snakedoc
04-12-2009, 11:45 AM
Need some PC help? Read on.
We all have little problems with our PCs from time to time. Here at Novatech forums, we pride ourselves on the quality support from both the shop and the forum members. If you do have an issue with your PC, be it a Novatech bought one or not, please feel free to post any questions you may have.
Please always open your post with the full system specifications on your PC. Things which are helpful:
1 Which version of Windows or Linux you are using
2 Make and model of your CPU
3 Make and model of your Motherboard.
4 How much RAM you have installed, make and model and how many slots are populated
5 Make and model of you Graphics card and which version of driver you are using.
6 Sound card details (If relevant)
7 Quite important one this, make and model of your PSU and it's rated output in Watts.
8 Size and type of hard drive (SATA PATA[IDE])and amount of free space.
If you are unsure how to get this information, we can still possibly help you, so don't be shy and post your question!
The below links are to software which can help identify your hardware:
http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php (http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php)
http://www.cpuid.com/hwmonitor.php (http://www.cpuid.com/hwmonitor.php)
Please, note down carefully and tell us the specific text of any error messages that appear.(Thanks Mr Goose) Commonly known as a BSOD, the Blue Screen Of Death is a often seen error screen. Sometimes they can flash up for just a moment, not giving you time to read. Try the following:
1 Access System Properties by either going into Control Panel and clicking the icon, or right click on Computer/My Computer and select "Properties" from the drop down menu.
2 Click "Advanced" or "Advanced System settings" to open the "System Properties" screen.
3 Click "Advanced" tab
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/4741/advancedl.jpg
4 Under "Startup and Recovery", click "Settings"
5 Untick "Automaticall restart" under "System failure"
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/1830/startupy.jpg
This will now give you time to copy the BSOD information.
A picture paints a thousand words!
http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv318/I3R0K3N7FEET/DSC02072.jpg
Sometimes, it can help if you can take a photo to upload.
If you need to take a screenshot you can press the <prt scr> button which is usually situated to the top right of the keyboard.
After you have pressed <prt scr>, open up paint or any similar program and paste. Crop and resize as needed. Ideally a maxium of 800*600 for forum posts unless this makes it unreadable. Save the image as a Jpeg (.jpg) and upload the image to http://imageshack.us/ You can insert the image into your post or just a post the direct link to the image.
(Thanks to Death9000)
We may still ask you for further information, so keep an eye on your thread. Remember, we are all volunteers here and some of us work in IT and are system builders while others are enthusiasts . We offer our advice free of charge.*
*We cannot be held responsible for any issues which arise from any advice given.
We all have little problems with our PCs from time to time. Here at Novatech forums, we pride ourselves on the quality support from both the shop and the forum members. If you do have an issue with your PC, be it a Novatech bought one or not, please feel free to post any questions you may have.
Please always open your post with the full system specifications on your PC. Things which are helpful:
1 Which version of Windows or Linux you are using
2 Make and model of your CPU
3 Make and model of your Motherboard.
4 How much RAM you have installed, make and model and how many slots are populated
5 Make and model of you Graphics card and which version of driver you are using.
6 Sound card details (If relevant)
7 Quite important one this, make and model of your PSU and it's rated output in Watts.
8 Size and type of hard drive (SATA PATA[IDE])and amount of free space.
If you are unsure how to get this information, we can still possibly help you, so don't be shy and post your question!
The below links are to software which can help identify your hardware:
http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php (http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php)
http://www.cpuid.com/hwmonitor.php (http://www.cpuid.com/hwmonitor.php)
Please, note down carefully and tell us the specific text of any error messages that appear.(Thanks Mr Goose) Commonly known as a BSOD, the Blue Screen Of Death is a often seen error screen. Sometimes they can flash up for just a moment, not giving you time to read. Try the following:
1 Access System Properties by either going into Control Panel and clicking the icon, or right click on Computer/My Computer and select "Properties" from the drop down menu.
2 Click "Advanced" or "Advanced System settings" to open the "System Properties" screen.
3 Click "Advanced" tab
http://img132.imageshack.us/img132/4741/advancedl.jpg
4 Under "Startup and Recovery", click "Settings"
5 Untick "Automaticall restart" under "System failure"
http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/1830/startupy.jpg
This will now give you time to copy the BSOD information.
A picture paints a thousand words!
http://i695.photobucket.com/albums/vv318/I3R0K3N7FEET/DSC02072.jpg
Sometimes, it can help if you can take a photo to upload.
If you need to take a screenshot you can press the <prt scr> button which is usually situated to the top right of the keyboard.
After you have pressed <prt scr>, open up paint or any similar program and paste. Crop and resize as needed. Ideally a maxium of 800*600 for forum posts unless this makes it unreadable. Save the image as a Jpeg (.jpg) and upload the image to http://imageshack.us/ You can insert the image into your post or just a post the direct link to the image.
(Thanks to Death9000)
We may still ask you for further information, so keep an eye on your thread. Remember, we are all volunteers here and some of us work in IT and are system builders while others are enthusiasts . We offer our advice free of charge.*
*We cannot be held responsible for any issues which arise from any advice given.