trying to figure out Vista

I'm very familiar with XP and have built dozens of PC and probably installed / debugged XP 50+ times in the last 10 years.

My problem: my neighbor bought 2 Dell laptops several months ago from Circuit City when they had a good deal (?) and 1 of them has been having problems. She knew I helped several of the neighbors with their PCs and asked me to have a look.
I said I'd try to repair it and if all else fails, we'll just reload Vista.
I'm getting a message when it boots up:
Failed to connect to Windows Service. then somethng about a group policy and I can review the System Event Log.

It has blue screened several times and I had a very difficult time trying to get the Windows Update to install the latest updates.
I ran Secunia Online Software Inspector, and it informed me that Adobe Reader and Flash were out of date, but I was never successfull in installing the update (I tried several times). I also had the laptop Blue-screen a couple times and 1 time when I rebooted, I had to reregister Vista!
Any suggestions?

Is there any way to run a Vista repair, like with XP? (just boot to the CD?)
also is there a way to uninstall software (like from the Control Panel in XP) and is there a way to "Run / Misconfig" to disable some start-ups? (there's nothing in the start-up folder)

thanks, I'm learning

http://vistasupport.mvps.org/windows...ir_options.htm

Did you make the Vista restore disc? Do that before you mess around with anything else.

If the system keeps bluescreening, you should run diags on the memory and hard drive. No sense in busting your brains on software if the hardware is bad.

UBCD has memtest86+ and most hard drive manufacturer's diags. Link is in my signature.

Is a Vista restore disc, just to restore the OS or all of the confugrations / cusomizations too?

Should I do this even the PC is corrupted? (hardware and/or software?)

I'll give them a try tonite, THANKS!

On the Dell, it would probably be a clean Vista disc (with Dell bios code check). Check the box to see if Dell gave you the DVD. If not, there should be a creator app.

If you don't have the OS disc, then you won't be able to reinstall Vista. Unless you already have a Dell Vista OS disc, you should try making one first.

Sorry to mis-lead, it is an Acer Aspire 6920 laptop (not Dell).

I ran Memtest-86 on it and got a bunch of "failed" notifications, I finally canceled it after about 1 1/2 hours. I knew that couldn't be good, but didn't know what to do with that information.

I went into the BIOS and reset it to the default configuration, but that didn't seem to help. I asked the owner to bring all of the CDs/DVDs she received with it and all of the documentation (user guides, etc). No restore discs, but reading the Guide, it said there is a hidden partition of the hard-drive which contains the Restore to erase the main drive and reset the whole thing back to the factory default settings.
I followed the instructions and started the restore, after running 3 or 4 minutes, it failied with some kind of generic error (I wrote it down at home but don't have it with me. it was something like "Error: 0x000000d0d"). Tried it 3 more times, same error. Tried rebotting it, now it won't reboot (I guess the reformatting started).
In despiration, I tried loading a copy of my WinXP, the install started, then an error popped up, stating that it couldn't find the hard-drive. I also tried a slipstream version of XP that I've installed on a couple of my PCs and never failed to load. Same error.

Any suggestions? I thought about attempting to boot to a DOS CD and seeing if I could locate and reformat the C; drive, but I'm hesitant to do it because I don't know how they have it configured with the "hidden Restore drive".

I submitted a HelpDesk request on Acer's Support site Saturday, but haven't heard back yet.

Please help. Don't know what else to try and if the Memtest errors are the kiss of death for this new laptop.

You have bad RAM. Memtest is telling you that, an the other problems re also a classic sign of bad RAM. You'll have to replace the memory module(s) before you can get any further with it.

uh oh, never anticipated that with a new laptop. She bought 2 of them from Circuit City, so I guess she's just stuck with it.

I've never replaced laptop memory. Should I just recommend to her to return it to Acer? (she said she bought them at the beginning of the year).

Is there another Mem test I can run to provide any more specific information? Or some way to read the Memtest-86?

Microsoft Online Crash Analysis > Windows Memory Diagnostic
http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

Microsoft TechNet: TechNet Magazine > Home > 2008 > September > Free Utility: Windows Memory Diagnostic
Utility Spotlight Windows Memory Diagnostic
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/m...t.aspx?pr=blog

PS - It would not be cost effective to try and fix flaky RAM. Fortunately, in most cases, it's fairly simple to replace.

Thanks SpywareDr, I'll try those tonite.

I didn't have any plans to try to fix the ram, just wanted to confirm that it was bad.
How hard is it to determine what ram to buy and how do I replace it (I've built and repaired dozens of PCs, never opened a laptop). I'm leaning toward telling her it's a Ram problem and having her send it back to Acer for repair.

According to crucial.com an "Acer Aspire 6920G" has two "200-pin SODIMM" memory slots, each of which "can hold DDR2 PC2-5300, DDR2 PC2-6400 with a maximum of 2GB per slot." And Cosair.com confirms the fact.

Newegg.com has 1GB replacements starting at $12.99 (each) and 2GB at $23.99 (each).

At those prices it would not be worth having Acer fix the problem even under warranty.

If there's 2 slots, is it possible to determine which one is bad?

btw, how hard is it to crack open an Acer laptop? (as I said, I've built and repaired dozens of desktops, but never a laptop)

Quote:

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If there's 2 slots, is it possible to determine which one is bad?

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Take one of the sodimms out and run memtest again. Repeat for the other sodimm.

The memory should be relatively easy to find. It's not like you have to take the whole thing apart. If anything, you may need to get under the keyboard.

well, good news is: I found a how-to for the 6920, pretty easily, bad news: it's in Italian (time to break out Babel Fish to translate).

Any other suggestions?

Did you take off any panels on the bottom of the laptop? Looks like there is one big panel.

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4541

This is a bit generic, but should give you some idea:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2032433_acer-laptop-ram.html

You guys are absolutely amazing!

I caustiously removed the bottom panel (after disconnecting the power & battery) and the memory chips were right there, so I removed the first one I could access and reran Memtest-86. Memtest ran PERFECTLY!!!! Zero errors!! So I reran the Acer Restore and that worked PERFECTLY as well!!!! :D
Rebooted several times with no issues or error messages! Wahoo!!

1 question, after I booted I looked at the properties and it said there was only 1gig of Ram. I know the stick I pulled was 2gig, and when I looked up the specs online, it said there was originally 4gig. I haven't physically looked at what is installed yet, any insight?


I looked up the Ram on NewEgg and looks like I can pick-up 2gig of Crucial for $25.99. I'll notify the neighbor and order it tomorrow.

Thanks Again Guys! REALLY helpful.
(just want to understand the 2gig vs 1gig showing)

The place both with a matched set, that way you you get away from the non compatible mess you where dealing with.

Nuts!
:(

i ordered this:
CORSAIR 2GB 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300)

it arrive today and I installed it, but the properties still show 1gig!

What's the deal?!?! do I need to set something in the bios to recognize it now, or is it not compatiable? :confused:
It's and Acer Aspire 6920. please tell me it's the correct one.
I read all of the info off of the one I pulled and though I got an almost eact replacement (even avoided the off-brand stuff!)

Help Please!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MPTech

Nuts!
:(

i ordered this:
CORSAIR 2GB 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300)

it arrive today and I installed it, but the properties still show 1gig!

What's the deal?!?! do I need to set something in the bios to recognize it now, or is it not compatiable? :confused:
It's and Acer Aspire 6920. please tell me it's the correct one.
I read all of the info off of the one I pulled and though I got an almost eact replacement (even avoided the off-brand stuff!)

Help Please!

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The specs I found say 3GB installed http://reviews.cnet.com/laptops/acer...tag=mncol;psum

Its possible the new RAM isn't properly seated and your seeing the original1GB RAM module only.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MPTech

It's and Acer Aspire 6920.

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Which model "6920"? Corsair lists 25:

http://www.SpywareDrGuide.com/Virtua...re_6920_01.jpg

wonderinguy34 - yea, the 3 gb threw me off at first, but there is 1 gb and 2gb installed. The 2gb went bad, so that was the one I replaced. I can ty reseating it, but my fear is that I got the wrong one.

SpywareDr - wow! 25 different models!?!? I'll have to go back and check. When I was on the Acer site the only 2 it listed were a 6920 and a 6920G. I don't think it's a G, but beyond that I don't know yet.
hmmmm, I wonder where I find that out(?) Properties?

Should be on one of the paper tags on the bottom. Maybe it looks like this.

http://www.blisscomputers.net/images...-one-zg5_f.jpg

This is driving me crazy.
I found the model Acer Aspire 6920 LF1 on the tag / bottom.

But I can't find it in the list.
Corsair Memory configurator

https://discussions.virtualdr.com/im...2009/09/18.jpg

Run the scanner there and at Crucial
http://www.crucial.com/

This is probably what you need.
System memory
• Dual-Channel DDR2 SDRAM support
• Up to 2 GB of DDR2 667 MHz memory, upgradeable to 4 GB
using two soDIMM modules

SODIMM PC5300 or PC6400 is what I come up with, wherever I look. So I think you definitely do have the right memory module.

Have you tried reseating it yet?

D'oh!!! I guess that was it!

I opened it up again (I really hate opening the bottom of a laptop), removed both Ram sticks (looked like they were both seated and the clips were in place). And swapped them, just to make sure.

It worked! 3gb! THANKS THANKS THANKS!

I feel like such a dope!

Those contacts do get corroded and reinserting the chips tends to clean them.

Sorry I just had to rant. But the VISTA on my new machine is not friendly to software, even Microsoft software. I wish I could reinstall XP on this HP machine.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MPTech

D'oh!!! I guess that was it!

I opened it up again (I really hate opening the bottom of a laptop), removed both Ram sticks (looked like they were both seated and the clips were in place). And swapped them, just to make sure.

It worked! 3gb! THANKS THANKS THANKS!

I feel like such a dope!

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Don't feel like a dope, SODIMMs are a royal pin to get seated right sometimes. I've had the same problem with them :( :(

MPTech, you may want to take a look at this link:
http://discussions.virtualdr.com/sho...d.php?t=240963

I really dont like VISTA. All this errors, slow working and troubles almost each day does not make you feel comfortable... I bought Dell Studio last weekend and it comes with VISTA, 10 troubles in one day.. Nothing to say more... :(

I like the Dell Inspiron 546 I boughteven though I knew it would have Vista on it but I am counting on Win 7 being the OS I am hoping it is. If I cannot be comfortable with either of these 2 systems, I will consider cleaning out the hard drive and go back to XP PRO. I am assuming that is possible. An aslde to all this; I can use a new computer and wanted one.
I do have to admit that I am learning Vista more each time I use it-- still it is not my OS of choice.