Did I break it ?

[Stilgarr]

First off, thankyou in advance for any help provided. Only just found these forums and have a feeling they are going to be very helpful

I picked up a shiny new PC yesterday much to the annoyance of the wife (oops) and everything seemed to be running nicley untill I wanted to use an old HDD like a USB memory stick for file transferes.

I plugged it in and a little message popped up saying device installed (i think), but I could not find it anywhere. No folder or options as to which way I'd want to view the files and nothing on the "Computer" tab. It was like there was nothing plugged in. I know it should work as it shows on the wifes laptop with 32bit Vista on it.

A friend with a bit more Vista experience tried to install WMD from a menu which came up as failed and now tries to install on every time I switch the machine on.

But also, now when I click the "Computer" tab, explorer crashes and hangs. Task manager tries to close it but nothing happens, so I have to reset the PC. It seems like the HDD is searching for something while it tries to close.


Could my HDD be at fault or should I just reinstall Vista and cross my fingers ?

Games and the internet work fine, but I can't access the computer tab.


any help would be great.

 

[sidney1st]

Do you see your USB device in my Computer/Manage/Disk Management
If yes, assign a letter.
If not: reboot with the device plugged in.

 

[Stilgarr]

Nope saw nothing there.

Tried to reboot with it plugged in and still nothing happened.

But once my mate tried to install the WMD thing I cant access the my computer tab anymore, it just crashes explorer sadly.

Everything else seems ok, brought the files across from the wifes laptop.

I'm more worried about the crashing than the USB to b honest, I now know about public folders so used them on both machines to move things over. But explorer hanging is unerving at best.

It dont really help that I know next to nothing about Vista, would be nice if MS pt an "instructions written in crayon" folder for me

 

[solonfox]

What you did, shouldn't break it. I can think of lots of possibilities as to potential registry errors... but, in consideration of the newness of the PC being less than 48 hours since you bought it, how do you feel about using the recovery CD to set it back to the way it was when you brought it home?

You could try doing a System Restore - Start, key in 'System Restore' enter. If there is a restore point prior to plugging in the USB drive that would be the way to go, otherwise run the recovery CD.

Perhaps someone else will have a better idea as to exactly what happened?

-solon fox

 

[Stilgarr]

Will look for a recovery disk when i get in. Only found the Vista box and disc so far.

Good point on the restore though, might try that and see if one has been set by the guys that made the PC. If they set one after testing and before shipping them I'm in luck


btw how do I get Vista to stop asking questions every 2 mins ? have expertview installed and every startup I get asked if I want to let it run. Any options to switch it off or a box to tick to say run everytime ?


sorry for being a pita, will get the hang of things eventually.

 

[solonfox]

Will look for a recovery disk when i get in. Only found the Vista box and disc so far.
...
btw how do I get Vista to stop asking questions every 2 mins ? have expertview installed and every startup I get asked if I want to let it run. Any options to switch it off or a box to tick to say run everytime ?


sorry for being a pita, will get the hang of things eventually.

Well, there is a lot too UAC and I'm kinda against the willy nilly shutting it off sort of thing. In your case, I would suggest the tutorial on this site - http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/80938-user-account-control-uac-elevate-privilege-level.html

There's a lot to learn about UAC, of course you could just shut it off for now and learn later. http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/48893-user-account-control-uac.html

There is also a TweakUAC utility that is right for some people. It may be right for you and it may not. Disable Annoying Vista UAC popups with TweakUAC (free!) What is TweakUAC?

I hope this helps.
-solon fox

BTW - once you get your settings back, we can figure out what went bonkers with the USB drive thing - after setting a restore point of course.

 

[Stilgarr]

Well i rang the Pc place and ran the Vista restore so it went back to factory settings, but still no joy on the explorer crashing when i try to open the computer tab.

Just done the updates and other bits so will see what they say about this crashing, but so far it's driving me mad


Gonna have a look through the links too m8, thanks for those.

 

[solonfox]

Okay that busts me.

I can't figure how the recovery failed to solve the problem. I can't think of anything that you could've done to cause this either.

I'd ask the place you bought it to replace it. I'd just give them the abridged version, I bought this two days ago and Start->Computer crash! WTH??

Sorry man.

-solon fox

 

[johngalt]

I can - installing whatever WMD is - the files are still there - even if the registry is not....

 

[Stilgarr]

Well I think I might of solved one problem and found another yay lol.


Reset the machine to some sort of end user state but explorer still crashed. Rang the PC firm and finally got hold of a guy who would actually try things out.

Ran a memory test and the screen went blank, so he told me it failed the test and to retry it with 1 stick in each time (tonights job).but I find it odd my PC can still see 4gb on startup, and even in the system info stuff.


He then asked if the USB drive was an old HDD in an enclosure so ofc I replied yes.
Uplugged it and reset the PC and the computer tab now works perfectly. Plug the drive in and it goes pear shaped. Apparently he found the same thing happening on another machine and SP1 appears to fix it. So he said to try and force an install of SP1.

Tried to get SP1, but the MS site throws up something about using the updater only to install stuff, but no option to get SP1 in there

Any direct links for it, or is it a bad idea ?


The PC works like a dream for the most part, cracking framerates in WoW, Crysis and C+C3 so far

Thanks very much for the help and links guys, really appreciate it.

 

[roy69]

take it back to the shop. It is not up to yu to open the machine as it will invalidate the warrenty. If the person at the shop told you to open the machine to swap memory stick around then he/she was wrong. Get the shop to fix the problem. If the machine is new they HAVE to give you a full refund or a new machine.

 

[Stilgarr]

It's not a shop I can take it back to sadly so will be DHL to send it and get it back. Paid for by them.

I rang the place up and me opening the case and checking the memory will not affect the warranty either. Asked the to send me an e-mail conformation of this too which they have. So I'm covered there.

If the memory test fails then I can either get them to post a new stick out, which still leaves me a machine to use. Or send the whole thing back for a replacement.

I'm ok when it comes to inside of a PC, so know what I'm looking for ect. It's just Vista I'm a complete muppet with.

Perhaps something came loose during transit, which is possible I guess.

But either way they will be sending something out to fix it. Be it a RAM stick (fingers crossed) or a new machine (2 days with no toy is a bummer).


Thanks everyone once again guys

 

[solonfox]

I wouldn't go SP1 unless the Windows Update offers it. SP1 will only be offered through Windows Update when your machine is valid for it in terms of drivers and even a few odd applications.

I went through and found that I needed a new Sigmatel Audio driver, NVidia driver and as it turned out Conexant modem driver and bios. Once I was up-to-date on these, SP1 went on without a hitch. However, I do not recommend people in general go out and do this. Windows Update will offer you the needed drivers when they are available. My advice is to simply wait for it.

-solon fox

p.s. I'm glad to see your other problem is out of the way and it sounds like you are on the right path with the bad memory stick.

 

[Stilgarr]

aahh i'll leave well alone then, thanks for that.

I picked up the lastest Nvidia drivers last night and the updater is offering other but thankfully only as suggestions.

I'm hoping it's just 1 stick thats come loose (doubtful) or just iffy and they can sort a replacement while I happily enjoy my new toy

Got lots of reading to do here, Vista is taking some getting used to but it's growing on me

 

[Dwarf]

Hi,

I have to agree with what Roy has to say as regards warranty. Your contract is with the retailer. The retailer has a contract both with you AND the computer manufacturer. In most, if not all, cases, the warranty is a MANUFACTURER'S WARRANTY. That means that the retailer was incorrect in saying that you opening the case would not invalidate it. The only way that this could be done without invalidating your warranty would be if you got authorisation, either directly from the manufacturer or from the retailer with the permission of the manufacturer. Of course, if the retailer is also the manufacturer, then they can give you authorisation and permission directly. Before you do open your case (if that is what you are going to do), make a HARD copy of the email that the retailer sent you and keep it safe. You may need to refer to that if there are any problems. If it turns out that the manufacturer has not given the retailer permission to authorise you to open your case then the warranty can be declared null and void by the manufacturer, so beware. However, this is a brand new machine. As such, you would expect it to operate correctly. If, when you plug a USB device in the machine fails to detect it (especially when the device works on another machine), then this indicates some form of hardware or other inherent fault on your machine. I therefore have only one recommendation to make - EXERCISE YOUR WARRANTY! It is upto the retailer to arrange for things to be put right and with a machine of only a few days old s/he cannot insist on you accepting a repair. You have the right of either requesting a refund or a NEW machine. At the end of the day, though, the decision on what to do is yours - we can't make that for you, but only give advice. Remember that if your PC is showing symptoms of not working properly after a couple of days, just think what it would be like after a few months. I certainly wouldn't rely on a system like that to safeguard important documents and other data such as digital photographs etc.
Dwarf

 

[badognobisc]

Windows Vista Service Pack 1 make sure to grab the correct version for your pc ie 64 or 32

 

[Stilgarr]

Thanks for all the help here guys.

It's going back to them this week as something just dont seem quite right with it.

It wont recognise the old HDD in a USB enclosure but anything else sych as a 360 pad works fine.
Ran the memory tests which made it to 100% with no problems and promptly sent the screen blank and the PC stopped responding.
Only reads CD's when it feels like it now.

So they are getting a call today to come and collect it and to send me a total new replacement. With a bit of luck they will just have the courier exchange the old machine with the new one. At least that way I'm not left with a £700+ blank space on my desk.

Shame though as it runs the DMC4 demo like a rocket, looked better than on the 360

 

[roy69]

Most retailers are no to bad. I had a courier pick up a PSU the day after I phoned the manufacturer. I had a replacement delivered to my door 3 days later after the factory said it was faulty.

 

[Stilgarr]

Well the place is picking up the machine tomorrow and building a new one that will arrive on Friday.

Just got to keep the Vista disc and monitor and they will send the new base unit out.

That should sort all the problems out nice and easy