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Thread ID: 92189 2008-08-01 03:54:00 Computer lockup MPG (8302) Press F1
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694067 2008-08-01 03:54:00 Hi Folks

I have our daughter's computer at home to 'fix'. It will boot OK but I did note that during boot up, on the page about the bios, there was a message saying "checksum error - defaults loaded". Not sure of the significance or indeed whether it is related to the present problem. When it gets to the desktop it locks up. The mouse pointer still moves round but I can't do anything with it. The only way I have found to shut the machine down is to turn the power supply off. I don't know the circumstances surrounding the problem arising - it was some time ago.

I have been able to boot into safe mode and at present I am downloading all my daughter's working files.

Any suggestions about how I should approach tracking down and fixing the problem? :help:

For some details:

The box says the motherboard is a Winfast NF4UK8AA
Belarc, however, reports it as an NF-CK804
AMD Athlon 64 1.8Ghz
Radeon X300/X550 Series
XP Home SP2

All suggestions gratefully received.
:thanks
Michael 		MPG (8302)
694068 2008-08-01 03:58:00 Does the Windows key on the keyboard work?? (if so the Start menu should pop up)

Does the mouse work in Safe Mode?

Have you done a scan for spyware/viruses etc? (download a free copy of Avast (http://www.avast.com)) 		jwil1 (65)
694069 2008-08-01 04:08:00 Its probably this a foxconn mobo (www.foxconnchannel.com)

I would reconfigure the BIOS. Since its set back to the default settings, something may have to be enabled / disabled for whatever to work properly

Looks like google thinks the NF4UK8AA is a foxconn but google says the NF-CK804 is a Winfast NF-CK804?

I would open the case and see if the mobo looks like the above site 		Speedy Gonzales (78)
694070 2008-08-01 04:17:00 Try replacing the motherboard/cmos battery (this normally causes that error if it has gone flat, and the clock/date will be wrong). feersumendjinn (64)
694071 2008-08-01 04:38:00 Thanks jwil1

Finished downloading the personal files. Yes, the keyboard and mouse both work in safe mode. No, I haven't yet looked for viruses. I have just checked and can't see any antivirus programme installed. I know that originally it had PC-cillin installed (IS 2004). I seem to remember that it caused problems. There is also a copy of ZoneAlarm SS floating round in the box. I know the machine went into a computer store in PN (we are in Hamilton) and some attempts were made to remove at least 1 of the antivirus programmes.

My guess is that the 1st task is to scan the machine for viruses. When I get it going again I think I will install Comodo Firewall and Avast.

I need to go out shortly so I prbably won't get back to this little project until tomorrow.

Thanks again 		MPG (8302)
694072 2008-08-01 04:44:00 Thanks Speedy

Curious about the MB reporting. Digging in the box I found the Manual and it is definitely the NF4UK8AA. Not quite sure why Belarc is reporting it as something different. The light has just gone on - isn't Foxcon and Winfast the same outfit?

Thanks any way.
Michael 		MPG (8302)
694073 2008-08-01 04:53:00 Hi feersumendjinn

You might well be right. I did note that the clock seemed to be screwed up. I guess that replacing the MB/comos battery is something that should be done.

Can't see anything in the manual about the battery - no specs. I guess I will need to get into the case to check it. Any thing I should be aware of in changing the battery?

Thanks again.
Michael 		MPG (8302)
694074 2008-08-01 05:04:00 The battery is round and is usually a CR2032 3v. About 2.50 - maybe 3.50

Or less

Make sure the power is off before you remove it.

Then make sure you reconfigure the BIOS, after you replace it

Winfast products / hardware are from Leadtek. (Well they make Winfast soundcards, I've got one here, and the drivers are on the Leadtek site)

And I've also got a Winfast Expert and Deluxe tuner, both of their drivers are also on the Leadtek site. 		Speedy Gonzales (78)
694075 2008-08-03 22:05:00 Hi Guys

Changed the battery as suggested. Got a bunch more error messages but after another reboot they all seem to have disppeared.

Haven't as yet done anything about reconfiguring the BIOS. Not quite sure what I should be doing. Suggestions welcome!

Downloaded a bunch of utilities and installed. Have scanned with Avast and Malwarebytes - didn't find any nasties.

Current status:

In safe mode everthing I have tried seems to be working.
When I boot normally, everthing is OK until I get to the desktop and the hdd has stopped working. At that point I have noted the following:

1. Mouse pointer moves round screen but nothing works.
2. Keyboard does nothing - including MS key.
3 ctrl+alt+del doesn't work.
4. The on/off button doesn't work. Either have to turn the power off at the wall or use the reset button.

Where to from here? All suggestions welcome.

Thanks guys.
Michael 		MPG (8302)
694076 2008-08-03 22:09:00 So it's all sweet in safe mode..?

In safe mode, open msconfig (Type msconfig into the run box).

Go to the startup tab, and disable everything. Reboot and let the PC boot up into windows normally.

See if it still freezes. if it doesn't, go into msconfig and tick one thing, then reboot, see if it freezes. Keep doing that and eventually you'll find which process is causing the freezing.

Also posting a hijackthis log wouldn't be silly, we can make sure there's nothing obvious causing your issues. :badpc: 		wratterus (105)
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