Reconnecting PC
 

Hi :)

I set up a PC for my mum (windows xp) and all was going well until..:disturbd:

She decided to move it to another room. Sounds simple enough but when she now starts the PC up, she gets the black set up screen (which gives you options of F1/F12 and doesn't continue on to windows anymore.

What do you think she has done? Is it as simple as she has put the cables back incorrectly?

Thanks for your help - I'm ok when I'm looking at something but she lives quite far away so I'm unable to help her at the moment.

Saffron ;)

Re: Reconnecting PC
 

If it was working before, it should be working now.....get her to make sure all the cables are secure and in the right slot....even f you have to sit on the phone and go through it with her.

Re: Reconnecting PC
 

Does this system go past the "post" stage? (detecting hard drives, memory, cd-roms etc)

If it doesn't then its possibly a drive failure.

Re: Reconnecting PC
 

Probably dislodged an IDE cable - cant' see the drive - can't boot..
( just a guess :angel: )

Re: Reconnecting PC
 

Heh, I was thinking of that actually, gave it a little bump, probably just a cable loose inside. Hopefully not a really big bump, other wise could be HDD problem :(

Re: Reconnecting PC
 

A very common problem when moving from one room to another is that any interface cards fitted can become loose & cause problems.
Either that or a cable may have fallen out of the motherboard/back of the drives.

I'd open it up (while unplugged from the mains) and just push all the RAM/3.5" & hard drive leads & any interface leads back into place.

Try to remove any static buildup first by touching a ground point first.

Re: Reconnecting PC
 

Thanks all :) I will try your suggestions.

It just doesn't sound like she has put the cables in the wrong place to me, as you say it seems like something may be loose :/

I don't see how putting the cables in incorrectly could cause this (which my mum thinks is the problem).

Saff :)

Re: Reconnecting PC
 

She may have the mouse and keyboard plugs in the wrong places.....

Re: Reconnecting PC
 

Maybe :) but I'm not sure how that would affect windows booting up?surely then the mouse and keyboard would not just work.

I hope it is as simple as that - that is something I can fix :)

Saff :)

Re: Reconnecting PC
 

If the mouse and keyboard were plugged in wrong, the BIOS would really show a message saying "keyboard and mouse failure" or something like that, depending on the BIOS type.

Re: Reconnecting PC
 

That should do the trick though I would just point out that it is reccomended to leave the computer plugged into the mains with the mains switch off, this earths the PC and in most cases removes the need for anti-static wristbands and such :) simply touch the side of the case before you do anything and it will dischage any static from your body (Just dont go dragging your feet around on the carpet or rubbing balloons on your shirt while you work :D )