The Geek Forum
Main Forums => Hardware, Software, and Other Imperialist Crap => Topic started by: Wunderkind on September 02, 2009, 08:33:40 AM
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Everything I've looked up online has told me to download a registry cleaner to my laptop to fix this error. I have several problems with this
A. I already have a registry cleaner on it and B. How the hell do you install soemthing on a computer that BSoDs on start up. In other words I can't even see my desktop before it BSoDs. 3. And finally, I am no logner comfortable downloading software like registry cleaners and such off the internet as I have a suspicion that may have caused my BSoD in the first place.
Now my questions.
Is it better just to take my baby to professional have them dump everything, because there is nothing important on the laptop itself? Is there a way I can dump everything myself... keeping in mind there is nothing of value on the laptop, all that information is elsewhere.
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Have you attempted safe-mode? If you can at least get to the desktop, a system restore might work. I'm not sure you even have to get to the desktop in order to run that.
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reinstall, saves time.
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reinstall, saves time.
That.
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Another vote for reinstall here. If you already have your data backed up elsewhere, just blow it away and start from scratch.
/me puts on his Linux hat
And since you're blowing it away and starting from scratch, now would be a good time to give something different a try (http://www.ubuntu.com/).
No registry cleaners, no BSODs, no viruses, no adware, just a usable computer.
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But then again Wunderkind if you need to save data, try to download a HIRENS boot cd to get some of your data back. I take it it's XP reinstalling it without formatting won't erase any data unless it's damaged.
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Novice, I attempted a System Restore when it first happened, it gave me a "System Restore Failed" and crashed. Now I can't get past the Windows loading screen. :x
There is no data that needs to be saved. I'm smart enough to put all save-worth pr0n on an external hard drive or USB drives.
Thanks Demo, once I learn more about safe mode and/or reinstall I'll see about downloading it. I'm not sure what version of what we have lying around that I can reinstall with. :|
The computer isn't worth enough for me to spend any serious money on it. I just need something to limp around on until I can save up enough for something new and not a Dell. :-P
I'm looking at Toshibas right now...
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If it's a Dell, it should have came with a set of System Restore discs. That will wipe it out and put whatever OS was on it when you first bought it. Good thing is that you're starting clean again, bad thing is you'll need to immediately run Microsoft Update and apply about a bajillion service packs\patches on it.
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I have a software question. I just recently considered purchasing the key for my trial of Office2007 (was on my laptop when I bought it). WHAT.
THE
FUCK
is worth $500 in this application? ? ? ? ?
JEEEEZ... the fricken OS doesnt cost that much. That's beyond ridiculous; its plain stupid. FIVE HUNDRED BUCKS? ?
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Jeepers. I was lucky enough to have a suitemate in the dorms that gave me one of his copies of Office '07. OpenOffice that mess.
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Two words: student discount
http://www.microsoft.com/student/discounts/theultimatesteal-us/default.aspx (http://www.microsoft.com/student/discounts/theultimatesteal-us/default.aspx)
If you don't know anyone with a .edu or .cc email address, go enroll at the local CC for a one-hour credit (assuming they're listed here (http://store.digitalriver.com/servlet/ControllerServlet?Action=ContentTheme&Env=BASE&Locale=en_US&SiteID=msshus&pbPage=schools)). They'll give you a student email address. It'll cost you $75??
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Microsoft Office 2007 is a steaming pile. If you have MS Office 2003, stick with that instead. If you're worried about the new
lock-in native file formats, don't worry, MS has a free compatibility pack (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=941b3470-3ae9-4aee-8f43-c6bb74cd1466&displaylang=en) that works with previous versions of Office.
That's a hell of a lot better than screwing around with Office 2007, believe me.
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If it's a Dell, it should have came with a set of System Restore discs. That will wipe it out and put whatever OS was on it when you first bought it. Good thing is that you're starting clean again, bad thing is you'll need to immediately run Microsoft Update and apply about a bajillion service packs\patches on it.
The problem is I didn't purchase this thing. It was given to me as part of my college stuff. So it didn't come with any discs at all. :x I was ripped off.
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I have discovered that XP is a virus that will not be removed from your machine... ever... ever... It just stays there no matter how hard you try to pry it loose. I'm beginning to think gutting it and throwing it out into the front yard and sledge-hammering it would work better. I would feel better anyway... no less stupid, but better.
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I have discovered that XP is a virus that will not be removed from your machine... ever... ever... It just stays there no matter how hard you try to pry it loose. I'm beginning to think gutting it and throwing it out into the front yard and sledge-hammering it would work better. I would feel better anyway... no less stupid, but better.
Lemme guess... you found a partition on the hard drive that XP has its claws into and you can't get rid of it?
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Here. Some appropriate wallpaper (http://www.guildhaven.org/wallpaper/office_space_xp.jpg) might make you feel better.
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Microsoft Office 2007 is a steaming pile. If you have MS Office 2003, stick with that instead.
Well, the only reason I looked was I was building a detailed contact list in Outlook to save and load on my phone; and I was using up my 29 free app openings building it. When I saw it was $499.99, that decided it for me. I tried a couple of keys from my brother (he builds pc s on the side); but they didnt work. So I installed Office2000 , which is the latest I have; and works just fine for home use. Then I tried to import what I had already built in MSO2007 into MSO2000; thats when I came upon the incompatibilities and whatnot. In the meantime, I had also uploaded my phone's contact list to the List in Outlook2007; then deleted the list off of the phone. I then edited the contacts in Outlook, compiling the numbers, emails, streetaddys, etc . At this point I hooked up the phone and hit "sychronize". . . so it did. Unfortunately, I had forgotten to change the direction of synch. So it synched my Outlook list TO my EMPTY PHONE, and totally wiped out my entire contact list.
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Technology: Making our lives easier every day.
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I should point out that the only reason I "need" MS Office is because my phone has WinMobile and uses ActiveSync to update. There's no other way to get the contact list on the phone updated except to punch it in manually. It sees .csv , ldif, and other files; but the phone has no import / export function. So I'm basically tied to MSOffice if I want to import anything. I can Bluetooth files over; but again- no import/export.
Personally, I use Thunderbird for email and to maintain my contacts list. Outlook just doesn't agree with me; even at work where we HAVE to use it.
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Just be glad you don't have to use that crapheap Lotus Notes. I used to admin that POS back in the day and it was the biggest headache ever...
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Um. We DID use Slowtus Notes for a looooong time; and STILL use Sametime IM (courtesy of SlowtusNotes). :-(
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Lemme guess... you found a partition on the hard drive that XP has its claws into and you can't get rid of it?
Something like that. I'm sure a good portion of it was user error too. But it's gone now and that's all that matters.
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Well you're posting, so I guess you didn't go the sledgehammer route...
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No, my mom actually stepped in and fixed it which made me feel really dumb for a few minutes. I'm not putting internet on my laptop just yet for various reasons so I'm still posting from the ancient computer in the den.
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No, my mom actually stepped in and fixed it which made me feel really dumb for a few minutes.
I believe this is the very first time I've ever heard of the parent fixing the kid's comp, lol.
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I believe this is the very first time I've ever heard of the parent fixing the kid's comp, lol.
Hence the feeling of unbelievable unintelligence that washed over me as I sat there and watched her fix it. :| It was just weird.
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While doing electrical service work, my lead and I were sent on a call to a home with the information, "They got some lights done quit working. See can ya get em lit up." Upon arrival we consulted the homeowner, an older fella, in his sixties I would guess; who proceeded to brief us on everything he'd done and tested so far. He'd checked the switch, he'd made sure the travelers and common were right (see 3way switches for more info), he'd taken the fixture down and tested power in the box; both hot and switched.
I looked at Ralph, my electrician, and we just nodded knowingly. I went back out to our truck and got our six foot ladder (we *NEVER* use a homeowner's ladder), then ohmed out a good light bulb and stuck it in my shirt pocket. When I got back inside the homeowner was still discussing with Ralph, who listened patiently, what could be the problem. I set up the ladder and quickly replaced the bulb, and flipped the switch. Light.
The homeowner didn't have ANYTHING to say beyond, "Well. Looka there." Ralph gave him some face to save with the old " :w: sometimes the filament in there is broken, but not vaporized, and can still make contact intermittently and light up", but it was almost tangible how embarrassed he was; so we politely got the hell outta there quick.
:?
I dunno where I was going with this, btw.
. . . "happens to all of us"? I guess? Maybe? :slap
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I am used to 2007 now, the ribbon caused some ##@!@@!#$^*( but now i got it covered and i actually appreciate it.
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I used it where I used to work for about six months and never got "used to it". It slowed me down and frustrated me just as much (if not more) after six months as it did out of the box. I eventually just gave up on it and started logging into a different terminal server that still had MS Office 2003 installed so that I could get some actual work done.
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I split this off from here out. New thread is "Smartphones".
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step one: remove hard drive
step two: obtain sledgehammer
step three: attempt to combine the two
step four: obtain new hard drive
step five: install new hard drive
step six: reinstall windows
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You know, I have done steps one through six more times than I want to remember.