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Computer problem.....need some help!

SLIDER-in-KY
Yesterday, I downloaded Macromedia Shockwave. Today, when I tried to start the computer, it sounds like it boots up fine, but there is nothing on the screen.....totally blank. I restarted in Safe Mode, and the screen works, but I can't figure out how to fix the problem. While I was in Safe Mode, I did a system restore to a date two weeks ago and that still didn't work. Then, I deleted all the shockwave files I could find, but still no screen. I'm using a Dell Inspiron 8500, Windows XP. Any ideas?????????
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38 comments

Date Votes
  • shoff14
    Sometimes you get started down the wrong path by what you think is bad software. It seems like there are a lot of these little coincidences of loading software and then the next day nothing works. "You shreak! OMG you mfs why are you a pos and screw my computer up" But in reality, it sounds like you have been hit square in the hardware.

    I think your power supply has taken a poop, DELL power supplies are worse then the devil. They are also proprietary, making them 100 times worse then the devil. Unplug everything except for the mother board and hard drive from the power supply and see if it boots up. Listen for the hard drive to boot up, make sure the motherboard at least kicks on. Things like that. If nothing happens, call around to computer fixers in your area to see if they have a dell power supply to try. This is almost the only way that you can check it. DO NOT, ABSOLUTELY DO NOT TRY A POWER SUPPLY FROM ANOTHER MANUFACTURER.
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  • IAMAHUSKER
    This is a Dell laptop and the power supply is external. He has power so that is not the problem. I am afraid that those system restores has lead to the freeze in safe mode. Sounds like you will need to go through what Microsoft calls an OS repair or a complete reinstall. Either one will not delete your current files and only deals with (mainly) the windows directory. You will need your windows cd that came with the machine from Dell.
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  • IAMAHUSKER
    I can walk you through it but, it would be best if you had an Instant Messenger program such as Yahoo Messenger or something similar that we could communicate instantly with. Let me know.
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  • mutter
    There is no such thing as an OS repair. You can try it but it does not work.

    There is no big whoopdy do to installing windows. If you want to save files then insert the cd and turn the machine on. Accept the agreement. Install on current partition but NOT over current install. type in a new directory name. I use "WIN" myself. when its done you can pull out the files you need and then reinstall win again but this time delete current partition. You'll want to do this to keep your machine smoother, fix any bad spots on the HD, and clean up the FAT table.

    Being a DELL I'd reccommend this any ways to get rid of the retailer BS trial software they install.
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  • shoff14
    I take no responsibility for what I said above. [:D]
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  • IAMAHUSKER
    During setup after booting to the CD there a choice to do a repair on the current install. It is right after it does a search looking for a currently installed OS. I have done it several times and saved quite a bit of time reinstalling software. Your right it is no big deal to do a reinstall. Its really easy for someone who has done it just about everyday for the last 13 years. Not so for those who have never done it before. There also no choice to use the FAT file system in windows XP. You only have two choices and those are FAT32 or NTFS. I do clean installs also but he might use some of the software that came with the machine. Installing to a different directory essentially renders all of it useless although, it will not delete anything, you will have created a lot of worthless data. Only because it will all have to be reinstalled from the original location, normally one of the program CD's that is shipped with the machine.
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  • IAMAHUSKER
    I was mistaken on one thing. FAT is available for partition no larger then 2GB and anything larger XP will automatically use FAT32. The average install for windows XP will range from 1.5GB to 2.0GB so, you could not use FAT with a XP install. XP can read FAT though. Most harddrives are 40-50gb or larger for laptops.
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  • SLIDER-in-KY
    IAMAHUSKER....I just sent you an e-mail. [;)]
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