Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Aces High General Discussion => Topic started by: Flossy on February 08, 2003, 06:14:13 AM
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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.
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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:
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Boot from floppy or windows install disk
Reinstall windows
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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
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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 :D
I too am rather distant, alas.
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Thanks for the replies guys. :) Unfortunately, although the answer may be fairly simple, I think Stamper needs some help with doing this.... :(
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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
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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.
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Got your mail Flossy, I'll ring him tomorrow and sort out times and things.
TTFN
snafu
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Thanks, snafu!
:)
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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.... :o
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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
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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
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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! :)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! ;)
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I still think it's awesome you got him into AH and did (and do) so much for a war vet.
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Originally posted by snafu
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).
The windowsME CAB files will be in a directory off his main windows directory (.ex c:/windows/options/cabs) Make sure you locates his winme product code sticker first. (The code is in the registry - but no help if he cant get the GUI up).
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Heya snafu. :)
I've got Microsoft Office 95 which I don't mind installing on his machine (I know that's illegal, but these are special circumstances). In fact I think I've got a copy of Microsoft Works 95 still in its OEM packaging complete with CD and manual which he can have - I've got Office XP Pro and will never use it.
I don't have XP, so Win98 SE would be the only option from my side of things. Besides, I actually know something about Win98 so that would help.
What do you reckon?
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I've got an unused copy of XP Pro sitting around gathering dust..........
If I were to try to describe the differences between XP pro and 98 I'd just say that XP is automatic everything. If Stamper's PC can run it (big RAM requirement) then I'd be happy to send it over.
But Maxtor is correct, the WinME CD is effectively on the HDD, next person who speaks to Stamper get him to boot into safe mode, open explorer, go to C:/windows/options/cabs/ (or something very similar) and type SETUP. The WinME install process is semi-auto and he shouldn't have any trouble. This will refresh the O/S, however, if it's a hardware problem causing the blue screens this wont help.
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Of course Maxtor, Why didn't I think of that. :o
He can get into safe mode so we could be in business..
I shall be speaking to him tonight hopefully but if anyone speaks to him 1st the product code he will need is in.......
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\Current Version
Then look for "Product Key" in the right hand pane.
At least this might get him back up and running then perhaps a move to a real operating system ;) could be done when things aren't so desperate.
Dowding, Perhaps if we go this route you could do it for him. I'm assuming the installation will probably ask for the CD a few times and need pointing at the cabs folder for a few files.
TTFN
snafu
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Just a quick Punt.......
Stamper wishes to thank one and all for there input in helping to try to solve this one. Unfortunately it appeared the corruption of his windows directory extended into the "options/cabs" and therefore a reinstallation of ME was not possible.
However he has a friend at PC World who agreeing the original restore disk was also corrupt has recovered the system back to it's original state. Unlike most of us he has backups of all his important documents etc (Makes mental note....). so he is almost back in business. He should be back bombing our Cities fairly shortly.
Floss,
He may need some help with ID & password etc for Aces High and also Did he have Mitsu's sounds or anything I only explained how to get the base download.
TTFN
snafu
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Originally posted by snafu
However he has a friend at PC World who agreeing the original restore disk was also corrupt has recovered the system back to it's original state.
Good to hear! :DFloss,
He may need some help with ID & password etc for Aces High and also Did he have Mitsu's sounds or anything I only explained how to get the base download.
Hmmm, I think he will have to use the "lost password" facility..... :) Don't think he had anything like Mitsu's sounds installed, so that shouldn't be a problem.
Thanks for all your help, snafu! ;)
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Cool. :)
Does he need Office or MS-Works? Or has he recovered those too? If not I'll drop them in on my way from work on Thursday. I could also put Mitsu's sound pack on CD and get that to him too.
Still got an unused copy of Works going spare if he wants it.
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Stamper has apparently accepted the offer of WindowsXP, which we can actually provide - we could have put it on when we visited, but he wanted to stay with WindowsME at the time. If we can get it to him, it would just need someone to do the installing for him to make sure everything goes OK..... :)
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flossy,
I run a software house with our own maintenance dept here in Worcester.
Give me his address and post code (asap here) or email wayne@secsol.co.uk with it, get him to put the base unit in a box (along with all and or any disks he has) with good packaging, I will get it collected today (12/02/03) and back to him on Friday, fixed and ready to go.
wipass
er cancel that, I just re-read the thread and he appears all fixed up, oops next time maybe
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If it's straightforward, I don't think I'll have a problem doing it. I assume Works 95 functions with XP?
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No idea if he is wanting MS Works or not. Unfortunately, I have just realised we are already at Wednesday and I won't be able to get WindowsXP in the post to him until tomorrow.... hopefully he will have it there by Friday.
Wipass - thanks for your very kind offer! Will bear it in mind if he needs help again! :)
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Update. Apparently he is back up and running on WindowsME OK.... but not yet reinstalled AH, or set up joystick, etc. Is this something you could help him with, Dowding, if you are calling to see him later? He is on ADSL so if AH needs to be downloaded again, it should be fairly quick. :)
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I'll give him a ring and have a chat tonight. If he gets XP for the weekend, I'll go round sat or sunday afternoon with AH, mitsus sound pack and MS-Works and just bang them on his machine. I'll get his joystick set-up too.
Does XP come with instructions on how to install it? Is it an upgrade or clean install? If there are no instructions, does someone want to point me to where I can get them from, or post here how to get up and running?
That would be very helpful. :)
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Dowding its simple to install it, it holds yer hand all the way through basically. I would strongly suggest you do a clean install though, from a clean format
SKurj
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Originally posted by Dowding
I'll give him a ring and have a chat tonight. If he gets XP for the weekend, I'll go round sat or sunday afternoon with AH, mitsus sound pack and MS-Works and just bang them on his machine. I'll get his joystick set-up too.
Actually, when Zeb spoke to Stamper on the phone last night, he seemed quite happy that he had got ME going again, and to be honest we don't think changing to XP will be a good idea. Stamper has enough to think about with learning AH, and learning to use a new OS at the same time might be too confusing and generate more phone calls for help! If you can get his AH installed and joystick set up, that will be enough to get him back in the air. :)
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Update: I'm going round to Stamper's house tomorrow morning to get him up and running. Does he know his password for Aces High?
He says he's been missing AH. :)
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Originally posted by Dowding
Update: I'm going round to Stamper's house tomorrow morning to get him up and running. Does he know his password for Aces High?
He says he's been missing AH. :)
Great! Thanks, Dowding, that's really appreciated. If he doesn't know his password, he will have to use the "Send password" button - email usually arrives within a few minutes. :) Hope all goes well, please give our (me, Zeb and Cloud) regards to Stamper and Betty.... :cool:
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Stamper phoned a short while ago (just as I was starting to eat my lunch, hence the delay in posting! :D ) to say Dowding had got him sorted out and he is back up and running in Aces High! Thanks, Dowding - and to everyone else who offered help - it is greatly appreciated!
;)
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It's really the least I could do.
He's a smashing fella with some really interesting stories and his wife is lovely. :)
I liked the story of the ex-SAS bloke throwing a fellow student out of a window. :D
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LOL, he's a great story-teller! :D Don't think I heard that one though! There were so many while we were there, I forget.... :)
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I think everyone in the Aces High community should move to a central location so we can help each other out like this.
How about California?
;)
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Gets my vote - sun and skiing. :)
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WTG Dowding!!