mo for Ram with a 80gb(split into two 40GB) hard drive.

What would be the best way to increase the speed of it?

Or am I better off saving for a new laptop? This could take a long time tho..

There are hundreds if not thousands of viable reasons why your laptop may be running slowly. Give us some more detail of when it happens etc, when it first started, otherwise we can only give you generic advice

ZIDANE · 28th October 2007, 14:43

Think about giving it a clean - and I don't mean wipe the screen.

Make sure there aren't any viruses / spyware and all that stuff.

If it really is pissing you off and you have the majority of the software and data backed up you could always do a fresh install of windows - that will probably help you speed it up.

Also I take it you are running XP or something on that laptop and not the new Vista!

Youngie · 28th October 2007, 17:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Youngie

Booting problem
Everytime I start my laptop I get a little blue square with the following Boot device options

( ) Hard disc C
( ) CD ROM/DVD
(. ) Diskette A
( ) Pxe LAN

None of the options work so I have to continually press F8 and go back to 'last successful boot' . Can any of you clever bods offer any advice? (taking into account I'm a bit of a 'puter retard!)
I think the problem is to do with the 'primary master' which when it does occasionally boot properly says Toshiba(random numbers &letters) the problem arrises when it says 'Primary master' disabled!!
How can I enable it to say Toshiba(random numbersetc) ???

Thanks in advance!!

RedNome · 28th October 2007, 17:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by manxmanc

My laptop is running really slow and its starting to piss me off...

Its got 1.60GHz processor with 2X266MB/Mo for Ram with a 80gb(split into two 40GB) hard drive.

What would be the best way to increase the speed of it?

Or am I better off saving for a new laptop? This could take a long time tho..

Every four to six months or so I will do a complete wipe and reinstal, as over time as things are installed and uninstalled and things downloaded and picked up from internet use, your system will inevitably get clogged and slow down.

This would be my advice, if you can't do it yourself I'm sure someone you know will be able to.

golden_blunder · 28th October 2007, 17:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Youngie

Thanks in advance!!

see above!

Youngie · 28th October 2007, 18:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by golden_blunder

see above!

I saw your original post Geebs..just thought the extra bit of info I lazily inserted into my first post might make the problem (and maybe solution) clearer.

golden_blunder · 28th October 2007, 18:44

have you tried resetting the BIOS defaults by the way?

edit: which becomes even more apt now that ive read your amendments

Youngie · 28th October 2007, 19:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by golden_blunder

have you tried resetting the BIOS defaults by the way?

edit: which becomes even more apt now that ive read your amendments

Is there an easy way of doing that?
I'm on an ancient 'Time' Laptop Windows XP by the way.

golden_blunder · 28th October 2007, 21:44

press F1, F2 or DEL when its starting up. One of those keys should take you into the BIOS. Then look for an option to reset BIOS defaults

jonnymee23 · 1st November 2007, 20:16

Small problem but wouldnt mind it being fixed. I have American keyboard settings so some of the buttons are different on the keyboard. e.g. " and @ have both switched places when I press their buttons, there is no pount symbol available because it has been replaced by #.

Is there anything I can do or any settings I can change to fix this problem and change it to UK keyboard settings?

ZIDANE · 1st November 2007, 20:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by jonnymee23

Small problem but wouldnt mind it being fixed. I have American keyboard settings so some of the buttons are different on the keyboard. e.g. " and @ have both switched places when I press their buttons, there is no pount symbol available because it has been replaced by #.

Is there anything I can do or any settings I can change to fix this problem and change it to UK keyboard settings?

Go to your control panel - can be accessed from the start menu or my computer

Browse down for Regional and Language Options

The settings should be in there - the keyboard settings will be in the languages tab at the top and then click on details..

This is going off Windows XP yeah...

ThaBigBoss · 5th November 2007, 19:48

I have been on a forum, and apparently this graphics card is great value for money at £47.

Xpertvision 256MB GeForce 8600GT TV/2XDVI PCI-E
by XpertVision
No customer reviews yet. Be the first. More about this product
Price: £47.28 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions

Availability: In stock. Dispatched from and sold by Amazon.co.uk.

Want guaranteed delivery by 1pm Wednesday, November 7?
Order it in the next 22 hours and 18 minutes, and choose Express delivery at checkout.
See Details

2 used & new available from £47.28

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Xpertvision-...1429906&sr=8-1

But does anyone know how good it really is? Is it good enough to play high spec games?

And how easy is it to install a new graphics card? Or how much ruffly would it cost to get a computer shop to do it for me

And would it work in a laptop?

Cheers.

skillz · 5th November 2007, 19:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThaBigBoss

I have been on a forum, and apparently this graphics card is great value for money at £47.

Xpertvision 256MB GeForce 8600GT TV/2XDVI PCI-E
by XpertVision
No customer reviews yet. Be the first. More about this product
Price: £47.28 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions

Availability: In stock. Dispatched from and sold by Amazon.co.uk.

Want guaranteed delivery by 1pm Wednesday, November 7?
Order it in the next 22 hours and 18 minutes, and choose Express delivery at checkout.
See Details

2 used & new available from £47.28

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Xpertvision-...1429906&sr=8-1

But does anyone know how good it really is? Is it good enough to play high spec games?

And how easy is it to install a new graphics card? Or how much ruffly would it cost to get a computer shop to do it for me

And would it work in a laptop?

Cheers.

To give you an honest answer it probably may depend more on what processor etc. you have. That card should run most games smoothly at 800x600, average/middle graphics quality settings.

Its relatively easy to change the graphics card, just follow the instructions that came with you case/PC to get it open, remove any power connectors connected to the graphics card, and pop the card out. (I cant remember if you need to chk for latches etc with PCI Express). But is should be straight forward

ThaBigBoss · 5th November 2007, 19:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by skillz

To give you an honest answer it probably may depend more on what processor etc. you have. That card should run most games smoothly at 800x600, average/middle graphics quality settings.

Its relatively easy to change the graphics card, just follow the instructions that came with you case/PC to get it open, remove any power connectors connected to the graphics card, and pop the card out. (I cant remember if you need to chk for latches etc with PCI Express). But is should be straight forward

1.8 Core2Duo 2gb Ram

VidaRed · 5th November 2007, 22:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by manxmanc

My laptop is running really slow and its starting to piss me off...

Its got 1.60GHz processor with 2X266MB/Mo for Ram with a 80gb(split into two 40GB) hard drive.

What would be the best way to increase the speed of it?

Or am I better off saving for a new laptop? This could take a long time tho..

increase ram to alteast 1GB

skillz · 5th November 2007, 23:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThaBigBoss

1.8 Core2Duo 2gb Ram

Well you've Got enough power there to run most games smoothly.

http://www.guru3d.com/article/Videocards/426/

Its a Review of the Cards you were talking about. I have used XFX cards a few time in builds I have done and can recommend them. I dont really know much about XpertVision. Overall the performance by diff brands should not vary that much, its just build quality, fine tuning and ability to overclock that varies.

Livvie · 7th November 2007, 20:48

Why is it that when I try to look at YouTube, it loads about one minute, and that's all.

Youngie · 7th November 2007, 21:07

Regards boot devices.
How do I enable my ide primary in the bios set up??

Stanley Road · 9th November 2007, 17:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Livvie

Why is it that when I try to look at YouTube, it loads about one minute, and that's all.

I have that with some proxies i use at work, i think they see streaming and just quit if they're busy

I tend to download the file these days using keepv.com or summink similar

VidaRed · 9th November 2007, 19:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Youngie

Regards boot devices.
How do I enable my ide primary in the bios set up??

press F4 when starting and select bios settings and choose the booting sequence

27th October 2007, 21:37	#325 (permalink)
Youngie Reserve Team Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: "Ach..away and print yer Shite!" Posts: 2,792	Booting problem Everytime I start my laptop I get a little blue square with the following Boot device options ( ) Hard disc C ( ) CD ROM/DVD (. ) Diskette A ( ) Pxe LAN None of the options work so I have to continually press F8 and go back to 'last successful boot' . Can any of you clever bods offer any advice? (taking into account I'm a bit of a 'puter retard!) Thanks in advance.

26th October 2007, 14:06	#322 (permalink)
Red Dreams First Team Regular Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Thunder Road to Old Trafford Posts: 10,562	thanks fellas...first I will try and delete some programs I am not using...

27th October 2007, 11:11	#324 (permalink)
manxmanc Reserve Team Player Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: IOM Posts: 4,276	My laptop is running really slow and its starting to piss me off... Its got 1.60GHz processor with 2X266MB/Mo for Ram with a 80gb(split into two 40GB) hard drive. What would be the best way to increase the speed of it? Or am I better off saving for a new laptop? This could take a long time tho..

27th October 2007, 21:39	#326 (permalink)
BezsMaracas Reserve Team Player Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Stalyvegas Posts: 4,013	Sounds like the boot-sector is fucked, its fixable. Would see if anyone else has any other ideas before you start trying to fix it though.

28th October 2007, 14:43	#330 (permalink)
ZIDANE Reserve Team Player Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: "..undoubtedly the best midfielder of his generation." Zizou on Scholes Posts: 4,871	Think about giving it a clean - and I don't mean wipe the screen. Make sure there aren't any viruses / spyware and all that stuff. If it really is pissing you off and you have the majority of the software and data backed up you could always do a fresh install of windows - that will probably help you speed it up. Also I take it you are running XP or something on that laptop and not the new Vista!

28th October 2007, 18:44	#335 (permalink)
golden_blunder Manager Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Swimming against a tide of shite Posts: 44,394	have you tried resetting the BIOS defaults by the way? edit: which becomes even more apt now that ive read your amendments

28th October 2007, 21:44	#337 (permalink)
golden_blunder Manager Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Swimming against a tide of shite Posts: 44,394	press F1, F2 or DEL when its starting up. One of those keys should take you into the BIOS. Then look for an option to reset BIOS defaults

1st November 2007, 20:16	#338 (permalink)
jonnymee23 Reserve Team Player Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 693	Small problem but wouldnt mind it being fixed. I have American keyboard settings so some of the buttons are different on the keyboard. e.g. " and @ have both switched places when I press their buttons, there is no pount symbol available because it has been replaced by #. Is there anything I can do or any settings I can change to fix this problem and change it to UK keyboard settings?

5th November 2007, 19:48	#340 (permalink)
ThaBigBoss Banned Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: City Centre Posts: 778	I have been on a forum, and apparently this graphics card is great value for money at £47. Xpertvision 256MB GeForce 8600GT TV/2XDVI PCI-E by XpertVision No customer reviews yet. Be the first. More about this product Price: £47.28 & this item Delivered FREE in the UK with Super Saver Delivery. See details and conditions Availability: In stock. Dispatched from and sold by Amazon.co.uk. Want guaranteed delivery by 1pm Wednesday, November 7? Order it in the next 22 hours and 18 minutes, and choose Express delivery at checkout. See Details 2 used & new available from £47.28 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Xpertvision-...1429906&sr=8-1 But does anyone know how good it really is? Is it good enough to play high spec games? And how easy is it to install a new graphics card? Or how much ruffly would it cost to get a computer shop to do it for me And would it work in a laptop? Cheers.

7th November 2007, 20:48	#345 (permalink)
Livvie Executive Manager being kept sane only by her madness Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: Someone said that half of Caf members were thick. It's not true. Half of you aren't thick at all. Posts: 27,715	Why is it that when I try to look at YouTube, it loads about one minute, and that's all.

7th November 2007, 21:07	#346 (permalink)
Youngie Reserve Team Player Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: "Ach..away and print yer Shite!" Posts: 2,792	Regards boot devices. How do I enable my ide primary in the bios set up??