Re: I have Been Fooled , Bamboozeled, Hoodwinked. What Happend????

From: Charles Otstot (saries_at_notmyreal.address.com)
Date: 09/30/04 

Date: Thu, 30 Sep 2004 08:58:16 -0400

"Boldrunner7" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:056301c4a5bd$baeb47c0$a401280a@phx.gbl...
> I am running XP Pro, All of a sudden freeze ups,crashes,
> my DSL internet connection was gone. Verizon walked me
> through recconection, two days later it happen again I
> could not get online. So I tried Restore, All my restore
> dates had been completely wiped out. The only restore date
> that was available was the currant time I was on my PC.
> I tried restore on the one date that was available to me,
> results; A real slow very slow restore and then when It
> went to restart it took forever. Once it did restart my PC
> booted up, the XP Pro logo came up showing the little blue
> bar at the bottom scanning and then when my windows screen
> opened it was a black screen the only thing showing was
> the white cursor which is moveable. Windows will not open
> all I get is this black screen.
>
> I took it to the shop and the computer guy said he
> believed I had a possible virus ( DuH )then he calls and
> says that he up dated my XP Pro and put a new sound card
> in which he thought this would solve the problem. Now he
> say"s that he thinks I may need to replace the mother
> board and processor.
>
> Somthing else the computer tech who has been performing
> matinance on my computer since october 03, when my windows
> 98 started freezing and crashing,replaced my hard drive
> because they said that was the problem, but then found out
> that it was the sound card, and replaced them both along
> with putting in Win ME $150.00. Two months later WIn ME
> was a big mistake. I took It back The same tech put in XP
> Pro and told me that every thing was surly alright now I
> should have "NO MORE PROBLEMS" just do not install Sp-1
> when prompt to do it.
>
> By now I am sure that you and every one in this community
> knows that I am not computer savy. I put my trust in those
> who are suppose to know by giving the benifit of the
> doublt. SP-2 has now come out and I was being prompt to
> downlaoad it when I tried (DuH) It said I needed to
> download SP-1 first. So I called the tech and told them
> what was happening to my computer and what about me
> downloading SP-2. They said to bring it in and they will
> update and put a LEGAL COPY of XP PRO on my PC. Now
> supposingly this has been done, they are still getting the
> BLACK SCREEN. They are telling me the only thing left is
> to replace the mother board and prossesor. I don't no what
> to do or how to talk with the Tech short of waiting for
> them outside and handling it! (just joking) but seriously
> I need my computer.
>
> Please everyone out there in XP computer world after you
> finish laughing at me, Please tell what to do and what
> happened to my PC. How to talk with the tech. I don't have
> a the money to keep getting repair's. I am a writter I
> need my PC for my work. Please help!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Before you go any further....

1) Go to the company that has your computer.
2) Tell this "tech's" employer that you want the CD and documentation
(including license) for your "legal" copy of XP Pro.
3) Ask for your computer. Once you have the system in your hands, demand
a refund for any and all work these people have
        performed.
4) If you don't get the refund, offer to contact Microsoft directly to
verify that the company has indeed sold you legal copies of
        XP Pro and WinME (when that was installed). Also offer to contact
their hardware vendors to verify that those vendors
        are properly represented by this company.
5) Assuming you still don't get the refund, take your computer home with
you. Contact your Better Business Bureau and/or local
        consumer advocacy group. Follow through with the actions described
in step 4).
6) Finally, take your computer to a reputable delaer/repair shop and
have them take a look.

Based on your description, your root problem could be either hardware or
software. I would certainly not recommend (at this point) replacing either
the motherboard *or* the processor (they are independent entities and
replacing one does not necessarily require replacing the other). I,
personally, have only had one instance where replacing both parts was a
necessity; that particular instance was due to an unusual confluence of
incompatibilities with the combination of mobo, processor and software on
the system (a *very* rare occurrence). At this point, you don't have enough
information to provide a reasonable diagnosis, and I would not trust the
"tech" to provide you with an accurate description of the troubleshooting
steps performed (and leading to his conclusion).

Hope this helps,
Charlie

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