New computer doesn't work??

**Skiz** · 08-26-2006, 08:38 PM

Originally Posted by zapjb

How much did you pay the crackhead?

So safemode doesn't work nor recovery console & no driver & recovery discs?

If it's just a software problem. Then imo the only critical thing is having all the drivers.

If indeed it's just software & you do have all the drivers.

I'd do the following (different apps will work also):

1. Darik's Boot Nuke - nuke the HDD
2. Acronis Disk Director Suite - format choosing ntfs file system & active partition
3. Install XP
4. Install drivers

I paid the cracky $400. I looked inside before I bought it and saw the 2 7900GTX cards and new I was getting a deal. Even if the mobo ends up worthless, I can use the rest to build from.

I have the MCE disc that Dell includes in the box, that's all. No other software software except Roxio and some other junk. If I had the mobo disc, I would have just formatted this shit a long time ago and started with a blank drive.

I have the MCE up and almost fully working. The only thing I can find that doesn't work as it should, is the actual Media Center itself. When I click on the Media Center icon on the desktop, I get an error message stating:

Your video card drivers are not compatible with media center.

Yet, I can enter the Media Center via the Start Menu just fine.

Maybe now I can put partition Magic on here, Install XPHome, reboot with XPHome and uninstall the MCE.

Think that will work?

I still haven't tried Linux yet though.

Opinions?

**zapjb** · 08-27-2006, 02:25 AM

Theres programs like WinDriversBackup. Supposedly they backup your drivers in .exe to your HDD. Which you then burn to disc. Then start fresh.

**Skiz** · 08-27-2006, 03:01 AM

OK, here's the latest:

The PC only has one HDD, so I partitioned 5gb for Windows and the basics as (F:\), and left the other 295 completely blank (C:\).

I also figured out why my XP Home wouldn't work, it was a XP Home Upgrade version. I forgot all about that, it had been so long. My own dumbass fault there.

Sooo.... I just bought a brand new, full version of XP Home on eBay for $85 and free shipping. I'm 99.99% sure that I'll be able to load that onto C: with no problems at all, and then clear out the MCE stuff on the F: partition. Then I should be in business!

Comments or opinions?

**suprafreak6** · 08-27-2006, 03:07 AM

thats a hella good deal, if nothings busted and it was just the os causing problems!

**Skiz** · 08-27-2006, 03:13 AM

Originally Posted by Global Jihad

thats a hella good deal, if nothings busted and it was just the os causing problems!

Tell me about it! I can't wait to get this thing running.

Never underestimate the deals you can obtain in the "bad" parts of town. I'm looking at two Dell LCD's that I obtained about two years ago the same way. One 19" and one 18". I sold a buddy a 17" for $150. I got the 3 for a total of $400.

**peat moss** · 08-27-2006, 03:13 AM

Sooo you bought a hot computer but paid for a Windows disk ? Oh thats just wrong !

Not a bad deal tho , hmm a crack head who knows his computer stuff .You probably could of got it for less but still a good deal . Any problems with it send it to Dell for a warranty .

Don't laff I know people who did just that .

**Smith** · 08-27-2006, 10:47 PM

Perhaps swap out the HD..see if that works?

**zapjb** · 08-27-2006, 11:41 PM

Originally Posted by peat moss

Sooo you bought a hot computer but paid for a Windows disk ? Oh thats just wrong !

Not a bad deal tho , hmm a crack head who knows his computer stuff .You probably could of got it for less but still a good deal . Any problems with it send it to Dell for a warranty .

Don't laff I know people who did just that .

I more than agree. Imo thats a waste of $85.