microsoft killed my computer

A

ahgar

Joined
Jan 4, 2005
Messages
1,794
well it didn't actually kill it but it definitely knocked it out. here's the problem, attempted to download xp service pack 3. after finally getting my computer to reboot it sends up a blue screen of death if anything usb is plugged in.
computer is dell E310 running xp home edition. 1.25 gig of memory and has been pretty bulletproof until now. oh and btw don't download service pack 3.
any help would be appreciated, thanks,ahgar
more info
won't restore to prior point
won't boot in safe mode or any other diagnostic mode.
seems to work great as long as nothing usb is plugged in.
 
It's Microsoft's way of getting everyone to buy their craptacular Vista OS. It's B.S. like this that has convinced me to go Mac whenever I get my next computer.

Have you tried booting it off a boot disk? either CD or floppy? then trying to get to safe mode? how about hitting F8 as it's booting up and then trying to get it to run in safe mode or command line?

You used to be able to download files for a rescue disk from the MS website, see if that's still available and boot up the computer off that.
 
yep i think you're right about the vista thing, my pc didn't come with a boot disk or cd just the restore partition on the hard drive. done everything else you suggested and still stuck. thanks anyway, ahgar
 
Try using F11 or F12 during the boot and restoring to factory specs.

However, you will probably lose data and installed programs. Hopefully, you backed up!
 
Service Pack 3 seems to be picky by early reports. Some people have problems getting a clean download--perhaps some corruption from the high traffic MS is getting?

You're probably stuck with a re-install. If you have media for the OS, you might be able to a "repair", but I consider that unlikely.

make a backup off your network. You might have to buy a networkable external drive, since your USB isn't working, but they're not that expensive and will be useful in the future too.

Download and burn the service pack ISO for your next upgrade after you reinstall. There is anecdotal evidence that is somewhat more reliable.

Phil
 
At least this whole FUBARED SNAFU should provide plenty of entertaining opinions as to MS popularity!
I read a few entries on the MS userforum and it appears SP3 is capable of just about everything except its intended purpose.
The one that'll stick in my memory for awhile is causing the puter to go into a constantly repetitious reboot mode of inoperation!!

As an aside local news just reported 2 adult males hospitalized with injuries resulting from the use of cutlery to settle an altercation! Bring on the summer heat!
 
thanks for the help guys i was afraid i'd hear the dreaded "reinstall" and of course i didn't back up anything. well what doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
 
Glad to have learned about this before making a fatal for the computer mistake.

The wife said go to Linux instead of Mac. I know there are a lot of open source programs available. I'm pretty sure Firefox is usable with Linux.

It's really lousy that Microsoft would do something like that. You would think they should be familiar enough with XP to not screw it up. Or.......
 
Linux is generally pretty good, especially with mass market PCs. When you get into high end gear, there can be problems and you need to check the supported hardware lists for your specific hardware. For example the X-fi soundcards don't usually work at all and the latest upgrade to Ubuntu doesn't support my motherboard's network drivers which worked in the previous version.

Phil
 
Real sorry to hear of your problems.

I saw the XP SP3 offered on my automatic update - I hesitated and did a bit of checking - googled "XP SP3" -

Windows XP SP3 Creating Havoc

Continuous Reboots Plague Windows XP SP3 Users


This page seems to give good advice -

Minimizing XP SP3 woes

- but I'm still reluctant to "upgrade" - according to -

Paul Thurrott's SuperSite for Windows: Windows XP Service Pack 3 FAQ

" If you're already running XP and have been regularly updating your systems all along, the release of XP SP3 will be a minor event. "

Since I had kept my XP SP2 up to date -
SP3 at a 66Mb download, seems like a major upheaval for a pretty minor "upgrade"

EDIT to Add -

Following a link in the second article - I found this -

Does your AMD-based computer boot after installing XP SP3?

--
Vincent
http://picasaweb.com/UnknownVincent
http://UnknownVincent.Shutterfly.com
http://UnknownVT.Shutterfly.com
http://clik.to/UnknownVincent
 
Last edited:
wintermute said:
IIt's B.S. like this that has convinced me to go Mac whenever I get my next computer.
Click to expand...

The Mac has a much simpler job of updating as Apple supports a strictly limited set of hardware. It's probably impossible to test every hardware permutation that Windows attempts to support. It's a miracle of engineering standards that Windows works on such a wide range hardware.

This is part of Vista's problems too. Intel put pressure on MS to use a low level of hardware for the Vista Ready label, hardware that wasn't really up to the task. But it let Intel sell a bunch of old hardware out of it's inventory.

Moral: For any OS and it's updates, check the supported hardware for compatibility.
 
The Mac has a much simpler job of updating as Apple supports a strictly limited set of hardware.
Click to expand...
As a downside, Mac doesn't run on most computers. :(

Thanks for the heads-up on SP3 anyway. I've been waiting to upgrade (I don't use any of the automatic update features), but now I'll probably pass.
 
Disconnect all your USB devices and then boot the computer. Some computers, especially Toshiba laptops don't like USB peripherals connected at boot up.

If that doesn't work, boot to the Dell CD and do a Recovery Install. This puts a new version of Dell's software over the top of what you have. It leaves your data and programs untouched.
 
Andrew Taylor said:
Disconnect all your USB devices and then boot the computer. Some computers, especially Toshiba laptops don't like USB peripherals connected at boot up.

If that doesn't work, boot to the Dell CD and do a Recovery Install. This puts a new version of Dell's software over the top of what you have. It leaves your data and programs untouched.
Click to expand...

this sounds great except for one problem, i don't have a dell cd. dangit.
 
Contact Dell support and see if they'll supply you a CD for you specific model.You should already have the license key so you only need media. I suspect the default tech guy (india) won't be able to do that so push your request up to higher levels to get what you need.

Dell also has a support forum that has proven useful to me in the past. It has representatives that read the questions and help get you solutions. Try that too.

General Advice:
Many new computers no longer come with media. They have a restore partition. They'll also have tools for building restore CDs/DVDs and that should be the very first thing you do with the new system. You should build new ones every year or so as the burnable media is not particularly long lived and you MUST have a good copy for recovering your computer.

Phil
 
thanks for the advice phatch, the first day i have to really devote a lot of time to this will be tuesday. I plan on locking the doors, putting on my lucky shirt and calling the tech support guy for microsoft, who is providing live tech support for xp service pack 3 victims until some time in april, and keep him on the phone until my computer is fixed or i have a nervous breakdown and start to speak hindu. there may be beer involved. thanks for the help. i guess i'll break down and call dell and see how much i'll get shafted for a recovery cd. later,ahgar
 
I did the download and install a couple days back. Took a while but everything seems to have gone seamlessly. (Knock wood.)
 
Only one work Linux.

The wife said go to Linux instead of Mac. I know there are a lot of open source programs available. I'm pretty sure Firefox is usable with Linux.
Click to expand...
Yes, plent of free program that are updated regularly and really work. Firefox runs great.

Linux is generally pretty good, especially with mass market PCs. When you get into high end gear, there can be problems and you need to check the supported hardware lists for your specific hardware. For example the X-fi soundcards don't usually work at all and the latest upgrade to Ubuntu doesn't support my motherboard's network drivers which worked in the previous version.
Click to expand...
Very true. Laptops are notorious for not working without some tweeks. Luckily, there are many forums and someone has done it already and is willing to help.

My PC died and I got a Dell Vostro 1000 and didn't even boot it with window$ -- I installed Ubuntu Linux straight out of the box. Works fantastic.
 
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