[Ham-Computers] RE: Computer Gets Stuck on Bootup

[Hsu, Aaron (NBC Universal)]

Hi Carole,

The hang-ups you're seeing are possibly caused by operating system problems or by failing hardware - it's hard to determine without more details about the hardware and OS.  What version of Windows is it running?  And can you give a description of the computer itself?  If it's a "brand name" computer, the brand and model number would be useful.  If it's a generic "white box" computer, then there are tools that will help identify what it's made of, but we need to get the operating system working first.

The computers at my place of employ are on a 3-year retirement schedule - after this period, they're out of warranty and would cost more for us to repair than to replace.  So, once someone's PC is 3-years old, it's scheduled for replacement and the "old" one is eventually donated to a charity or given/sold to a salvage company.  Many "large" companies do this and the old systems are similarily donated.

PC's manufactured in the past 3 years are more than adequate for most uses with "gaming" and other "performance" related applications being the exception.  For example, no-one I know of types any faster on an Intel QX6850 Core2Extreme than they would on a 3-year old 3GHz Pentium-4 processor.  Perhaps you can find a sponsor to donate a "retired" system or even get another grant to purchase a new system.  The cost of computers these days is *MUCH* lower than it was several years ago.

In my professional opinion, given the age of the system, I would recommend that the system be replaced with something new(er).  You can buy HP/Compaq or Dell business systems for about $1000 with a 3-year on-site warranty - even less if you buy a refurb (I've installed many HP/Compaq refurbs and experience only a couple problems - all were handled "on-site").  If you wish to get an idea of what's available as far as Compaq refurbs, here's a link to the HP Business Outlet:

http://www.hp.com/sbso/buspurchase_refurbished.html

For example, they currently have Core2Duo based systems with 512MB RAM and an 80GB HD for under $400.  Add $100 to upgrade the refurb warranty to 3-years.  Just remember that "business" systems don't include "fluff", so you'll need to also buy any programs you wish to run.  I would recommend that you avoid the "ultra slim desktop" (USDT) systems as the hardware is fairly proprietary in terms of size.

Anyways, if you wish to know more about the HP/Compaq refurbs, send me a private e-mail.  If you have more general questions about the problematic system, post it on the list so others can also offer suggestions.

73,

  - Aaron, NN6O


-----Original Message-----
Sent: Tuesday, November 06, 2007 2:36 PM
Subject: [Ham-Computers] Computer Gets Stuck on Bootup

I recently went to work in a law library, a very small place with one computer which was obtained via a grant several years ago.  I've been noticing the computer has some issues.  When I boot it up, it recently began hanging up at the splash screen, and I have to manually shut it down and reboot.  Sometimes I have to do this several times before it will boot up.

Yesterday I received email from a person in another law library regarding a computer they got from the same company via grant, at the same time we got ours.  She said the hard drive on their computer had failed, but that it died a slow death, and one of the problems she had had was getting it to boot up.  Since our computers came from the same place at the same time, do you think it's likely mine is going out too?  I need to bring up this and some other problems with the computer at our board of trustees meeting, and any advice you can give me would be greatly appreciated.  Apparently I have no tech support available, other than to go out and hire someone.

Carole