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laptop suddenly does not run after msconfig adjustment and reboot

Discussion in 'Windows XP' started by no idea, 2009/05/23.

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  1. 2009/05/23
    no idea

    no idea Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    During the last couple of days, I have been unable to scan documents to my laptop from the HP C5180 all-in-one hooked up to it. Then yesterday it would not print a pdf from a trusted website. After trying to scan a photo, I started troubleshooting with the winxp control panel "printers and faxes" menu. (Sorry if I don't use the exact right terms.) The printer's status was listed as "offline ". One of the suggestions was to get another printer driver from the printer installation CD, so I did that. It seemed to be OK.

    It all happened so fast after that I didn't have any warning to write down any error messages. I actually didn't think there WAS an error message; the dialog box said said to restart the computer. I did and there was no change - the printer was still listed as offline and I could not scan.

    A couple of weeks ago, Evan Omo helped me here at Windowsbbs with an "unhandled exception" error message that included some instructions about JIT debugger, as well as a reference to installing something called "photogallery ". I had downloaded and paid for Regcure; it had helped at first and then stopped helping. Long story short, I tried an "msconfig disable all" instruction for my start-up items, got rid of Regcure and Norton 360, and downloaded AVG, Spybot S&D and Spyware Blaster. And the problem went away.

    I returned to MS config and enabled the two start up items that referenced HP. Then tried to restart the computer. (This is where it gets a little fuzzy.) I got a box that said I had to restart the computer in "Normal Mode ". There was a box at the top that said "Normal" and my green checkmark was in the box at the bottom (of three choices) that said something else... "Special "? I just cannot remember. This was at 1:30 in the morning, so I was a little groggy.

    I clicked on the Normal box, restarted the computer, and from that moment, it didn't work at all. Black screen; doesn't make a sound except for the whirring of the CD drive. I'm devastated. I really need to get into that other machine. The laptop I'm using now to write this is mostly for internet use; also it is an Acer with Vista installed.

    Thank you for any help or suggestions you might be able to give me. If there is anything I have left out please let me know and I will try to fill in the gaps.

    Jeni (no idea)
     
    no idea,
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  2. 2009/05/23
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

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    When you power up computer, there is nothing on the screen from the very start?
     
    broni,
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  4. 2009/05/24
    no idea

    no idea Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Correct, it is completely black. No blinking cursor, no list of options, NOTHING. The screen is as if it is turned off. But the green light is on around the power button. The blinking/flashing lights (green and yellow) that show whether the machine is online are not flashing either. The three green ones are on steady, but the two flashing yellow ones are dark.

    Also, if it is of consequence, this laptop was purchased in August of 2005, and has been running almost non-stop ever since. It has never done this particular thing before.
     
    Last edited: 2009/05/24
    no idea,
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  5. 2009/05/24
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

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    When you turn it on, can you hear fans/hard drive spinning?
     
    broni,
    #4
  6. 2009/05/24
    no idea

    no idea Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Yes, I can hear that. The familiar sounds of fans, the small catch of the drive. It only lasts for about 10 seconds, though; then, they get much quieter than they would customarily be and I can only hear them when I put my ear next to the machine. There is a lot of peripheral noise today, as well (lawnmowers, other motors and sprinklers outside, the washer and dryer in the house, the occasional sump pump in the basement, the fans of the operational laptop, too.)
     
    no idea,
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  7. 2009/05/24
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Every chance that you have a hardware problem, maybe the hard drive.

    I suggest you run the disk diagnostic software provided by the drive manufacturer ....

    Disk Diagnostic Software ....

    ExcelStore

    Hitachi/IBM

    Samsung

    Seagate, Maxtor, Quantum

    Western Digital

    I doubt you know the make of the drive so you may need to look in the user manual or refer to the service manual (Google for it) and access the drive to identify it.

    For a laptop of that era you could try IBM/Hitachi or Toshiba (if a Toshiba laptop) diagnostics.
     
    PeteC,
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  8. 2009/05/24
    no idea

    no idea Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Thank you for your response.

    I am unaware of any way it might be possible to click to one of these links on the affected machine. How do I run a diagnostic on a machine in this one's condition?

    I will definitely check out the owner's manual; appreciate your patience and assistance.

    Jeni
     
    no idea,
    #7
  9. 2009/05/24
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

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    You can download tools mentioned by PeteC on working computer.
    They'll create bootable floppy/CD, which you can use on the laptop.
     
    broni,
    #8
  10. 2009/05/24
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    Most disk diagnostic software runs from a CD on boot so you can download on another computer and do the necessary in terms of creating a bootable CD.

    As you see nothing on the screen on boot I just hope that the boot order is set to CD-ROM first in the BIOS.
     
    PeteC,
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  11. 2009/05/24
    no idea

    no idea Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Thank you both, Broni and PeteC. (Why is it that in this age beyond McGuyver, 007 and Jason Bourne - let alone my own cell phone's vast applications - I never manage to think through the technology and all its possibilities...?)

    In any case, I appreciate your input, expertise and availability. The fact that the CD drive seems to want to work is a little bit hopeful for me. Also, I have an external hard disk that's been backing files up for quite some time now.

    My thanks again. I wish I could repay you. Tell me what would work; not sure weeding your gardens or mowing your grass is of much interest...

    Kindest regards, and many happy returns,

    Jeni

    PS If the boot-order is NOT set to CD first in the BIOS, am I (you know) out of luck?
     
    no idea,
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  12. 2009/05/24
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

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    You shouldn't have problem accessing BIOS, if you need to, even if the computer is not bootable.
     
    broni,
    #11
  13. 2009/05/25
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Hi Jeni. Another thing you can try is when the computer first starts up try tapping the F8 key. This should bring up the advanced boot options menu. If the menu comes up try selecting Last Known Good Configuration and press enter. See if the computer will boot normally now. If the computer still shows a black screen despite you pressing F8 on startup then run the disk diagnostic software that Pete linked to.
     
    Evan Omo,
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  14. 2009/05/25
    no idea

    no idea Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Hello again,

    I have been searching for the diagnostic tool you suggested. My laptop is a Toshiba Satellite M45-165/IC370/512. Before I found the following list, I also read several (too many) complaint blogs about my exact laptop and the problem I now have, among many other horrors specific to Toshiba hardware, software and customer relations. Ironically, I have never had the types of nightmares listed by the bevy of dissatisfied Toshiba ex-customers. This is, however, of not much comfort as the current issue needs fixing, and I cannot tell if the fix is in any of the downloads they offer or not. The following is a cut and pasted list from this link:

    http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/...r=M45-S165&selCategory=3&selFamily=1073768663

    04-16-2008 - DVDToshiba (TSST) TS-L632* DVD Drive Firmware Update (vTO02; 04-15-2008; 1M)

    06-14-2006 - Driver Wi-FiIntel 802.11a/g,g Mini-PCI Driver for Windows XP / 2000 (v9.0.4.8; 06-14-2006; 2M)

    06-14-2006 - Wi-FiIntel PROSet Utility for Windows XP/2000 (v9.0.4.0; 06-14-2006; 27M)

    01-31-2006 - DMIToshiba DMI Update Utility for Satellite M40/M45 (v1.0 build 20060130; 01-31-2006; 1M)

    08-24-2005 - BIOSACPI Flash BIOS version 1.50 for Satellite M40/M45 (PSM43x) (v1.50; 08-23-2005; 2M)

    07-12-2005 - Driver Flash Memory SDTexas Instruments PCIxx21 FlashMedia Driver for Windows XP (v2.00; 07-12-2005; 3M)

    06-30-2005 User Guide/AddendaAddendum: Updated Features and Specifications for Satellite M40/M45 (v1.0; 06-30-2005; 24K)

    06-14-2005 - Display Driver SpecialATI Chipset and Display Driver for Windows XP (v6.14.10.6539 Logo r2; 06-14-2005; 25M)

    06-14-2005 - Driver LANRealTek LAN Driver for Windows XP (v5.620.1202.2004; 06-14-2005; 2M)

    06-14-2005 - Driver SoundRealtek Audio Driver for Windows XP (v5.10.0.5820; 06-14-2005; 24M)

    As none of these refer to "diagnostics" in any way, I am hesitant to believe any of the choices offered will help or fix the problem. Perhaps I have not found the best site for this download... Or perhaps (my heart is sinking at the thought) this is just the beginning of a worst-case scenario?

    Thank you again for the help you have extended so far. I will keep searching as I wait for any further Toshiba Satellite diagnostic download information to which someone here might find or have access.

    Kindest regards, and Happy Memorial Day,

    Jeni

    PS Thanks, Evan, for the F8 idea. Still blank/black screen. :(
     
    no idea,
    #13
  15. 2009/05/25
    broni

    broni Moderator Malware Analyst

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    Unfortunately, Toshiba doesn't provide its own hard drive diagnostic tool (another nail to Toshiba's coffin?).
    You can try to run Hitachi tool.
     
    broni,
    #14
  16. 2009/05/26
    no idea

    no idea Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Thanks very much, all. Fingers crossed here as I dive into the as-yet unknown. Appreciate the support and wish the best for all of you!

    Jeni
     
    no idea,
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  17. 2009/05/26
    no idea

    no idea Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Is there a way to find out the manufacturer, type and model of hard drive in my Toshiba Satellite M45 laptop? My searches lead to web sites that sell drives, not to a place that might identify which diagnostic tool to use on this machine.

    Also, I am assuming that Windows XP and Windows OS are completely different systems. Is this correct?

    Regards,

    Jeni
     
    no idea,
    #16
  18. 2009/05/26
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    See broni's post #14 - seems that Toshiba do not have diagnostic software for their drives - your drive is almost certainly a Toshiba - and the suggestion is to run the Hitachi diagnostics.

    Drive Fitness Test
    No - Windows OS is Windows Operating System - a generic term, and Windows XP is one of many Windows OS's. In the URL above the software for Windows OS will run on all flavours of Windows, but not on Linux or Mac OS's.
     
    PeteC,
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  19. 2009/05/26
    no idea

    no idea Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Thank you. I understand. There are two tools noted on the Hitachi web site: "Drive Fitness Test" and "OGT Diagnostic Tool ". How do I know which one to run?

    Here is what is written about them:

    Drive Fitness Test

    Version 4.14

    The Drive Fitness Test (DFT) quickly and reliably tests SCSI, IDE and SATA drives. The DFT analyze function performs read tests without overwriting customer data.

    Ultrastar 10K300, Ultrastar 15K73 and DK32XX users, do not use DFT — Use the OGT Diagnostic Tool.
    Does not support Microdrive Digital Media products.
    Supports all Travelstar HDDs, except 8E, 10E and C4K series.
    Does not support Endurastar products.
    ----

    OGT Diagnostic Tool

    OGT Diagnostic Tool is a failure analysis tool for Ultrastar 10K300, Ultrastar 15K73 and DK32xx disk drives. For these drives, OGT Diagnostic Tool replaces the Drive Fitness Test.

    Downloads

    OGT Diagnostic Tool (3,985 K).
    OGT Diagnostic Tool User's Guide.

    Notes

    Automatically performs necessary diagnostic testing and failure analysis.
    Windows OS-compatible only.
    ----

    I can see the underside of the Toshiba laptop, so have access to the make, model and serial number, in case I need that to figure this out.

    Thank you again,

    Jeni
     
    Last edited: 2009/05/26
    no idea,
    #18
  20. 2009/05/26
    PeteC

    PeteC SuperGeek Staff

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    You require the Drive Fitness Test - the OGT Diagnostic Tool is for specific Hitachi drives only.
     
    PeteC,
    #19
  21. 2009/05/26
    no idea

    no idea Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Thank you!
     
    no idea,
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