Author Topic: Stamper needs urgent help (Read 1385 times)

Flossy · « **on:** February 08, 2003, 06:14:13 AM »

Just had a phone call from Stamper who is having severe computer problems - blue screen of death every time he switches it on.......

Is there anyone in the Sheffield UK area who can possibly help him? We would help, but are 160 miles away and our car is having problems anyway, so we are not able to travel that distance at the moment to help him. Dowding? Anyone else? Hope someone can help him get sorted out, he is frantic.

I have his address and phone details, so if anyone can assist Stamper, please drop me an email...... thanks.

ALF · « **Reply #1 on:** February 08, 2003, 08:22:10 AM »

While its a tad (3000 miles) far for me, I can tell you that if they are getting BSOD directly at boot, and cannot boot into safe mode....there is only one solution:

-------------------------------
Boot from floppy or windows install disk

Reinstall windows
-------------------------------

If you can get into safe mode, reinstalling windows is the only sure way, and certainly the easiest (as in, you'll pull out less of your hair) way.

If after reinstall, you still get BSOD, or if you cannot get floppy/cd boot to work (it hangs up or whatever) it very likely a hardware issue....start with RAM, then video card....anything further and you are getting into the realm of "I gotta be there" to fix it territory.

hope this helps

qts · « **Reply #2 on:** February 08, 2003, 08:29:15 AM »

I see these problems every week with Win 9x and Win NT. If he's running W2000 or XP he should be able to boot from the CD and attempt a Repair. Better would be to first put the HDD as a second drive to another W2000/XP install and run CHKDSK against it.

If he's running W9x, then he should take the opportunity to upgrade

I too am rather distant, alas.

Flossy · « **Reply #3 on:** February 08, 2003, 08:52:48 AM »

Thanks for the replies guys.

Unfortunately, although the answer may be fairly simple, I think Stamper needs some help with doing this....

snafu · « **Reply #4 on:** February 08, 2003, 11:00:04 AM »

Hi Flossy,
I live about 20miles from Birmingham (N). Unfortunately this weekend is impossible for me to get across

. But I work in Birmingham and although I have to visit my dad in Hospital straight after work I am more than happy to visit Stamper afterwards (Monday night). I'm sure this is of no help as Neimen is probably the issue here, but if it's still broke and he wants a second brain to look at it (not new but one careful owner and very little use) I'm more than happy to pay Stamper a visit.

I'll mail you my mobile number if you like.

TTFN
snafu

Flossy · « **Reply #5 on:** February 08, 2003, 11:32:07 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by snafu
I am more than happy to visit Stamper afterwards (Monday night). I'm sure this is of no help as Neimen is probably the issue here, but if it's still broke and he wants a second brain to look at it (not new but one careful owner and very little use) I'm more than happy to pay Stamper a visit.

Thanks for the offer, snafu..... not heard if he has managed to make any progress, but no, Niemen is not the issue. He hasn't been online much so far and is still feeling his way around the MA, I think.

If you can help him, I am sure it will be appreciated.

snafu · « **Reply #6 on:** February 08, 2003, 05:02:48 PM »

Got your mail Flossy, I'll ring him tomorrow and sort out times and things.

TTFN
snafu

Flossy · « **Reply #7 on:** February 08, 2003, 05:40:19 PM »

Thanks, snafu!

Flossy · « **Reply #8 on:** February 09, 2003, 08:20:55 AM »

Where did I get Birmingham from? Must have been because that was where we held the UK Convention. Stamper does, of course, live in the Sheffield area. Amended my original post....

snafu · « **Reply #9 on:** February 09, 2003, 10:50:55 AM »

LOL Flossy,
When he said Sheffield I thought I had been set up.

While Sheffield is about 80 miles from me. If all else fails I will still try to get across, just not sure when

. After speaking to him the problem is it's WINME (Which I no nothing of) and it's a pre installed system so other that a recovery disk Stamper has no software CD's (And the Recovery disk doesn't work apparently).

He said the system will however boot into "safe mode" which is better than nothing. I reckon we need a WINME installation CD and/or install a proper O/S.

Has anyone got an ME CD? Can you "Reinstall ME" over ME? I've done it with 98 as a short term fix, but like I say I have no experience with ME.

Sorry I can't be more help at present

TTFN
snafu

OIO · « **Reply #10 on:** February 09, 2003, 03:21:38 PM »

Flossy, if its windows 95 or 98 have him use the windows CD to boot up into DOS MODE.

Then have him type:

scanreg /restore

On the options given to him, have him choose the one with the date a DAY before his computer went FUBAR if its there. Then press enter.

The computer will reboot, let it reboot. If it gives teh BSOD again, have him repeat the process using an earlier date. Repeat until you run out of dates or until it boots into windows. Usually you only get 3 or 4 dates to choose from.

If this does not work then he probably will have reinstall windows.

A last ditch thing he could try is to copy a friend's computer (that HAS to use the SAME operating system as his, this is IMPORTANT) and copy the kernel32.dll file & have him copy it via DOS into his computer, sometimes the BSODs are cause by messed up kernel32's.

Good luck!

Flossy · « **Reply #11 on:** February 09, 2003, 04:22:09 PM »

Quote

Originally posted by OIO
Flossy, if its windows 95 or 98 have him use the windows CD to boot up into DOS MODE.

Unfortunately, its not.... he is using Windows ME.... thanks anyway. Being around 80 years old, what he needs is somebody living nearby to go and give him "hands on" help. Just wish we lived a bit nearer.

Dowding · « **Reply #12 on:** February 10, 2003, 03:55:41 AM »

Heya Flossy!

I meant to give him a ring this weekend - I didn't think it was anything computer related, just something to do with gameplay so didn't think it was that urgent. I should have rung him saturday night when I had the chance.

Anyway, I've got dinner with clients tonight, but I'll try to give him a buzz before I go out. My weekday evenings are busy until thursday - should have some time to visit him then.

I ain't too hot at configuring systems - I've only ever installed Win98 SE on my own PC so I doubt I could solve the problem on my own, but I could at least try suggestions you guys give me.

The only thing I can suggest is that we ditch ME and I use my copy of Win 98 SE as a fresh install on his machine. I can burn Aces High, up to date explorer etc onto CDs and we should have him back online in no time. I don't see any other option at the moment.

BTW, what's his surname? I'm not going to ring him up and ask for 'Stamper' - that would be a bit weird.

snafu · « **Reply #13 on:** February 10, 2003, 06:04:15 AM »

Hey Dowding,
Ya gotta ask for Stamper

(I had to). I think it is a nickname he is generally known by (Not just an AH handle). I had arranged to meet him half way between Sheffield and B'ham later this week and get his PC here but obviously as you live so much nearer that would be the best bet. I agree either moving to 98SE or even XP will probably save a lot of headaches in the long run. The only problem I can see are his general documents which I think are created with MS Works. He does not have the installation CD's (Just a recovery disk for ME). I'm sure if those can be saved before the reinstall they can be converted to another package he could use.

TTFN
snafu

Flossy · « **Reply #14 on:** February 10, 2003, 06:31:43 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by Dowding
I meant to give him a ring this weekend - I didn't think it was anything computer related, just something to do with gameplay so didn't think it was that urgent. I should have rung him saturday night when I had the chance.

Originally, that is all it was, but this problem started on Saturday morning, which is why I posted this message here. Without his computer, of course, he has no access to the internet and is somewhat in limbo. If you and snafu can sort him out between you, it would be greatly appreciated - and I think ditching Windows ME would be a definite improvement!

Quote

BTW, what's his surname? I'm not going to ring him up and ask for 'Stamper' - that would be a bit weird.

His surname is Metcalfe, but his name actually is Stamper (Stamphord), so asking for Stamper is OK. Thanks for your assistance..... just wish we lived a bit closer!