my system just died on me

[peterjun211]

For some odd reason, I shut down my computer (windows xp) and then went to sleep. However when I wake up I find out that my computer didnt shut down so I go ahead and try to shut it down using the power button. However, that didnt work. It usually shuts down if i hold down the power button for couple seconds but it didnt do anything. Also I had my headphones plugged in and it keeps saying "CPU failed CPU failed CPU failed" over and over again.

I went ahead and unplugged the power and tried starting it up again but the OS doesnt start. The power and reset buttons dont even work on my computer. Also one of the times I heard one of the fans turn off.

I have no clue whats going on... I think im going to cry lol . Someone please help me, thank you so much.

edit: also to add... I thought it was a hardrive failure but nothing even pops up on my monitor, it has the "orange" light on indicating like nothings plugged in.

 

[amdskip]

A hard drive failure will not stop it from starting. What kind of computer is this? Can you list out your system specs including the power supply.

 

[hurtstotalktoyou]

It might be a simple problem like your CPU cooler/heatsink/fan coming loose. Many motherboards have a CPU temperature monitor that will disable a system if the processor gets too hot. Open up your system and re-seat your CPU & HSF. Hopefully that will work.

Of course, it may be something much more complicated than that--but let's eliminate the simpler woes, first.

 

[Vegitto]

Originally posted by: hurtstotalktoyou
It might be a simple problem like your CPU cooler/heatsink/fan coming loose. Many motherboards have a CPU temperature monitor that will disable a system if the processor gets too hot. Open up your system and re-seat your CPU & HSF. Hopefully that will work.

Of course, it may be something much more complicated than that--but let's eliminate the simpler woes, first.

What he said. If that doesn't work, you're fvcked, and you need a new CPU.

 

[peterjun211]

I took it to best buy geek squad and they told me it was the power supply and also that my OS got deleted. If I reinstall windows xp will it delete my emails on outlook?

 

[amdskip]

Most likely yes.

 

[blodhi74]

Originally posted by: peterjun211
I took it to best buy geek squad and they told me it was the power supply and also that my OS got deleted. If I reinstall windows xp will it delete my emails on outlook?

yes .... with a PSU failure, you dont have to reinstall anything

 

[peterjun211]

I just picked up the computer today from GeekSquad @ bestbuy. The power supply was dead, they replaced it and now I get the Bios and stuff however it says the OS is corrupted. My main prioriety is to get my Emails back in outlook. They told me they offer services to backup my email for 100 dollars , so I thought I could do it my own.

I'm not really sure how I am going to back up the email, they told me that theyre still tehre but if I reinstall my OS on the same drives it will delete them. However If I install the OS on a new hardrive, I can search for the emails in outlook. Does anyone know how to do this? I appreciate the help, thank you.

 

[QueBert]

you can do a repair install of XP, it won't delete your emails, and it *should* fix any issues you're having.

pop your XP cd in, set your 1st boot device in your BIOS to CD. When it starts up, it will give you an option to repair. DON'T select the "repair console" that's too detailed for most people.

There's a chance something can happen to your emails, as with any reinstall you COULD encounter problems. But, this is gonna be the best way you can do it. And I'm going to chime in much better then paying BB 100 bucks to copy a few files over.

 

[simms]

I'm curious, are you the Peter Jun on http://peterjun.com/ ?

 

[wumpuskiller]

***DO NOT*** do the re-install (repair or otherwise) without FIRST trying to backup/recover your email directories.

You CAN try the re-install, but be warned that you are taking a BIG CHANCE that the email directories will be left un-touched. I friend of mine just did what you are suggesting. He thought he was safe by doing the "in-place" re-install. Well, it clobbered almost 3 years worth of emails and address book information!

If you have another computer (or a friend's) where you can install your HDD as a secondary disk, or if you can somehow boot into SAFE MODE, then search the disk for all *.dbx files. You will need to search system and hidden files, too, since the dbx files are hidden.

Also, search this forum. This problem happens all the time and there is a fair amount of step-by-step info listed. sorry I'm too lazy to re-write those steps for you.

Good luck!