I need help please.

babyemily

Our computer has died. I dont know what has happened to it as it was working fine then just switched itself off? Everytime I tried to start it again it seemed to go so far and then just start the process again so not even reaching the password page - if that makes sense? Managed to get it started fine using the Norton thing that allows you to go back to a certain point and it all seemed to be running ok. Checked and updated all the anti virus etc....
Next day my lad was on it. He uses the computer constantly. He is autistic and he never goes out really as he doesnt have many friends, anyway he was on the same site as the day previous when it happened again! Nothing I do will get the pc started again. I have rang a couple of pc repair places and they have all said its going to be £200+ to get fixed at least. A pc in our house is not a luxury so I am thinking of buying a secondhand one as I cannot afford a new one. But I have no idea what I am buying. There is a seller on Ebay selling ones for £85 BIN. His username on Ebay is the_server_centre and his feedback is all positive but we are really struggling moneywise and I cant afford to throw good money after bad. Can anyone offer any advice please? Thank you.

stilltheone

In fact the make and full model number would be even better.

babyemily

Ok will do my best here, thank you for replying. The version of windows is Windows Vista, The computer is ( I have had to ring home and get this info so I hope its right!!!) an Advent Quad Core - Intel Core 2 quad processor Q6600.
Does that help? I can ring for any more information if its needed.

spacerace

Have you tried starting it in Safe Mode and seeing if that gets you through to the desktop / profile chooser?

To access Safe Mode from a cold start press the F8 (Function) key on the top row, repeatedly until you see a white text menu. An option will be Safe Mode, select this and see if the computer starts normally, If it does then try restarting normally after that (this alone sometimes fixes issues) otherwise its a start-up program causing the issue.

stilltheone

babyemily wrote: »

Ok will do my best here, thank you for replying. The version of windows is Windows Vista, The computer is ( I have had to ring home and get this info so I hope its right!!!) an Advent Quad Core - Intel Core 2 quad processor Q6600.
Does that help? I can ring for any more information if its needed.

That isn't the model number.

It's either T9509, T9609 or T9610.

Either way, the Recovery/Repair instructions are to be found here under Hard Drive Recovery You can access Startup Repair from there.

kwikbreaks

babyemily wrote: »

The computer is ( I have had to ring home and get this info so I hope its right!!!) an Advent Quad Core - Intel Core 2 quad processor Q6600.

It's very unlikely indeed that an £85 computer on eBay is going to come anywhere close to this on specifications. Often at that sort of price level they have no operating system either. You need to be concentrating on getting the one you have fixed and finding out if at all possible what screwed it up.

babyemily

Thank you very much for all your help. I have sent the details for recovery to my husband who is going to have a go at fixing it - Nothing ventured and all that. I agree with you kwikbreaks that getting this one fixed is the better option but I am terrified the costs of repairing it would be the same as a new one! I have had it happen before with a computer repair shop so I am very wary. If anybody can recommend a repair shop in Northampton that would be very welcome information

DCFC79

Its possible it can be repaired by yourself and not cost a penny.

babyemily

DCFC79 wrote: »

Its possible it can be repaired by yourself and not cost a penny.

Thank you but I really am thick when it comes to computers! We will try the recovery think as suggested and hope for the best. You are all fab thank you x

lootebag

Yes, the recovery option might be the best bet at this point.

Tell your kid not to go back to that website.

babyemily

Right computer is back up and running again albeit slowly. Norton seems to keep turning itself off though??? Also Norton is saying there are 5 issues leaving the computer unprotected yet we update norton all the time.... But I am very grateful to all of you for getting us this far.
lootebag he has been warned NEVER to go on that site again!