My computer is finally wanting to retire it seems. It wont even boot up now, it started the other day with wanting to do a disk consistency scan and says something about FAT32. Then it just wants to shut down after completion (for a while before it was shutting down it just wouldn't log onto the internet). So the other computer that we have been given was given the chance to see what it could do. For some reason Mr P linked the two computers together and you can flick a switch to see between the two of them on the monitor.

I could be wrong but I think that's why now this afternoon the 2nd computer has started to want to do the disk scan thingy. But at least it doesnt shut down after and this evening is the first time I have been able to use the internet properly on it. Up until this afternoon it just dropped out every couple of minutes.

I have two questions for the techy types...

1) Can either be saved? We have looked for problem solving things but they havn't worked.

2) What do you think of this laptop?

Currys - Shop for Laptops - Toshiba A300D-13X Laptop

Laptop looks good with good spec....appart from the AMD processor, I'd plump for an Intel Core 2 Duo myself.

What about this one: Currys - Shop for Laptops - Acer Aspire 5920 Laptop for the Home and Office

I know people on here seem to think Acer are rubbish but i have always used them and never had one go wrong and they seem good value for money.

The Core 2 Duo processor is slightly slower on paper but probably just as fast as the 2.0GB AMD one.

Edited 9 July, 200818 yr by Conshine

1) Yes. Re-install.

2) Looks okay, but I reckon you could get better for the money.

Have you tried Ad-aware or similar ?

The shutting down might be caused by virus / malaware.

or also try

Malicious Software Removal Tool

For 1st one - try reinstall from CD if it won't even boot up (that will clear everything)

Edited 9 July, 200818 yr by anonymouse

I've looked at that Acer laptop, the 2GB is £380 on Play.com and is now out of stock after getting some quite good reviews. It's heavier than the Toshiba (I tried them both out yesterday) and although I will be mostly using it at home I will still need to venture out at some point.

Is the AMD carp then?

I will show Mr P the suggestions for the desktops, he seems to think the network card needs replacing in this 2nd computer at the moment.

Thanks

I've always used Acer laptops, never had a problem!

I've looked at that Acer laptop, the 2GB is £380 on Play.com and is now out of stock after getting some quite good reviews. It's heavier than the Toshiba (I tried them both out yesterday) and although I will be mostly using it at home I will still need to venture out at some point.

Is the AMD carp then?

I will show Mr P the suggestions for the desktops, he seems to think the network card needs replacing in this 2nd computer at the moment.

Thanks

I wouldn't say carp, but I think that even though the 2Ghz AMD is faster on paper, the 1.8Ghz Core 2 Duo would be faster as I think it's something to do witht he way they are made and Intel have the better processors at the moment.

Not sure about the reliability between the two though?

I have an Acer 7720G 17" and it weighs 3.5Kg!! which is a good job it's at home all the time.

If you're over on the mainland I can take it off you and have a look at it if you like Miss P

Not sure when I'm next over in local ville

XP or Vista? I've some ideas if it's Vista.

Does booting into safe mode help any? Might be able to do that, then copy important files to external disk for later use if it does all go completely pear shaped.

At the risk of stating the obvious, have you been shutting them down cleanly? Just hitting the power button is usually a prime suspect for causing disk scans. Apologies if that was a bit too obvious...

If either of them does totally die, I'd say get hold of a Linux Live CD & see if you can use that to access the busted drive to copy files off etc...

Thanks to all the replies. I think I have been shutting it down properly and it's gone through the whole process at it's leisure including looking for space :confused: it now says windows is logging off as it always does now so it hasnt managed to fix itself.

All the OS's are vista so far Ken, I have read that not that many like it but I guess my choices are limited with a new laptop. I would prefer the Intel processor but I can't find one with both the spec and the budget.

Getting desperate now :(

Acer Aspire 5715Z Pentium Dual Core T2330 2048MB 80GB DVD-SM 15.4" ACB TFT Windows Vista Premium - Ebuyer

only 80BG hard drive - but good price

ebuyer do some keen prices

Got one similar to following one for daughter - very good

+ 2 yr warranty

Asus Santa Rosa T5450 Laptop 2048MB 160GB DVD-SM Built in webcam 12" WXGA Windows Vista Home Premium 2 Years Warranty - Ebuyer

£399

I bought an ACER 5920 a couple of months ago for chucking in the car for work and it’s seems pretty good to me:thumbup:. I bought it mainly for the excellent battery life which is between 3 and 4 hours if you dim the screen a bit and don’t do anything ridiculously power draining. It’s got a T5550 core 2 duo which is quite quick and a couple of gb of memory. The screen isn’t as good as my Sony Vaio AR41S laptop, but there again that only lasts just over an hour on batteries.

it also has a 120gb HDD and cost less than £400

I am tempted by the Acer Aspire, especially with the good price on Play.com. Can anyone explain the difference in the Duel core and the Core 2 duo?:confused:

My head hurts

I am tempted by the Acer Aspire, especially with the good price on Play.com. Can anyone explain the difference in the Duel core and the Core 2 duo?:confused:

My head hurts

Core 2 Duo is the newest chip and has lots of clever features. Your battery should last longer with it too:) (you can plug a ‘Ready Boost USB stick into your computer and it can use it a bit like extra memory ….clever)

I think this would be more appropriate for you, Pix....

HTH:D

Thanks Lady E.

I'm definetetly off to bed now, just realised the time and have to be up at 05.20 :eek:

I think this would be more appropriate for you, Pix....

HTH:D

Oh yes, it helps. More than you could ever imagine

Shut it you, Geordie boy!

Goodnight and God bless one and all.

Thanks Lady E.

I'm definetetly off to bed now, just realised the time and have to be up at 05.20 :eek:

Ouch!!!!:eek: Night night

Ps the Acer has quite nice styling, it’s a bit different with it’s curved edges and was apparently designed by BMW, so people will ignore you when you try to get on to the Internet.

It'll presumably give no indication of what it's doing?

It'll presumably give no indication of what it's doing?

:P:rofl:

Sorry, couldn't resist.

Pixi, if the machine that's having issues is on Vista, try disabling auto-updates, and rolling back the last batch of so-called "critical security updates".

(you can plug a ‘Ready Boost USB stick into your computer and it can use it a bit like extra memory ….clever)

Ectually ReadyBoost is a Vista feature - whether you have Dual Core DuoCore or whatever.

And there is a proggie now that enables you to do the same on XP

I am tempted by the Acer Aspire, especially with the good price on Play.com. Can anyone explain the difference in the Duel core and the Core 2 duo?:confused:

My head hurts

As I understand it, the Dual Core is a stripped down version of the Core 2 Duo processors.

The Dual Core was the first generation of multi core processors and I think the Core 2 Duo is the second generation, which has more features and saves more power compared to the first one.

.....or something along those lines :rubchin: