Author Topic: pc problems  (Read 4817 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline evolyn

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 290
pc problems
« on: Wed, 15 May 2013, 14:09:34 »
hey guys i can't boot my windows anymore.
itryed to repair windows with the win cd i did it 2times.
Nothing happend now i can't even start the windows cd doesnt work.

What should i do my computer has this problem since few days a few resetts and it always startet i used my pc today evrything worked good.
when i startet it new the restarts didnt help. Also the action like i said already.

if u have any idea please help i wanna save some data atleast
Iam Looking Desprate for Championship Riven QQ

Offline Tym

  • [CTRL]ALT
  • * Maker
  • Posts: 1583
  • Location: England
Re: pc problems
« Reply #1 on: Wed, 15 May 2013, 14:14:34 »
With regards to saving data, take out your HDD and stick it into another PC as long as it insn't corrupt you can put it onto another  HDD to secure it.
unless they have some unforeseeable downside (like they're actually made of cream cheese cunningly disguised as ABS)


Offline Dgsbllx

  • Posts: 300
  • Location: UK
Re: pc problems
« Reply #2 on: Wed, 15 May 2013, 14:17:09 »
Which version of windows?
Could you access the bios menu?

On a side I would suggest Knoppix (http://knoppix.net/) to create a boot disc and that should allow you to retrieve some data.

Offline Lanx

  • Posts: 1915
Re: pc problems
« Reply #3 on: Wed, 15 May 2013, 14:54:14 »
did you change your hard drive? or change your boot order? that is usually the problem with win7/win8 nowadays.

Offline evolyn

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 290
Re: pc problems
« Reply #4 on: Wed, 15 May 2013, 14:55:57 »
its the windows 7 64 ulti ithink.
and yes i can access bios. But i can't start windows installation via the wincd doesnt work.
ijust said there is a error in reading the disc something like this.
But this is wierd even when the harddisk is broken i should be possible to start the windowsistallation cd.
Evrything i tryed failed i can't do anything basicly !

First wanna try to get my computer running againg
secound i wanna save datas

btw. I dont own 2nd computer were i can plug in the harddisk only got this pc , iam writing now via a notebook from a friend.

What can i do to use my computer again ? could it be that the harddisk is broken ? or is it something diffrently ?
if yes its very wierd that u can't run wincd.
Iam Looking Desprate for Championship Riven QQ

Offline evolyn

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 290
Re: pc problems
« Reply #5 on: Wed, 15 May 2013, 14:58:28 »
did you change your hard drive? or change your boot order? that is usually the problem with win7/win8 nowadays.
ichanged that yes into 1.cd 2.cd.3cd from 1.hd.2.cd.3.floppy ! Ichanged it because of the installation what should i do ?
Iam Looking Desprate for Championship Riven QQ

Offline Lanx

  • Posts: 1915
Re: pc problems
« Reply #6 on: Wed, 15 May 2013, 15:01:38 »
wait how many hd's you have? one?

Offline evolyn

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 290
Re: pc problems
« Reply #7 on: Wed, 15 May 2013, 15:24:22 »
no dude i got 1 ssd 2normals and 1 external

Iam Looking Desprate for Championship Riven QQ

Offline Leslieann

  • * Elevated Elder
  • Posts: 4567
Re: pc problems
« Reply #8 on: Wed, 15 May 2013, 16:12:08 »
In old bios you picked cd, hdd1, hdd2, usb, etc...

On modern systems you pick the type (cd, HDD, USB) and then there is a sub menu to dictate which HDD to start, and it's rarely on the same page in the bios. When you altered the start order, you probably altered the hdd drive order as well.
Novelkeys NK65AE w/62g Zilents/39g springs
More
62g Zilents/lubed/Novelkeys 39g springs, HK Gaming Thick PBT caps, Netdot Gen10 magnetic cable, pic
| Filco MJ2 L.E. Vortex Case, Jailhouse Blues, heavily customized
More
Vortex case squared up/blasted finish removed/custom feet/paint/winkey blockoff plate, HID Liberator, stainless steel universal plate, 3d printed adapters, Type C, Netdot Gen10 magnetic cable, foam sound dampened, HK Gaming Thick PBT caps (o-ringed), Cherry Jailhouse Blues w/lubed/clipped Cherry light springs, 40g actuation
| GMMK TKL
More
w/ Kailh Purple Pros/lubed/Novelkeys 39g springs, HK Gaming Thick PBT caps, Netdot Gen10 Magnetic cable
| PF65 3d printed 65% w/LCD and hot swap
More
Box Jades, Interchangeable trim, mini lcd, QMK, underglow, HK Gaming Thick PBT caps, O-rings, Netdot Gen10 magnetic cable, in progress link
| Magicforce 68
More
MF68 pcb, Outemu Blues, in progress
| YMDK75 Jail Housed Gateron Blues
More
J-spacers, YMDK Thick PBT, O-rings, SIP sockets
| KBT Race S L.E.
More
Ergo Clears, custom WASD caps
| Das Pro
More
Costar model with browns
| GH60
More
Cherry Blacks, custom 3d printed case
| Logitech Illumininated | IBM Model M (x2)
Definitive Omron Guide. | 3d printed Keyboard FAQ/Discussion

Offline evolyn

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 290
Re: pc problems
« Reply #9 on: Wed, 15 May 2013, 16:41:47 »
the problem existed before.
Ichanged it back into normal settings nothing changed.
itryed now for 3hours starting it on and off controlling cables let it off few minutes 15-20

this is the message iget

loading operating system ...
a disk read error occurred
press ctrl alt del to restart

this happend all 25 times i restarted it.

to start the win installation i mean the win cd isn't possible no chance at all what ever u try f12 doesnt work nothing works.

ithink something is broken
Iam Looking Desprate for Championship Riven QQ

Offline tp4tissue

  • * Destiny Supporter
  • Posts: 13722
  • Location: Official Geekhack Public Defender..
  • OmniExpert of: Rice, Top-Ramen, Ergodox, n Females
Re: pc problems
« Reply #10 on: Wed, 15 May 2013, 17:38:00 »
the problem existed before.
Ichanged it back into normal settings nothing changed.
itryed now for 3hours starting it on and off controlling cables let it off few minutes 15-20

this is the message iget

loading operating system ...
a disk read error occurred
press ctrl alt del to restart

this happend all 25 times i restarted it.

to start the win installation i mean the win cd isn't possible no chance at all what ever u try f12 doesnt work nothing works.

ithink something is broken


stop trying to boot from CD..

make a usb boot drive and install windows from that.. much faster, AND much more reliable.

Use the software below...

http://download.cnet.com/Windows-7-USB-DVD-Download-Tool/3000-18513_4-10972600.html

when running it.. it will require the "iso" file of your Windows 7 dvd,

It doesn't care if the iso is pirated, which i'm sure you're using.  :p

If you need to CREATE an iso from an official-disk... then download "imgburn" on a working computer, and tell it to create an iso of your install CD.

Offline Lanx

  • Posts: 1915
Re: pc problems
« Reply #11 on: Wed, 15 May 2013, 20:27:29 »
external usb/sata? does it show up for the boot menu?

what i usually do to fix this issue for ppl (rather than creating boot disk that and boot disk this, cuz no one knows how to do it easily over the phone)

unplug all your hd's

plug in your main hd (i assume it's the ssd)

now does this ssd boot ahci? (don't know if that might or might not be an issue)

make sure you're trying to boot off the main drive only

plug in one hd

if that doesn't work, unplug that hd, and plug in the next one (keep going)

eventually you'll find out that somehow, for some reason, that i dont' care to find out, but windows will try to boot from c:\, then find the mbr of some other drive then go back to booting to c:\

why?

i don't know but this is what happens to friends who suddenly can't boot anymore, and i tell them to do exactly that.

Offline Leslieann

  • * Elevated Elder
  • Posts: 4567
Re: pc problems
« Reply #12 on: Wed, 15 May 2013, 21:12:31 »
unplug all your hd's

plug in your main hd (i assume it's the ssd)

now does this ssd boot ahci? (don't know if that might or might not be an issue)

This.
Novelkeys NK65AE w/62g Zilents/39g springs
More
62g Zilents/lubed/Novelkeys 39g springs, HK Gaming Thick PBT caps, Netdot Gen10 magnetic cable, pic
| Filco MJ2 L.E. Vortex Case, Jailhouse Blues, heavily customized
More
Vortex case squared up/blasted finish removed/custom feet/paint/winkey blockoff plate, HID Liberator, stainless steel universal plate, 3d printed adapters, Type C, Netdot Gen10 magnetic cable, foam sound dampened, HK Gaming Thick PBT caps (o-ringed), Cherry Jailhouse Blues w/lubed/clipped Cherry light springs, 40g actuation
| GMMK TKL
More
w/ Kailh Purple Pros/lubed/Novelkeys 39g springs, HK Gaming Thick PBT caps, Netdot Gen10 Magnetic cable
| PF65 3d printed 65% w/LCD and hot swap
More
Box Jades, Interchangeable trim, mini lcd, QMK, underglow, HK Gaming Thick PBT caps, O-rings, Netdot Gen10 magnetic cable, in progress link
| Magicforce 68
More
MF68 pcb, Outemu Blues, in progress
| YMDK75 Jail Housed Gateron Blues
More
J-spacers, YMDK Thick PBT, O-rings, SIP sockets
| KBT Race S L.E.
More
Ergo Clears, custom WASD caps
| Das Pro
More
Costar model with browns
| GH60
More
Cherry Blacks, custom 3d printed case
| Logitech Illumininated | IBM Model M (x2)
Definitive Omron Guide. | 3d printed Keyboard FAQ/Discussion

Offline Trent

  • Posts: 29
Re: pc problems
« Reply #13 on: Thu, 16 May 2013, 21:23:05 »
stop trying to boot from CD..

make a usb boot drive and install windows from that.. much faster, AND much more reliable.

Use the software below...

http://download.cnet.com/Windows-7-USB-DVD-Download-Tool/3000-18513_4-10972600.html

when running it.. it will require the "iso" file of your Windows 7 dvd,

It doesn't care if the iso is pirated, which i'm sure you're using.  :p

If you need to CREATE an iso from an official-disk... then download "imgburn" on a working computer, and tell it to create an iso of your install CD.

Yes booting from a flash drive is faster but it is not more reliable.  In fact DVDs and CDs are rated to last 50-100 years, where as flash drives are rated for 1 mill write cycles (or 10 years of average usage).  Besides, while some of those USB image makers may work, I've found loads of them that almost never put OSes on a USB properly.
Quote from: Trent
I hate fun
IBM Model M | IBM Model M SSK | FK-2000 | FK-8000 | FK-9000 | Fujitsu Peerless | Zenith Data Systems (Yellow ALPS!) | AEK

Offline tp4tissue

  • * Destiny Supporter
  • Posts: 13722
  • Location: Official Geekhack Public Defender..
  • OmniExpert of: Rice, Top-Ramen, Ergodox, n Females
Re: pc problems
« Reply #14 on: Thu, 16 May 2013, 21:30:12 »
stop trying to boot from CD..

make a usb boot drive and install windows from that.. much faster, AND much more reliable.

Use the software below...

http://download.cnet.com/Windows-7-USB-DVD-Download-Tool/3000-18513_4-10972600.html

when running it.. it will require the "iso" file of your Windows 7 dvd,

It doesn't care if the iso is pirated, which i'm sure you're using.  :p

If you need to CREATE an iso from an official-disk... then download "imgburn" on a working computer, and tell it to create an iso of your install CD.

Yes booting from a flash drive is faster but it is not more reliable.  In fact DVDs and CDs are rated to last 50-100 years, where as flash drives are rated for 1 mill write cycles (or 10 years of average usage).  Besides, while some of those USB image makers may work, I've found loads of them that almost never put OSes on a USB properly.

dude, where've you been. Nobody installs from DVDs anymore...

Reliable, as in for the "install" process..  Copied Windows DVDs are notorious for read/write errors. this was part of the design..

The Flash Drive is not meant for archive, this is true, but I don't see your point, as you wouldn't be using windows 7 in 50 years. :D


Offline Leslieann

  • * Elevated Elder
  • Posts: 4567
Re: pc problems
« Reply #15 on: Thu, 16 May 2013, 21:44:14 »
Yes booting from a flash drive is faster but it is not more reliable.  In fact DVDs and CDs are rated to last 50-100 years, where as flash drives are rated for 1 mill write cycles (or 10 years of average usage).  Besides, while some of those USB image makers may work, I've found loads of them that almost never put OSes on a USB properly.

Actually, CD's were originally 20-100 years and DVD's were 30-100, however that was based on the original formulation. They have since been cheapened dramatically and experts now say after 10, you shouldn't count on the data being intact. Worse, some DVD's have been shipped showing signs of failure before leaving the shelves.

As for thumbsticks...
I'll believe 10 years when I see one even make half that under even light use. The memory chips may be designed to last that long, however the rest of the electronics are typical Chinese junk and if the usb port itself doesn't get broken, the electronics inside get damaged in some manner.

Also, Bios booting from USB is FAR less reliable, and USB didn't originally contain error control, so errors are FAR more prone over USB. In fact, it' a large problem for those flashing phones with custom roms and such. Not to mention the USB specs are quite loose, so things don't always work as they should, for instance, not all items are able to run through a hub.
Novelkeys NK65AE w/62g Zilents/39g springs
More
62g Zilents/lubed/Novelkeys 39g springs, HK Gaming Thick PBT caps, Netdot Gen10 magnetic cable, pic
| Filco MJ2 L.E. Vortex Case, Jailhouse Blues, heavily customized
More
Vortex case squared up/blasted finish removed/custom feet/paint/winkey blockoff plate, HID Liberator, stainless steel universal plate, 3d printed adapters, Type C, Netdot Gen10 magnetic cable, foam sound dampened, HK Gaming Thick PBT caps (o-ringed), Cherry Jailhouse Blues w/lubed/clipped Cherry light springs, 40g actuation
| GMMK TKL
More
w/ Kailh Purple Pros/lubed/Novelkeys 39g springs, HK Gaming Thick PBT caps, Netdot Gen10 Magnetic cable
| PF65 3d printed 65% w/LCD and hot swap
More
Box Jades, Interchangeable trim, mini lcd, QMK, underglow, HK Gaming Thick PBT caps, O-rings, Netdot Gen10 magnetic cable, in progress link
| Magicforce 68
More
MF68 pcb, Outemu Blues, in progress
| YMDK75 Jail Housed Gateron Blues
More
J-spacers, YMDK Thick PBT, O-rings, SIP sockets
| KBT Race S L.E.
More
Ergo Clears, custom WASD caps
| Das Pro
More
Costar model with browns
| GH60
More
Cherry Blacks, custom 3d printed case
| Logitech Illumininated | IBM Model M (x2)
Definitive Omron Guide. | 3d printed Keyboard FAQ/Discussion

Offline dorkvader

  • Posts: 6289
  • Location: Boston area
  • all about the "hack" in "geekhack"
Re: pc problems
« Reply #16 on: Fri, 17 May 2013, 00:08:35 »
stop trying to boot from CD..

make a usb boot drive and install windows from that.. much faster, AND much more reliable.

Use the software below...

http://download.cnet.com/Windows-7-USB-DVD-Download-Tool/3000-18513_4-10972600.html

when running it.. it will require the "iso" file of your Windows 7 dvd,

It doesn't care if the iso is pirated, which i'm sure you're using.  :p

If you need to CREATE an iso from an official-disk... then download "imgburn" on a working computer, and tell it to create an iso of your install CD.

Yes booting from a flash drive is faster but it is not more reliable.  In fact DVDs and CDs are rated to last 50-100 years, where as flash drives are rated for 1 mill write cycles (or 10 years of average usage).  Besides, while some of those USB image makers may work, I've found loads of them that almost never put OSes on a USB properly.

dude, where've you been. Nobody installs from DVDs anymore...

Reliable, as in for the "install" process..  Copied Windows DVDs are notorious for read/write errors. this was part of the design..

The Flash Drive is not meant for archive, this is true, but I don't see your point, as you wouldn't be using windows 7 in 50 years. :D


I work in computer repair, and I've installed windows 7 at least 200 times from DVD(s) just fine. I have researched the history of optical media design somewhat (promarily from a materials engeneering background), and I disagree that having errors was a design goal. I do keep a 16Gb flash drive around with windows 7 all-in-one that I use mainly (the extra space is filled up with drivers) but it is often more convenient to have optical recovery media around to reload a system with, should the need arise.

also, there's no need to rely on third party tools to create bootable media for windows 7. There exists a utility already on the CD (or already on your ISO from digitalriver) that can make your flash media bootable (for windows 7). Below is the guide I followed when I first tried this
http://www.maximumpc.com/article/howtos/how_to_install_windows_7_beta_a_usb_key

There's no need to pirate windows 7 disc images, as they are available legally from microsoft (via digitalriver) Remember to write down your activation key. (just search for a list of windows7 versions from digitalriver, or post what windows version you have, and someone'll find a link I'm sure, or PM me or whatever.)

I remember looking up the projected lifespan of different media for archival purposes, and the most reliable information I saw does not recommend most optical media past 20 years. I have had flash drives fail (to various issues, I suspect too much use to be chief among them) over the years, too. I buy flash storage like there's no tomorrow, and I can't have too much.

@OP: I didn't see any specifics, but what sort of computer are you using? Many Dell, HP models will have onboard diagnostics you can run (usually F2) from a diagnostic partition. Failing that, I recommend you get some test/recovery tools. Knoppix is good, but you can try some more specialized ones. Provided the drive is okay, you should be able to easily recover files to external media using linux. If the drive hardware is okay, but the filesystem is not, you can sometimes rebuild the partitions. (beyond the scope of this post, but I've had good luck with cgsecurity's photorec & testdisk) If the drive itself is failing, you can sometimes recover data.

What I recommend is to do a "spring cleaning" by backing up all your files (if you haven't done it already) and then reloading windows. Transfer your backup, install programs and be happy.

If you want to try and recover windows itself, there are some ways, press f8 while starting, to bot into windows safe mode, or let the stupid "startup repair" to complete, open the terminal, run an sfc (look up how to do an sfc scannow in your search engine of choice)

---
this is the message iget

loading operating system ...
a disk read error occurred
press ctrl alt del to restart

this happend all 25 times i restarted it.
Based on the above, there's a chance your drive has failed. Is it still in warranty? I recommend backing up your files and testing the HDD (if it has SMART, the SMART extended selftest is good. This is runnable through the GNOME program Palimpsest (now gnome disk tools or something like that) which is a linux application you can use. I have an ubuntu 9.04 CD that I have sitting around that I have been using for running it)

---
This is off-topic, but with flash and optical storage both having issues, the best way to run your live linux is with the -toram cheatcade. This will take a bit longer, as it loads the entire media to RAM (usually about 750 mb) but afterwards things are very fast, and you can remove the media. This is only recommended if you have 2GB+ of RAM anyway. Press TAB to enter the bootloader and add the -toram cheatcode to the end of the list of boot codes / options. This isn't necessary, but it's useful for a lot of situations I run into at work.
« Last Edit: Fri, 17 May 2013, 00:15:56 by dorkvader »

Offline tp4tissue

  • * Destiny Supporter
  • Posts: 13722
  • Location: Official Geekhack Public Defender..
  • OmniExpert of: Rice, Top-Ramen, Ergodox, n Females
Re: pc problems
« Reply #17 on: Fri, 17 May 2013, 00:34:12 »
Yes booting from a flash drive is faster but it is not more reliable.  In fact DVDs and CDs are rated to last 50-100 years, where as flash drives are rated for 1 mill write cycles (or 10 years of average usage).  Besides, while some of those USB image makers may work, I've found loads of them that almost never put OSes on a USB properly.

Actually, CD's were originally 20-100 years and DVD's were 30-100, however that was based on the original formulation. They have since been cheapened dramatically and experts now say after 10, you shouldn't count on the data being intact. Worse, some DVD's have been shipped showing signs of failure before leaving the shelves.

As for thumbsticks...
I'll believe 10 years when I see one even make half that under even light use. The memory chips may be designed to last that long, however the rest of the electronics are typical Chinese junk and if the usb port itself doesn't get broken, the electronics inside get damaged in some manner.

Also, Bios booting from USB is FAR less reliable, and USB didn't originally contain error control, so errors are FAR more prone over USB. In fact, it' a large problem for those flashing phones with custom roms and such. Not to mention the USB specs are quite loose, so things don't always work as they should, for instance, not all items are able to run through a hub.

You guys must have either bought the worst usb sticks, or have terrible $50 motherboards.

I've never had problems installing over USB, because guess what the windows installation process IS error-checked.

The cheapest usb stick i've used are the ones that they gave away at the shanghai expo... Worst write speeds ever, and 2 of the 7 I got never even worked..  regardless, the ones that did work, I've used numerous times to install windows 7 ult, and have no hiccups.

Offline dorkvader

  • Posts: 6289
  • Location: Boston area
  • all about the "hack" in "geekhack"
Re: pc problems
« Reply #18 on: Fri, 17 May 2013, 02:33:29 »
You guys must have either bought the worst usb sticks, or have terrible $50 motherboards.

I've never had problems installing over USB, because guess what the windows installation process IS error-checked.

The cheapest usb stick i've used are the ones that they gave away at the shanghai expo... Worst write speeds ever, and 2 of the 7 I got never even worked..  regardless, the ones that did work, I've used numerous times to install windows 7 ult, and have no hiccups.
I may be misunderstanding, and I certainly don't want to speak for someone else, but I don't see this as an issue of mere read/write speeds, or quality of USB sticks. I've taken a good many apart for various case modifications I've done, and the differences between cheap and expensive USB sticks, while plain as day, don't have too much to do with my point.

Incidentally, the first one to fail was an expensive and very well made sony one. The free poorly made ones I have received from expo's are all still working (I use them as linux test drives and also for other diagnostic tools)

Restating it again: the USB standard of communication is very "loose". I don't have too much familiarity with protocols, but anyone can read the voltage tolerances on USB, and can see that it can vary widely, and still remain in spec. Likewise, the current limit is commonly ignored for more than just USB chargers. I really only have knowledge and experience with the hardware level of USB, but I have read that the logic level is likewise less constrained.

My main windows 7 (and 8 ) installation medium is a 16Gb USB flash drive, which works just fine for me. I've installed windows 7 (usually 64-bit enterprise) many times and had few issues.

I'm glad you mention error-checking in the windows installation process. I don't know if this is the case or not (again, all this protocol logic stuff is a weakness of mine) but if it's true, then why are there "known issues" with installing from optical media and not USB media? wouldn't the redundancy of error-checking negate any such problems? Since I admit to knowing less in this area, I'm curious to know, so I can learn from it, and profit thereby.

---

Nevertheless, this is another discussion entirely. To the OP: I recommend you reinstall from a USB or a DVD: whichever is most convenient for you. If there is nothing wrong with your drive itself, it may be very easy indeed to reinstall from a recovery partition, should it exist. Again, this depends on your system's particulars, which I do not know.

Offline Trent

  • Posts: 29
Re: pc problems
« Reply #19 on: Fri, 17 May 2013, 14:18:17 »
tldr
Quote from: Trent
I hate fun
IBM Model M | IBM Model M SSK | FK-2000 | FK-8000 | FK-9000 | Fujitsu Peerless | Zenith Data Systems (Yellow ALPS!) | AEK

Offline Leslieann

  • * Elevated Elder
  • Posts: 4567
Re: pc problems
« Reply #20 on: Fri, 17 May 2013, 17:04:29 »
You guys must have either bought the worst usb sticks, or have terrible $50 motherboards.

I work on junk because I'm an independent tech, I work on whatever anyone pays me to work on. Some days I work on the latest high end stuff, and other days, like next week, it will be an Apple G3 desktop.
Novelkeys NK65AE w/62g Zilents/39g springs
More
62g Zilents/lubed/Novelkeys 39g springs, HK Gaming Thick PBT caps, Netdot Gen10 magnetic cable, pic
| Filco MJ2 L.E. Vortex Case, Jailhouse Blues, heavily customized
More
Vortex case squared up/blasted finish removed/custom feet/paint/winkey blockoff plate, HID Liberator, stainless steel universal plate, 3d printed adapters, Type C, Netdot Gen10 magnetic cable, foam sound dampened, HK Gaming Thick PBT caps (o-ringed), Cherry Jailhouse Blues w/lubed/clipped Cherry light springs, 40g actuation
| GMMK TKL
More
w/ Kailh Purple Pros/lubed/Novelkeys 39g springs, HK Gaming Thick PBT caps, Netdot Gen10 Magnetic cable
| PF65 3d printed 65% w/LCD and hot swap
More
Box Jades, Interchangeable trim, mini lcd, QMK, underglow, HK Gaming Thick PBT caps, O-rings, Netdot Gen10 magnetic cable, in progress link
| Magicforce 68
More
MF68 pcb, Outemu Blues, in progress
| YMDK75 Jail Housed Gateron Blues
More
J-spacers, YMDK Thick PBT, O-rings, SIP sockets
| KBT Race S L.E.
More
Ergo Clears, custom WASD caps
| Das Pro
More
Costar model with browns
| GH60
More
Cherry Blacks, custom 3d printed case
| Logitech Illumininated | IBM Model M (x2)
Definitive Omron Guide. | 3d printed Keyboard FAQ/Discussion

Offline tp4tissue

  • * Destiny Supporter
  • Posts: 13722
  • Location: Official Geekhack Public Defender..
  • OmniExpert of: Rice, Top-Ramen, Ergodox, n Females
Re: pc problems
« Reply #21 on: Fri, 17 May 2013, 19:48:18 »
You guys must have either bought the worst usb sticks, or have terrible $50 motherboards.

I work on junk because I'm an independent tech, I work on whatever anyone pays me to work on. Some days I work on the latest high end stuff, and other days, like next week, it will be an Apple G3 desktop.


? do you work for geeksquad ?

Offline dorkvader

  • Posts: 6289
  • Location: Boston area
  • all about the "hack" in "geekhack"
Re: pc problems
« Reply #22 on: Sat, 18 May 2013, 00:25:53 »
I work on junk because I'm an independent tech, I work on whatever anyone pays me to work on. Some days I work on the latest high end stuff, and other days, like next week, it will be an Apple G3 desktop.


? do you work for geeksquad ?
Emphasis added.

I do warranty service work on the following OEM's (in approximate order) Apple Fujitsu HP Lenovo Dell Toshiba. I do a lot of work on damaged machines (drop/spill normally. below is a painted one I did this week) since all these manufacturers (save Apple) have an accidental damage warranty.

http://i.imm.io/1604w.jpeg
http://i.imm.io/1604B.jpeg
http://i.imm.io/1604G.jpeg
http://i.imm.io/1604S.jpeg
http://i.imm.io/16056.jpeg
(this Lifebook T5010 was repaired under Fujitsu's accidental damage warranty. The first images show a similar lifebook T900 for colour comparison)

I don't know what sort of work BestBuy "Geek Squad" employee's do, but I've always wanted to talk shop with one. If you work for Geek Squad, feel free to PM me about it.
---
@trent, the TL;DR is "boot linux, backup data, replace hdd (if necessary), reload OS."

Offline Leslieann

  • * Elevated Elder
  • Posts: 4567
Re: pc problems
« Reply #23 on: Sat, 18 May 2013, 01:47:24 »
? do you work for geeksquad ?
Independent.
I do everything fomr homes to medium size businesses, as well as contract work for major corporations on occasion.
Novelkeys NK65AE w/62g Zilents/39g springs
More
62g Zilents/lubed/Novelkeys 39g springs, HK Gaming Thick PBT caps, Netdot Gen10 magnetic cable, pic
| Filco MJ2 L.E. Vortex Case, Jailhouse Blues, heavily customized
More
Vortex case squared up/blasted finish removed/custom feet/paint/winkey blockoff plate, HID Liberator, stainless steel universal plate, 3d printed adapters, Type C, Netdot Gen10 magnetic cable, foam sound dampened, HK Gaming Thick PBT caps (o-ringed), Cherry Jailhouse Blues w/lubed/clipped Cherry light springs, 40g actuation
| GMMK TKL
More
w/ Kailh Purple Pros/lubed/Novelkeys 39g springs, HK Gaming Thick PBT caps, Netdot Gen10 Magnetic cable
| PF65 3d printed 65% w/LCD and hot swap
More
Box Jades, Interchangeable trim, mini lcd, QMK, underglow, HK Gaming Thick PBT caps, O-rings, Netdot Gen10 magnetic cable, in progress link
| Magicforce 68
More
MF68 pcb, Outemu Blues, in progress
| YMDK75 Jail Housed Gateron Blues
More
J-spacers, YMDK Thick PBT, O-rings, SIP sockets
| KBT Race S L.E.
More
Ergo Clears, custom WASD caps
| Das Pro
More
Costar model with browns
| GH60
More
Cherry Blacks, custom 3d printed case
| Logitech Illumininated | IBM Model M (x2)
Definitive Omron Guide. | 3d printed Keyboard FAQ/Discussion

Offline rknize

  • * Administrator
  • Posts: 1731
  • Location: Chicago
    • metaruss
Re: pc problems
« Reply #24 on: Tue, 21 May 2013, 15:04:58 »
Yes booting from a flash drive is faster but it is not more reliable.  In fact DVDs and CDs are rated to last 50-100 years, where as flash drives are rated for 1 mill write cycles (or 10 years of average usage).  Besides, while some of those USB image makers may work, I've found loads of them that almost never put OSes on a USB properly.

Actually, CD's were originally 20-100 years and DVD's were 30-100, however that was based on the original formulation. They have since been cheapened dramatically and experts now say after 10, you shouldn't count on the data being intact. Worse, some DVD's have been shipped showing signs of failure before leaving the shelves.

As for thumbsticks...
I'll believe 10 years when I see one even make half that under even light use. The memory chips may be designed to last that long, however the rest of the electronics are typical Chinese junk and if the usb port itself doesn't get broken, the electronics inside get damaged in some manner.

Also, Bios booting from USB is FAR less reliable, and USB didn't originally contain error control, so errors are FAR more prone over USB. In fact, it' a large problem for those flashing phones with custom roms and such. Not to mention the USB specs are quite loose, so things don't always work as they should, for instance, not all items are able to run through a hub.

You guys must have either bought the worst usb sticks, or have terrible $50 motherboards.

I've never had problems installing over USB, because guess what the windows installation process IS error-checked.

The cheapest usb stick i've used are the ones that they gave away at the shanghai expo... Worst write speeds ever, and 2 of the 7 I got never even worked..  regardless, the ones that did work, I've used numerous times to install windows 7 ult, and have no hiccups.

Most of my time is spent dealing with flash memory device in embedded devices (phones).  Mostly eMMC these days, but plenty of microSD card fun, too.  They all use the same NAND flash memory technologies and most of that comes from a couple of fabs.  Yet, devices vary wildly in terms of reliability and performance.  Much of the magic is not in the NAND array itself but in the firmware inside the chip that manages it.  The rest is the device manufacturer tuning the fab process and keep the quality bar high.  The cheap/free SD cards and USB keys use what is left over.

I have a uSD card graveyard in my drawer.  If you care about the data, spend a little extra on a better card.  If/when the device does fail, a good card will most often let you retrieve your data in the normal way.  The best I have seen is Sandisk.  Many of their devices go into a mode where they pretend to write (but actually don't so as to not upset the host OS with errors) and let you read whatever NAND blocks are still sane (usually most or all of them).  This lets you copy the data off the card without any special tools.  The vast majority of low-cost devices contain firmware that goes belly-up once the array has worn to the point where there are no free erase blocks left.  Most or all of your data is completely lost. 

Data that is archived on NAND can be lost too, given enough read cycles and time.  As the density has gone up, the charge leakage paths become more of a problem and bits are "lost".

Anyway, sorry to derail.
Russ