Dell Desktop Problems

[SithMaster]

So a coworker is having problems with his pc.  The way he described it was a black screen with an error message along the top.  Below that were colored bars(red, green, then blue).  Unfortunately he didn't know the exact message or the model number of the computer so until I find that out I was hoping someone on the forum might have had a similar problem.  I figure a virus deleted video drivers or something so perhaps a repair install would work.  I'm not familiar with Dell Installation disks, but do they have that feature or am I better off using another version (tinyxp?)?  Thanks.

[punxrus]

Easy fix...get rid of the Dell. 

[CCM]

Try booting into safe mode if possible and try running some scans.  If all else fails do a system restore.

[missioncontrol]

yep try safe mode first

[ChadTower]

Tell him to get the error message or you can't help him.  Few things are more frustrating than trying to help someone with a PC problem that is giving you vague info like that.  He may as well bring ask about his car and say "it's making a weird noise".

[Ginsu Victim]

Typical computer repair scenario:

Me "What did you do?"

Them "Nothing, it just started doing it"

Work for three hours, then they come up...

Them "Well, I might've done this."

Click, click, fixed.

Me "Don't call me again"

----

Here's the last phone call I got:

"Hey, I need your help. I went to a site that said I could watch movies that are new in the theater, I downloaded their player, and now I think I have a virus. What should I do?"

"I don't know. I don't get viruses. I'm smart enough not to do what you did."

[SithMaster]

I plan on calling him today to get more info which will probably contradict what he already gave me.  I'm going to have to teach him how to use AVG, Spybot, and adAware since I don't think he's scanned his pc in 6 years.

Typical computer repair scenario:

Me "What did you do?"

Them "Nothing, it just started doing it"

Work for three hours, then they come up...

Them "Well, I might've done this."

Click, click, fixed.

Me "Don't call me again"

----

Here's the last phone call I got:

"Hey, I need your help. I went to a site that said I could watch movies that are new in the theater, I downloaded their player, and now I think I have a virus. What should I do?"

"I don't know. I don't get viruses. I'm smart enough not to do what you did."

Maybe it's just my friends but it seems that every month someone has something fubar up and I'm the only one who thinks of using google to find the solution.

[ChadTower]

I don't think he's scanned his pc in 6 years.

"Dude, your PC is 6 years old.  That's your problem."

[xar256]

So a coworker is having problems with his pc.  The way he described it was a black screen with an error message along the top.  Below that were colored bars(red, green, then blue).  Unfortunately he didn't know the exact message or the model number of the computer so until I find that out I was hoping someone on the forum might have had a similar problem.  I figure a virus deleted video drivers or something so perhaps a repair install would work.  I'm not familiar with Dell Installation disks, but do they have that feature or am I better off using another version (tinyxp?)?  Thanks.

Sounds like the kind of thing Dell monitor display when they aren't getting a video signal (Message is "No Sync" or something like that).  Have him check his cables and make sure the pc is actually on.

[punxrus]

So a coworker is having problems with his pc.  The way he described it was a black screen with an error message along the top.  Below that were colored bars(red, green, then blue).  Unfortunately he didn't know the exact message or the model number of the computer so until I find that out I was hoping someone on the forum might have had a similar problem.  I figure a virus deleted video drivers or something so perhaps a repair install would work.  I'm not familiar with Dell Installation disks, but do they have that feature or am I better off using another version (tinyxp?)?  Thanks.

Sounds like the kind of thing Dell monitor display when they aren't getting a video signal (Message is "No Sync" or something like that).  Have him check his cables and make sure the pc is actually on.

I would have to agree...my Dell LCD's at work do the same thing when they have no video source. Always check the cables first...it can save you a lot of time.

[CCM]

Damn, if his PC is 6 years old tell your buddy to get off his wallet and buy a new one.  If I were you I wouldn't waste my time trying to fix it.

[SithMaster]

Damn, if his PC is 6 years old tell your buddy to get off his wallet and buy a new one.  If I were you I wouldn't waste my time trying to fix it.

Except my computer is probably around that age as well.  He's running internet explorer so I don't think I should tell him to go out and get a quad core running vista since that might make me hypocritical.  Is it that common now for everyone to throw out their computers yearly now?  I still have a 486 from my childhood so I guess that has to go too right?

I saw him again today and asked if the video cable might be unplugged.  He thought for a bit and said his wife was messing with it so its a possibility.  I've never had that problem so if thats the only thing wrong then my work is done.

[AtomSmasher]

Is it that common now for everyone to throw out their computers yearly now? 

Since the mid ninties (when I built my first computer) I've had a fairly regular update schedule.  Every two years I either update my video card or my mobo/cpu/ram, which keeps my computer fairly up to date.  Of course I also like to play the latest and greatest video games on my main computer, which is why I like to keep it updated.  The computer I use for work (which doesn't use any graphically intensive programs) is 6 years old now and still works perfectly for what I use it for. 

The main reason to update is if there is new software you want to use, but it doesn't work on your current machine.  If he only runs IE and is happy with the performance, then theres no reason for him (or you) to upgrade.

[CCM]

Damn, if his PC is 6 years old tell your buddy to get off his wallet and buy a new one.  If I were you I wouldn't waste my time trying to fix it.

Except my computer is probably around that age as well.  He's running internet explorer so I don't think I should tell him to go out and get a quad core running vista since that might make me hypocritical.  Is it that common now for everyone to throw out their computers yearly now?  I still have a 486 from my childhood so I guess that has to go too right?

I saw him again today and asked if the video cable might be unplugged.  He thought for a bit and said his wife was messing with it so its a possibility.  I've never had that problem so if thats the only thing wrong then my work is done.

I'm pretty sure internet explorer works with Vista....   

6 years is actually pretty old for a computer.  If you have one that old or older and it still works, by all means keep using it.  My point was that is not worth a lot of time or money to fix a 6 year old computer when you can get a new one for $300 or $400.... especially if he is only 'running internet exploer'.