Worrying PC problems

1. 74

   Bard of Elyposted 16 years ago

   If I disappear it is because I currently have very worrying PC problems known as Bad Pool Caller. I am back on at present after a System Restore but should the Blue Screen of Death return and my PC crash totally due to Bad Pool Caller then I will be offline until further notice!

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   1. 60

      nicompposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      That sounds like a device driver problem. If you installed anything recently, uninstall it or roll back any upgrades and updates you put in.
      
      Oh, yeah; back up all your files immediately. Assume and expect the worst. You can only be pleasantly surprised.

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      1. 74

         Bard of Elyposted 16 years agoin reply to this

         After a lot of messing about using F8, Safe Mode, System Restore and getting the latest Windows Update and series of restarts it appears to be all OK again at present - touch wood!
         
         Yes, I did install new files and a driver for a Yashica Video camera last night. I am now wondering if this caused the problem and if so whether I wasted my money buying it - I haven't done anything with the camera apart from put what was on the CD on my PC.

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2. 55

   Dame Scribeposted 16 years ago

   I am glad to hear you will be here, Bard of Ely, and welcome back,

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   1. 74

      Bard of Elyposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you, Dame Scribe! I seem to be OK again! Just praying I have fixed it!

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3. 55

   Dame Scribeposted 16 years ago

   I had to run around borrowing friends computers all the time after my other computer crashed...I think I had run out of memory on that one still not sure what to with it either but got stuff on it too might have to find a puter techie but I know what you mean bout worrying, lol

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4. 74

   Bard of Elyposted 16 years ago

   I only bought this one a couple of months back that makes it even worse! Also taking things back here is often more trouble than its worth in many cases, plus Tenerife is very behind when it comes to PCs and the Internet so often the people in the shops really don't know much about the subject anyway. If I choose to take this back it will take me over 2 hours on a bus and then have to explain my problem in Spanish which will make it even harder and then another 2 hours to get home.

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5. 81

   Gordon Hamiltonposted 16 years ago

   Hi, Bard
   
   Do you use MSN? If so, you may find that is the cause of your problem. MSN Messenger destroyed one of my previous computers (have it in writing from the company who tried to fix it) and I would therefore never touch any of those "instant messenger" services again.

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   1. 60

      nicompposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      20 years as a computer consultant, MS in Computer Science, and BS in Engineering Science, and I've not heard of a mainstream program that 'destroyed' a PC. The only way to take out an entire computer would be systemic heat problems or over voltage problems. Even if the CPU cooling fan dies, which happens sometimes these days, the CPU will eventually fail and perhaps it's conceivable that that the motherboard could possibly go with it, but the hard drive and the peripheral cards would survive. If the power supply fan dies, which is also common these days, the power supply will fail before the motherboard cooks. The hard drive would still survive.
      
      If the thing gets hit by lightning, then all the circuitry, including the hard drive, could very possibly be destroyed. That's no fault of MSN or any other program on the planet.
      
      I'm also fascinated how one would diagnose the destruction of a computer and trace it back to an application program. Pretty much everything else has to be working before the MSN program even gets loaded and executed; if it was all destroyed, I can't visualize how the system could be reconstructed to the point where MSN could be pinpointed. That would require some serious diagnostic equipment and high powered smarts to use it. CSI Las Vegas would be jealous.
      
      I'd love to hear more; professional curiosity.

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      1. 81

         Gordon Hamiltonposted 16 years agoin reply to this

         I am not so qualified. I based my comment upon the report I was given from a professional company. I can't quite recall exactly but it was approximately two years ago.
         
         I can't get access to the diagnostic letter until Tuesday (tomorrow is Empire Day in the UK, so it's a Bank Holiday) but I will ask them to scan it and e-mail me it. I'm not sure whether I will be able to copy/paste it on here, but if not, I'll try to send you it direct through author contact. I too am looking forward to your diagnosis!

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         1. 60

            nicompposted 16 years agoin reply to this

            I genuinely would like to see it. I teach Computer Engineering at the University of Cincinnati and this subject would make an excellent discussion point in class.

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   2. 74

      Bard of Elyposted 16 years agoin reply to this

      No, I got fed up with MSN years ago and I don't like any IM systems!

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