mysterious problems

If u can make it to the Desktop then try running a registry scan with Registry Mechanic from PC Tools (www.pctools.com). Just to make sure there is no spyware in your PC run a scan with Spywaer Doctor which again is from Pc Tools.

Hope this works out.

system files & repair any bad sectors. Here's how:


Disk/repair (Check Disk) (like SFC)
Left click on My Computer(open)
Right click on "C" or your OS drive if another letter.
Left click Properties and then click Tools Tab.
Left click on "Error Checking"> Check Now.
Left click to enter check mark in BOTH boxes offered.
Left click on "Start".
Computer will have to reboot to begin repairs.
Just leave alone (you're locked out anyway) 'til process finished.
In regular mode will take about 1 Hour (more/less)
In Safe Mode about 2 hours.
If computer normal after process complete you might want to create a new
restore point and Label it POST ERROR REPAIR.
This is based on using an onboard copy of sys
files if copy is ok.
If copy is corrupted, it may tell you to insert XP or SP2(if patch applied) disk or to indicate location of SP2 info to get new,
clean copy inserted. Good to have disk at hand. Good Luck!!

I built my own computers, which does not make me an expert by any means. Weird problems have cropped up in my cases. My rule is to dismantle the system, then carefully re-assemble. The MoBo manual is always a great help. All those wirings for the USB, the LEDs, the fans, the speaker and the sounds - they usually are color coded, but not all manuals are equally superb in their instructions or figures.

I proceed from the minimum of peripherals: the monitor, keyboard and mouse. I also make notes, make or write info on the parts, make sure that the jumpers on the motherboard as well as the peripherals are set correctly. I do not yet overclock at this first steps, when I try the system.

It is always advisable to read through manuals in the installation of drivers too, more so that you are building your own system. Sometimes the drivers are installed first, sometimes the device before the drivers. The extra time to check and recheck I find to be more failsafe, because disassembly is more time consuming.

I'd make sure that I check the manufacturer's site for newer drives, so it is very helpful to write down somehwere the model number, the serial number, the version number of all devices that I have to put into my system. I find that some uncertified drivers can cause problems (especially modems and video cards), but otherwise I install them despite the warning.

i am sure that, despite your initial problems, you will find building your own system becomes better the second time around.

Good luck to you, and make sure that by the time you upgrade your system, there is so-called Hardware Abstraction Layer to contend with, because your XP system knows what it has in its hardware configuration files.

The fake pixels sounds to me like your video ram has gone.

To test it, reduce hardware acceleration in Display Properties, Settings, Advanced, Troubleshoot tab to half what it is. This may stop you being able to use DirectX, and videos may not play with such good definition, but it may get rid of the fake pixels. DirectX is needed for some games, and uses video ram extensively, so that could explain the games problem as well.

Mark