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General discussion

Vista startup problem.

May 19, 2010 2:43AM PDT

Hello.

I have a Acer Aspire M5641 with Windows Vista Home Premium (32-bit) OS.
Specs:
Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.00 GHz
2.00 GB Ram
512MB Nvidia Geforce 8600 Video card

Have owned this PC for a year and a half, and used System Recovery on it a few times after some problems with software and viruses. But now a new problem has come up: start up takes more than 20mins, and some times doesnt start up at all. Plus some occurrences of it suddenly freezing while in use.

For the startup problem, it always makes it through to the Windows loading page with the green moving loading bar. But there is always where it stops. Sometimes the loading bar will be moving for some time and after 20mins plus, will finally load. Other times, it just continues showing a moving loading bar. And lastly, it can also freeze with the loading bar immobile. When the loading does stop and nothing seems to work, I will power off my PC at either the ON button or the mains.

I tried starting the PC with Safe Mode, but out of all my attempts only ONCE did it work. I used System Repair for almost all my tries to start up but it only works for less than half the time.

One option which did work (as in, right now) was using the Launch Last Working Configuration option which appears after pressing F8 at the startup screen when I on the PC.

Sometimes when startup is miraculously successful, it only takes a few clicks until the entire PC hangs/freezes, no programs work, even the media player playing music jams and sound like a broken radio.

I wonder if it has anything to do with the registry, or are there any viruses infecting it although my antivirus doesnt detect anything. The problem only surfaced after I tried downloading a huge 1.2 GB software file from the internet with many failed attempts; one attempt did make it through but the installer was corrupted. After the failed downloads I use a software called CCleaner to delete temporary internet files and then used its Registry Cleaner as well as part of the normal routine. However, this time, I received more than usual amounts of registry errors; I used the "Fix All" option to just clear all the issues.

I hope someone can help me on this as I am very reluctant to go to the shop and get it examined.

Thank you in advance.

Discussion is locked

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I can bet a shop is to be avoided.
May 19, 2010 3:00AM PDT
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Video card defect?
May 23, 2010 11:42AM PDT

I've searched online for the defect but the ones I saw are issues relating to laptops, whereas mine is a desktop PC.

Could it be a hardware issue or a software one? As in, the card itself or drivers?

Additionally, what other causes besides video card issues can cause my problem?

Reply appreciated, thank you.

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Sorry.
May 23, 2010 9:03PM PDT

I leave you to sort this out as I have given you my best idea. This chip model is failing in desktops as well as the laptops and to avoid a shop was a goal here. That's why we swap out what I've been seeing fail.

Maybe a shop would be best if swapping parts at home is not acceptable?

Why would it be the drivers? Didn't it work when you got it?
Bob

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Thanks for the help
May 24, 2010 12:39AM PDT

Ah well the driver software had some small malfunction at one time but I got that fixed up.

Anyhow I guess I'm taking it back to the shop for the check as its still under warranty. If they say its no big deal I'll just go for 2nd opinion.

Thanks for all the help mate Wink