Windows Vista or just an old computer?

[aliaspinky]

Ok, So.. I was having trouble with installing itunes. I had uninstalled it because it wouldnt update.. after about 3 1/2 hours total on the phone with Apple tech support, we came to the conclusion that something was probably wrong with Vista. During the phone call they had me do countless things. All of which, failed. During the call, after a restart my computer was unresponsive, the mute button would not change colors when i tapped it, and the button that dis/ables the mouse touch pad would not change color either. My computer was frozen. I then attempted to use safe mode (by pressing f8 repetedly at startup). I hadnt known what safe mode was before the call, but i told the woman on the phone that everytime my computer starts, it shows the safe mode screen + options. Also i have replaced the battery, and battery cord, but still my pc will not hold a charge. i have looked at all of the settings and brought it into a specialist. ( the people who sold me the battery and cord). The computer is not new anymore but has always been kept in good shape. Could it be the OS?

 

[Lottiemansion]

Hi,

There are several answers to this: -

1. The mute button & mouse buttons = system not booted up sufficiently to allow the change.
2. The black screen is perhaps down to the operating system not booting.
3. The battery not holding charge = a bad battery or the motherboard not charging it.

So, it is not that easy to give you a complete answer but would suggest a reset to factory day one (Full reset & recovery).

 

[aliaspinky]

Hi,

There are several answers to this: -

1. The mute button & mouse buttons = system not booted up sufficiently to allow the change.
2. The black screen is perhaps down to the operating system not booting.
3. The battery not holding charge = a bad battery or the motherboard not charging it.

So, it is not that easy to give you a complete answer but would suggest a reset to factory day one (Full reset & recovery).

I thought it could be the battery, so i bought a new battery and a cord for it. Still doesnt hold a charge. with the mute button and mouse pad, i have restarted my computer a couple times and still no luck... should i try taking it to a shop to get vista re downloaded in case there was anything lost during a disk clean-up? couold this mean the motherboard is going bad?

 

[Lottiemansion]

Hi,

The battery charging card is usually a separate card in the laptop (Not part of the main board), therefore should be replaceable (At a cost).

One other point is the power jack on the computer - Is the computer is stable when on mains power?

These "Power jacks" sometimes get damaged & the battery does not charge. Another indicator for this is the computer will be on & off as the connection fails & the battery is flat.

As for the reset to day one. Do you need or want any of the files on the PC now? If not & you feel that a system recovery to day one is needed, then try it!

You should not need to take it to a shop. Pressing F11 or F12 on booting should get you to the recovery options or you could use the recovery disks created when new.

 

[aliaspinky]

My laptop never came with recovery disks

 

[Lottiemansion]

Hi,

If you can load the system, follow these instructions to create the recovery disks: -

Recover Windows Vista Operating System Using HP Recovery HP Pavilion Notebook PCs - HP Customer Care (United States - English)

 

[richc46]

Welcome
If I may,
The excellent advice given by Lottie should help. Here is some additional information, however. If you install Ubuntu, you can see if it is a hardware or software problem. If it is hardware, you will not be able to install Ubuntu
Use Ubuntu Live CD to Backup Files from Your Dead Windows Computer - How-To Geek
Once installed, you can use Ubuntu, to save your stuff. Save your stuff before trying the install procedure outlined by Lottie.
Goodl luck

 

[aliaspinky]

i downloaded Ubuntu and it took over my computer >.< i think i sound kinda stupid but.. is it supposed to do that????? and... do you know how i fix it????

 

[richc46]

At the very beginning of the information, about Ubuntu, that I provided it indicated how the procedure should be done to avoid changes to your computer. If you followed those directions, Windows should still be present and you can save your stuff.

 

[aliaspinky]

i followed them to the best of my knowledge, Im not too computer saavy yet

 

[richc46]

OK, go to your desktop and left click on the computer icon. Once in that icon click on the c drive, do you see Windows?

 

[aliaspinky]

there is nothing that i can click on that says computer, and normally i use internet explorer... but now i have fire fox... >.>

 

[aliaspinky]

this thing is messed up, i just now found where all my old files are..

 

[richc46]

Not a problem. Go to search, by the start button. In search type computer, when you see it, click on it. You will then see the C drive, click on it. Look for Windows

 

[aliaspinky]

no results found

 

[richc46]

If your old files are found, you can use Ubuntu to save your stuff (as planned). Then you can reinstall Windows, You will be like new. Then you upadate with SPs and the other updates.

 

[aliaspinky]

i re-booted and started back on windows vista

 

[richc46]

OK, then it worked the way it was suppose to. If you can back uyp your stuff, do so now.