well my computer is toast
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Post *****
Joined: May 13, 2004
Posts: 18,616
Likes: 3
From: Berkeley/Redwood City, CA
well my computer is toast
So a few days ago, I went to go finish watching an episode of simpsons that I had paused and left open on my computer. I pretty regularly leave my computer on for days at a time, so i didnt expect any sort of anomalies. I came back (booted in Ubuntu, linux, btw) to see the screen scrambled up and random pixels all over the **** place. Turned it off, waited for the ol gal to cool off and tried again. first of all, the "Dell" screen with the blue logo and black background now has blue and white pixels evenly distributed throughout the background. but it seems to function. I can get to the next screen, which is where i choose Ubuntu or Vista to boot.. Ubuntu, when it boots, has all these green pixels in the background when its the black loading screen with the ubuntu logo on it. Then it just goes black. Computer is on and running, just black
Next I tried booting vista. Again, there are random *** pixels everywhere that there shouldnt be. Right when normally, the login screen would open, it goes directly to the dreaded blue screen o' death. I'm booted in safe mode right now. I tried a system restore, but when i hit "next" after selecting C: it says that the hard disk has errors and prompts to repair them. Naturally i hit "yes i want to fix the freaking hard disk" only to find out that it wont let me because the hard disk is in use. I am now prompted to "schedule" a repair. The computer promises me that it will check and repair the HD before startup next time. I tried again only to go back directly to the blue screen.
Anyone know how to fix any of this? or am i just SOL
Thanks everyone
Next I tried booting vista. Again, there are random *** pixels everywhere that there shouldnt be. Right when normally, the login screen would open, it goes directly to the dreaded blue screen o' death. I'm booted in safe mode right now. I tried a system restore, but when i hit "next" after selecting C: it says that the hard disk has errors and prompts to repair them. Naturally i hit "yes i want to fix the freaking hard disk" only to find out that it wont let me because the hard disk is in use. I am now prompted to "schedule" a repair. The computer promises me that it will check and repair the HD before startup next time. I tried again only to go back directly to the blue screen.
Anyone know how to fix any of this? or am i just SOL
Thanks everyone
Thread Starter
Post *****
Joined: May 13, 2004
Posts: 18,616
Likes: 3
From: Berkeley/Redwood City, CA
My computer knowledge is fairly limited. I dont think I'd be able to identify one if i saw it. Also, this is in a Dell XPS Laptop, so i dont even know how easily accessible the video card is, if at all
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: February 2, 2004
Posts: 7,648
Likes: 675
From: Insane
Which model, Arin? That may help me help ya.
Generic info, Windows style, dunno Linux too much...
Typically, the BSOD error has the word STOP. Then a weird description of the problem like 'IRQ_LESS_THAN_OR_EQUAL" or some such. Then the good meaty bits of the first real descriptor of the problem, which should look similar to this:
0x0000007B (0xC0000005, 0x00000000, 0x0043c0d0, 0x3f7a9b22)
That is the best info you could post, that first and second 0x?? stuff, along with the weird "IRQ_LESS.." info.
---
Having said that, based on the Laptop... the XPS is a mighty computer, but there're different versions, which is why I want the model number. XPS M1330, M2010, 13, all are possible, and one, the M2010, isn't made any more.. the beast that it was... I wanted it sooo bad... but it had an ATI video card.
It may be possible to replace the video card. That's probably what's toast in it. In many laptops the video card is a function of the motherboard and main memory, but the XPS models may have a separate, discrete card that can be swapped out. Given the description, that is the most likely answer: the video card is shot.
However, if it's an integrated video system, then the memory itself may be all that's bad, causing the video to go wonky, and perhaps even causing the BSOD. Hence, I need to know the model number so I can verify what it is.
Do you have the Ubuntu distro CD? You can use it to perform a Memtest86+ and see if the memory is bad... Again, if it's integrated video, that's what's probably causing the problem.
Although I'm pretty sure all XPSs are discreet video systems...
Lemme know!
Generic info, Windows style, dunno Linux too much...
Typically, the BSOD error has the word STOP. Then a weird description of the problem like 'IRQ_LESS_THAN_OR_EQUAL" or some such. Then the good meaty bits of the first real descriptor of the problem, which should look similar to this:
0x0000007B (0xC0000005, 0x00000000, 0x0043c0d0, 0x3f7a9b22)
That is the best info you could post, that first and second 0x?? stuff, along with the weird "IRQ_LESS.." info.
---
Having said that, based on the Laptop... the XPS is a mighty computer, but there're different versions, which is why I want the model number. XPS M1330, M2010, 13, all are possible, and one, the M2010, isn't made any more.. the beast that it was... I wanted it sooo bad... but it had an ATI video card.
It may be possible to replace the video card. That's probably what's toast in it. In many laptops the video card is a function of the motherboard and main memory, but the XPS models may have a separate, discrete card that can be swapped out. Given the description, that is the most likely answer: the video card is shot.
However, if it's an integrated video system, then the memory itself may be all that's bad, causing the video to go wonky, and perhaps even causing the BSOD. Hence, I need to know the model number so I can verify what it is.
Do you have the Ubuntu distro CD? You can use it to perform a Memtest86+ and see if the memory is bad... Again, if it's integrated video, that's what's probably causing the problem.
Although I'm pretty sure all XPSs are discreet video systems...
Lemme know!
Last edited by houtex; Feb 5, 2010 at 08:16 PM.
Thread Starter
Post *****
Joined: May 13, 2004
Posts: 18,616
Likes: 3
From: Berkeley/Redwood City, CA
Its a Dell XPS M1710 that we bought in 07. But... strangely enough
I booted it up today, windows at least, and there were no random pixels... no blue screen o doom.. it just worked
Yeah I dont understand it either but I'm not complaining. if anything happens again, I'll be sure to post again.
I booted it up today, windows at least, and there were no random pixels... no blue screen o doom.. it just worked
Yeah I dont understand it either but I'm not complaining. if anything happens again, I'll be sure to post again.
Legacy TMS Member
Joined: February 2, 2004
Posts: 7,648
Likes: 675
From: Insane
Heat issue then. Check all your vents out, make sure they're clean. blow a can of air into the vents in 'reverse'. to dislodge any crap in the heatsinks.
Could also be an intermittent fan issue. Do you hear them running? Go get Memtest and run it. That's not the same as Memtest86+, Memtest is a Windows memory tester: http://majorgeeks.com/MemTest_d350.html
It will not only test your memory, but max out the CPU. Run two of them set at about 250MB so that both CPU cores get hit.
Even the 'outside' temperatures could affect it. These circuits, as small as they are, are like a long sidewalk without the intentional breaks in them for expansion/contraction... and so if they flex too much, they can disconnect, or reconnect. It can be madding...
Good to hear it's up again, though. Now get back to work on the II.
Could also be an intermittent fan issue. Do you hear them running? Go get Memtest and run it. That's not the same as Memtest86+, Memtest is a Windows memory tester: http://majorgeeks.com/MemTest_d350.html
It will not only test your memory, but max out the CPU. Run two of them set at about 250MB so that both CPU cores get hit.
Even the 'outside' temperatures could affect it. These circuits, as small as they are, are like a long sidewalk without the intentional breaks in them for expansion/contraction... and so if they flex too much, they can disconnect, or reconnect. It can be madding...
Good to hear it's up again, though. Now get back to work on the II.
Thread Starter
Post *****
Joined: May 13, 2004
Posts: 18,616
Likes: 3
From: Berkeley/Redwood City, CA
The laptop has had overheating problems for years. I remember not long after I bought it, the right side fan just plain wouldnt run. I'd hear the left one going at full blast but nothing ffrom the right and it would die frequently. Its died twice in the last two days actually. when its on, the fan stays off for a little while, until I try watching a youtube video or go to a site that takes forever to load. THEN the fan goes on full blast and never turns off.
We've actually gone out and bought a new computer for me to do my schoolwork on today. My old XPS, once I'm able, will be wiped clean, given nothing but ubuntu and be used as my torrent/media laptop while the new Asus will be designated photoshop/illustrator/gaming duty.
We've actually gone out and bought a new computer for me to do my schoolwork on today. My old XPS, once I'm able, will be wiped clean, given nothing but ubuntu and be used as my torrent/media laptop while the new Asus will be designated photoshop/illustrator/gaming duty.
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