IT Queries: Computer problems answered

I reformatted my desktop yesterday, but my problem is i lost my CD for the motherboard drivers and now when I check on the internet I’m having a hard time finding my board driver. Anyone can help me to find my board driver? My motherboard is V6DU. thanks.

The downloads for your motherboard can be found at the Jetway website. Download the chipset drivers along with the video and sound drivers as this will give your computer a major speed boot.

In future, before reformatting make sure you have all the drivers and other important software before starting. Also make sure you have all your critical passwords.

My computer makes a noise like an engine and regularly blacks out. What could be the problem?

It sounds like it is a heat related problem. The noise is a defective fan and because heat isn’t being dragged off important components, the computer overheats and shuts down.

You must get this seen to by a computer technician as keeping a computer overheating will eventually damage it and you might lose data. Depending on the age of the computer and the damage already done this will cost between $50 and several hundred dollars.

If the computer’s more than five years you may want to replace it.

I installed a new monitor, which worked fine until I tried to adjust the display settings to improve the fonts. Then I got a black screen and a message that said I have the wrong frequency. Now I can’t see anything to reset the default display. I know the monitor works because I can see the computer name and Windows logo at boot up. How do I get to settings again?

You’ll need to start the computer in Safe Mode. Once in Safe Mode, Click Start, Control Panel and choose Display.

In the Display properties, click on the Settings tab and move the slider under the heading Screen Resolution to the left.

When you reboot the computer, the display will be back at 16 colors. You can then move it back to the proper resolution.

If this happens in future, don’t panic. If you wait ten seconds WITHOUT touching the mouse or keyboard the screen will go back to the previous setting.

My pc seems to be getting slower what ways are there to speed it up before I decide to go out and buy more speed for it?

I assume you mean getting more memory when you say “buy more speed for it”. In my view, adding memory is always a good idea to give a sluggish computer a boost.

In this case though we’d recommend you give your computer a clean up just to see if that will give it a speed boost. First, try uninstalling any unnecessary programs. Only remove programs you know and don’t use: If you don’t know what it does, leave it alone.

The next step is to make sure your system is clean with a spyware check.

Once you are sure the system is clear of nasties, run a clean up tool to flush out accumulated junk. We recommend CCleaner or Cleanup! Make sure you backup important data files first.

With all of that done, it can be worthwhile checking your disk for minor errors. The Chkdsk tool built into Windows is as good as any.

If you find all of this hasn’t improved speed then you should speak to your local computer tech about the upgrading options.

Hard drives are complex and precision engineered pieces of equipment and saving files on them is a complex business. Sometimes the computer can forget forget exactly where it has saved files.

When this happens, computers slow down as the system has to search for files when it needs them.

To overcome this problem in Windows computers, you can run the Check Disk command. Click Start, Run and type Chkdsk c: /r in the box. On Windows Vista machines click Find and do likewise.

The c: refers to the main disk drive. If you have more drives you can insert d:, e: or whatever. Note this won’t work with CD and DVD drives but it will with external and flash drives.

A black box will appear and if you’ve chosen the C: drive or any other drive that’s in use, it tell you the drive is locked and do you want to run chkdsk the next time you start the computer. Type Y (for yes) and press the enter key.

If the drive is in use as a network or data drive, you may be asked if you want to dismount the drive. Press N (for no) and then Y for the next question.

When you restart the computer a blue screen will appear telling you a disk check has been scheduled and press any key to cancel. Leave the computer alone and let it run.

Be warned this process might take several hours. Once the process starts, you cannot cancel the operation and the computer must not be restarted.

If Chkdsk detects bad blocks on the hard drive, then you should contact your computer expert immediately as your hard drive is probably beginning to fail.

I have a hp m9080a running windows vista ultimate. When i goto double click on internet explorer, a clicking/ticking noise starts to come from inside the computer. This noise continues to happen every few seconds while ever the internet explorer screen is up. the IE screen however stays blank and doesnt actually load the website. My PC is less than 6 months old. Your help would be much appreciated.

The ticking noise is probably from the system overheating. Some computers are set to give a warning when the CPU, Central Processing Unit’s, temperature goes above a certain level. The ticking is that warning.

Given this happens when Internet Explorer is opened, it indicates there is a problem with the program. The first suspicion is you have a malware infection so the first recommendation is to check your computer for viruses and Trojans.

If you have trouble opening Internet Explorer, you should be able to go straight to the websites by clicking Start, Run and typing the address into the run box.

If you do this you have to include either the http:// or www. at the start of the address so the computer knows it’s a web page and can use the right program.

We’d also recommend running Firefox and keeping Internet Explorer in reserve for websites that won’t work on anything else.

If the problem continues, it could be you have a hardware fault. As the machine should still be in its warranty, you should contact the manufacturer or retailer.

When I open my CPU there is no message on the monitor and it is all blank. and the red signal lights on the CPU which is the red light is not blinking. is my motherboard or my monitor? thanks.

It sounds like a motherboard problem. The quickest way to find out is to plug another monitor onto the computer and see what happens.

The culprit could be something as simple as a video card, memory module or expansion card has worked itself a little loose on the board and simply needs reseating.

Either way, it is a job for a qualified technician and we’d suggest contacting your local computer repairer.

Using Vista and after shutting down unable to turn computer on again using on/off switch on tower.  Have to turn of at switch on wall and turn on again.  Can anyone help?

The problem is with your hardware. It’s probably just the switch but it could be the power supply or motherboard. You’ll need to take it to a computer store for repairs.

Be prepared for a fairly large bill. A lot of these switches are built into the computer case so the entire case needs to be replaced. This involves dismantling the computer.

The power supply is the cheapest and easiest component to replace. If it is the power supply, ask for a good quality 400W supply as many systems come with underpowered and nasty cheap supplies.

If it is a motherboard then you may want to consider a new system given that you’ll probably end up paying for a CPU and memory as well.

Given it’s a Vista system it may well be still under warranty. This sort of problem is why we recommend a three year warranty for all new systems.

About 8 months ago our computer crashed , we recently sent it to a reputable data recovery company and they said it had a severe head crash and could not recover any data.. Should I try another company or am I wasting my time. I heard in America the technology is more advanced and a higher success rate. I am so stressed as I’ve lost nearly all the pictures and videos  of my 2 boys from newborn till then as I thought my husband backed everything up..I desperately need some advice..can you recommended any other company?

Unfortunately we can’t recommend any specific company but there are companies that will recover data from even the most catastrophic failure.

This is a very specialised business so the services don’t come cheap for the equipment and skilled staff to operate it. Expect to pay several thousand dollars if it is a head crash as they will have to dismantle the drive and build it up again.

The best thing we can suggest is to contact your local computer shops and ask who they use for such work. Don’t trust the shops themselves as none will have the equipment to do this sort of recovery.

Best of luck in recovering those baby photos.

I am using a Mac iBook OS 9.2.2. [I have just got a MacBook Pro (2.5GHz,250g HD) and am about to change to Telstra wireless broadband (Heaven or PC Rescue help me!). I will then be in to OS 10.5.2 (Leopard).]

I have been able to initialise the external HD as HFS+ OK.

I am instructed to use ‘Custom’, enter the number and size and name the partitions, but I can’t get to ‘Custom’ to do it. 

It’s an excellent idea to split up your drive in this way as it makes recovery a lot easier should something bad happen.

In the Silverline pro, make sure you have highlighted the drive and not the Bus or Partition in the first screen. Until you do this, the Custom command won’t be available.

LaCie have detailed instructions on how to do this in OS9 on their website.

It may be worthwhile trying the Mac Drive setup utility to see if this will resolve the problem. In the Drive Setup box you should get the Custom option after you click Initialize.

Generally the Silverlining Pro and LaCie disk should be very reliable and straightforward to use. If the problem continues you should contact your supplier to check the drive is okay.