Really odd HP problem ...

[Abhoth]

Here's a quick summary:
System in question: Hewlett-Packard 667mhz, some RAM running WinME (yuck) blah blah....
Bad sectors on the hard drive ..... many! Replaced the drive and reloaded using the recovery CD. Loaded the standard AV items and such ... was running real nice actually for the old dude that it is!

All this was done in my shop here on a KVM... then turned it over to the customer and now the saga begins! ;-)

They take it home it gives them the WinMe loading screen ... pause ... then black screen asking ... display settings correct? ... pauses then shuts down. Not sure if that's the exact question but very close and you can't answer the question. It just shuts down ...

Had them bring it back here .... fires right up! No worries. Wrong.

Same thing when they get it home......

They can get it into safe mode ... they've removed the display adapter and monitor. Reboot and get the same thing....

Opinions? Thoughts? Ideas???? help... ;-)

I'm beginning to wonder if it's because my equipment was hooked up during the reload/recovery and because it's an HP thing. It wants the original equipment (mine), not theirs so is won't let them in.... ???

[TropicalBound]

Your monitor runs at different settings than theirs. Change the display to 800 X 600 (or even 640 X 480). When they get home, they can change it to something they prefer.

[eddds40]

Don't figure why they cant get into safe mode if it is a monitor issue. Load it into the bios setup screen check settings their. Some of the older machines were F1 F2 to get into bios Dont know on that particular one but you may see a hint on startup. Also it may be F5 for safe mode instead of F8 I believe would try a combination of them. I misread the post thought you couldnt get into safe mode. Do believe it would be the monitor settings as was suggested

[Train]

I agree it sure sounds like their monitor can not handle anything above 800/640.

[Abhoth]

Yeah, we tried that in Safe Mode ... I'm taking a run over to their house around noon so will check that. They're pretty 'puter illiterate and not very good at following instructions so will hope they just didn't do as I said! ;-) I'll update this here when I get back... thanks all...

[Abhoth]

And the answer IS! ... bingo ... they can't follow instructions! Walked them through that in safe mode... but they didn't answer YES to the final question. So was a resolution issue ... just need to change it in safe mode and answer a few questions, correctly, and restart and alls good.

Thanks guys...

[Train]

UGH!
Glad you found the source.

[eddds40]

Great another one working :-)

[Abhoth]

Yup, gotta keep those ancient HP's running by god! ;-) Am pleased that it was that easy ... but sometimes the end user can try my patience. It was a nice day for a drive here though so all's good.

[SuperSparks]

[Abhoth]

True THAT!!! Here's my next online purchase...
This morning I get up and my beautiful wife informs me that "they've" called ... can't get connected to the internet. So obviously it's become more difficult to set up a dial-up connection since I last set one up. I see frustration in my future!

[Train]

Make them pay for it.

[Abhoth]

They did ... but that was for the service on the machine. I try not to be "the help desk" but it occasionally happens ... them's the breaks. A happy customer is a possible referral ya know! ;-) It's just amazing at how illiterate many still are regarding computers and computing... did get them online and happy though.

[Train]

It's just amazing at how illiterate many still are regarding computers and computing... did get them online and happy though.

Not sexy enough for them to learn I guess.

Been down that road many a time.