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I've had lots of computer problems and usually I have at least some idea of what it could be, but this is a 1st for me!

Yesterday, I was working in Paint Shop, not really having any problems (except once the program shut down all of a sudden and I had to restart it, but this has happened before!) then all of a sudden my screen went black, keyboard light went out, and optical mouse quit working. At first I didn't notice the keyboard and mouse (no activity) so I thought my monitor had gone out (although it's not that old!) So I checked all those connections, then I noticed the keyboard and mouse!

The computer is still on, looks like there's still hard drive activity, cd/dvd drives still seem to work, but computer just sitting here with no video, mouse or keyboard working.

Turned it off and on several times, no change. The really odd thing is my cable interenet connection modem lights stay on and show activity whether the computer is turned on or off. Usually when I shut the computer down, the activity light goes off on the cable modem!

What's happening here? Can someone tell me what I need to get this computer back working? I'm kinda thinking maybe it's the cpu!

Please help!

~Dee~

ETA - Obviously I'm posting this on another computer , I can't remember all the specs for the one I'm inquiring about, I built this one from scratch and I know it's 3.06 mhz with 1g memory, Socket 478 Intel cpu, Intel 865GVHZ Motherboard with 450 watt fan, ATI Radeon 9250 video card running Windows XP.

3.06 Mhz?Wow thats one crappy pc.Mine runs circles around it.Try doing the prework.Not graphical as keyboard should still work.Heres Prework link
Does it happen on any other programs? If its only paint shop try reinstalling it.

[quote]
3.06 Mhz?Wow thats one crappy pc.Mine runs circles around it.Try doing the prework.Not graphical as keyboard should still work.Heres Prework link
Does it happen on any other programs? If its only paint shop try reinstalling it
[/QUOTE

Actually that's a typo, it's 3.06GHz, but that's probably still crappy by your standards!!

This computer is more than 3 yrs. old and it has served me well so I really don't appreciate your comment! I came here for help, not to hear your comments on what you consider ****!

The link you give is not relevant to my issue. I'm well aware of all those things. I AM NOT a novice. I've been doing repairs on my own computer as well as other peoples for more than 10 yrs. now. I just never had this particular prob.

I know it's not a graphical problem! And I know it's not related to Paint Shop. I only mentioned that because that's what I was doing when this happened. Has nothing to do with programs - I believe it's a hardware issue, I just need to know if someone has had this issue and knows what I need to do before I start taking the computer apart and testing.

If anyone else has some helpful information, I would very much like to hear it.

Thanks for any help (real help that is)

~Dee~

Hi deelee4952.

You got a long job ahead of you to figure out what is wrong - unless you get lucky and stumble on it right away.

This should help:

Hardware and File System Test Procedures

File System Check and Repair:
Run aFile System check on the system partition/volume (usually C: )

In Explorer right-click on the drive letter and select:
Properties > Tools tab > Error Checking: Check now button
Check the box Automatically fix file system errors.
Click the Start button. A message may display about having to restart the PC to run the scan - agree to that and then restart.

If you can't boot into your account or any of the Safe Mode accounts from the F8 boot menu, BUT you have an XP Installation CD (not a Restore/Recovery CD) or a Recovery Console CD then you can boot off the CD to start the installation program. Choose to run the Recovery Console repair utility instead of doing an install by pressing R. From the Recovery Console command-line program you can issue the command:
> chkdsk C: /r /f
Which will repair any problems with the file system on C:

Using either method checks and repairs only the file system. Any corrupted files will remain corrupted and unusable.

How to obtain a Recovery Console Boot Disc to Make XP OS Repairs

The Recovery Console is normally available only if the user has an XP Installation CD, not a Repair CD or a Recovery CD. Microsoft does not offer one !! A little know MS article describes how to make one from the 6-diskette XP Boot diskettes that are available from MS. Others have figured out how to make this boot CD from an XP Installation CD.

You can easily get a self-booting Recovery Console CD from this:
Recovery Console Bootable CD .ISO File Image download
http://www.thecomputerparamedic.com/files/rc.iso

The download is a data image of a CD that is to be burned to a blank CD using a burning program such as Nero, Roxio or by any of these free programs:
CDBurnerXP A good general purpose CD & DVD burning program CDBurnerXP: Downloads

Active@ ISO Burner Just burns ISO image files Active@ ISO Burner. Data CD DVD burning software. Write ISO image to CD,DVD,CD-RW,CDR,DVD-RW.
ISOBurn Just burns ISO image files Burning Software from Dirk Paehl



Disk Drive Functionality Test (NOT a file system check):
Run a HDD test utility from your drive’s manufacturer to make sure the drive is functionally OK. Use the diagnostic according to what brand drive you have:

Seagate/Maxtor/Quantum Seagate Technology - Downloads
Western Digital (WDC) Downloads
Hitachi/IBM Support - Downloads and Utilities
Samsung SAMSUNG's Digital World - Hard Disk Drives | Utilities
Fujitsu Hard Drive Software Utilities : FUJITSU United States

The brand and model of the drive can be found by:
Control Panel > System > Hardware tab > Device Manager button.
Click the plus sign to the left of Disk drives. This will list all the hard disk drives detected by the OS.

If your PC won't boot into XP then to find the make and model of the hard drive you will need to open the case, possibly remove the drive and look at the label on the top of the drive.

Burning CD and DVD Image ISO Files

An ISO image file must be burned using a burning program that knows how to handle ISO image files. The MS built-in XP burning utility does not. You can use Nero, Roxio or the free CDBurnerXP:
CDBurnerXP CDBurnerXP: Downloads

You could instead use a program dedicated to burning just ISO files:
Active@ ISO Burner Active@ ISO Burner. Data CD DVD burning software. Write ISO image to CD,DVD,CD-RW,CDR,DVD-RW.

ISOBurn Burning Software from Dirk Paehl

If the system won't boot into XP then you will have to open the case, possibly remove the hard drive and read the make and model number from the label attached to the top of the drive.

If you know you have hooked up data and power cables to a drive but don't see it in the list this usually means that the drive is completely dead (It is "toast" – a door stop, a boat anchor, a paper weight). But, just to be sure, see if it shows up in the Disk Management utility:
Start > Run > diskmgmt {Enter}
This will show all hard drives and optical drives, even ones that sometimes will not show up in Windows Explorer.



RAM Test:
Download the Memtest86 CD ISO image file and burn it to a blank CD-R from:
Memtest86 Memtest86.com - Memory Diagnostic

Set your BIOS so that the computer tries to boot from the CD/DVD drive before trying to boot from the hard disk. Memtest86 will thoroughly test the RAM endlessly. Let it run for at least, say, 3 passes. No errors should be listed. If errors do show up and there is more than one RAM module, test each one individually until you can isolate the bad one.

Burning CD and DVD Image ISO Files

An ISO image file must be burned using a burning program that knows how to handle ISO image files. The MS built-in XP burning utility does not. You can use Nero, Roxio or the free CDBurnerXP:
CDBurnerXP CDBurnerXP: Downloads

You could instead use a program dedicated to burning just ISO files:
Active@ ISO Burner Active@ ISO Burner. Data CD DVD burning software. Write ISO image to CD,DVD,CD-RW,CDR,DVD-RW.

ISOBurn Burning Software from Dirk Paehl



Power Supply Outputs Test:
Check the power supply's major outputs with either SpeedFan and/or Everest Home (both free and excellent):

SpeedFan Download SpeedFan - Access temperature sensor in your computer
Everest Home 2.2 |MG| EVEREST Free Edition 2.20

The +3.3V, +5V and +12V should be within +/-5% of their nominal values.

3V 3.135V to 3.465
5V 4.750V to 5.25V
12V 11.400V to 12.60V

In Speed Fan look in the Readings tab. In Everest look in Computer > Sensor.



CPU Temperature Test:
In Everest Home 2.2 and/or SpeedFan look in Computer > Sensor or the Readings tab, respectively. The CPU temp should never be over 50 degrees Celsius. Overheating can happen as the result of a failing CPU fan (aka "cooler" fan) or excessive dust buildup there. It can also be due to an improperly mounted cooler (heatsink+fan) assembly.

SpeedFan Download SpeedFan - Access temperature sensor in your computer
Everest Home 2.2 |MG| EVEREST Free Edition 2.20


These tests will go a long way to confirm whether or not your PC is in good shape. Remember that any corrupted files will remain corrupted until reinstalled.



Electronic receipts:
I buy all computer components and software on the web. Shortly after the purchase the seller emails a receipt to me. I then "print" the email message using a free print driver called CutePDF that converts anything printable into a PDF file. I then store the electronic receipt in a separate web purchases receipt folder. This way I will always be able to take advantage of "lifetime warranties" in addition to finite-lived warrantees. Besides, I will always have a record of what I bought and when.

When returning a failed component under warranty, I print out the PDF file to a hard copy and send that back to the manufacturer along with the RMA code (Returned Merchandise Authorization) number supplied by the manufacturer along the component, itself. I get a free replacement for the cost of one-way shipping. The manufacturer pays for delivery of the new part to me.

CutePDF Writer CutePDF - Create PDF for free, Free PDF Utilities, Save PDF Forms, Edit PDF easily.

Sorry, I know you're trying to be helpful and I do appreciate it but, it seems you all are failing to see that I can't do anything on this computer!!

I am posting from ANOTHER computer, NOT the one I'm inquiring about.

Maybe I'm posting in the wrong forum! I just noticed that this is a Software Issue forum. I didn't see the other forum for hardware, but now I do. Should I repost over there or can a mod just move it?

Sorry for the confusion - I'm a little frustrated right now!

~Dee~

Exactly.

Burn the diagnostic test CDs on the working computer. Load them into the hoarked PC's CD drive and the PC will boot off of them and run the tests.

Try to use a different graphics card.Do you have a spare?If so switch out your current one with it.And By the way i knew it was a typo.But try a different Graphics card.Or if that pc has a removable card put it on a working computer.If it doesnt work there its the card.