Broken Desktop PC. How can I repair it?
Discussion
Help me. My Oldish Sony Vaio desktop has just given up, it not got a fancy spec but the last error mentioned the video driver had malfunctioned and now nothing appears on screen.
Would I be right in thinking that if I replaced the Hard Drive with a new one and installed a version of windows that it would be ok?
Could I use the product recovery disks for this?
Or would I need to replace the graphics card?
Also is it a hard job to take the tower apart and do this myself or should I just buy a new cheap tower ready built?
Id quite like to salvage the pics and music from the current HD that I think I can do using an external HD case. Is this right?
Or finally would this be a simple repair for a techhy person?
Sorry for the rambling
Chris
Would I be right in thinking that if I replaced the Hard Drive with a new one and installed a version of windows that it would be ok?
Could I use the product recovery disks for this?
Or would I need to replace the graphics card?
Also is it a hard job to take the tower apart and do this myself or should I just buy a new cheap tower ready built?
Id quite like to salvage the pics and music from the current HD that I think I can do using an external HD case. Is this right?
Or finally would this be a simple repair for a techhy person?
Sorry for the rambling
Chris
chris_w666 said:
Help me. My Oldish Sony Vaio desktop has just given up, it not got a fancy spec but the last error mentioned the video driver had malfunctioned and now nothing appears on screen.
Would I be right in thinking that if I replaced the Hard Drive with a new one and installed a version of windows that it would be ok?
If the video card has gone up the swanny which is what it sounds has happened, then no. Would I be right in thinking that if I replaced the Hard Drive with a new one and installed a version of windows that it would be ok?
chris_w666 said:
Could I use the product recovery disks for this?
Assuming the video card is cooked, until you replace that, you won't be able to see anything chris_w666 said:
Or would I need to replace the graphics card?
Sounds like it, do you have anyone who can lend you one to test etc? Does the motherboard use an integrated graphics card or a discrete card?chris_w666 said:
Also is it a hard job to take the tower apart and do this myself or should I just buy a new cheap tower ready built?
chris_w666 said:
Id quite like to salvage the pics and music from the current HD that I think I can do using an external HD case. Is this right?
Assuming everything else is ok and the machine is fast enough, no need to buy another. Pulling it apart and changing a video card is quite simple as well 
chris_w666 said:
Or finally would this be a simple repair for a techhy person?
Simple repair for them, or a simple repair for you chris_w666 said:
Sorry for the rambling
Chris
Not at all chap, not at all! Likewise as well! Chris
You say the video card driver has malfunctioned, does it display anything when you turn it on and go beep or is the screen blank and silence?
If nothing then the card is dead but if the system is attempting to boot and it is just the driver that has gone haywire you can hit F8 while booting and start windows in safe mode which will boot the system using the compatibility driver letting you reinstall the software for it.
If nothing then the card is dead but if the system is attempting to boot and it is just the driver that has gone haywire you can hit F8 while booting and start windows in safe mode which will boot the system using the compatibility driver letting you reinstall the software for it.
Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff