Computer frustration
By Canellita
@Canellita (12029)
United States
September 18, 2009 12:40pm CST
I am at my wit's end. Some of you already know that I have been having issues with my computer for several weeks now and when I finally found the packet of CDs that came with the computer the recovery disc was not among them. I ordered one and had I known it would be less than $20 I could have acquired it weeks ago!
Well, the CD arrived with a DVD disk , but no instructions. I managed to figure out how to get the recovery utility to load and then was prompted to enter an administrative password. I did manage to figure out how to run the ck disk utility and it found and repaired a couple issues and now Windows is trying to load but has some other .dll file issue.
I had a similar problem once before with Windows not loading properly about two years ago and I took it to Comp USA and they charged a ridiculous amount of money and I had to purchase an external hard drive for them to back up my files.
Now the thing that really bugs me is that I have the ability to go in and do a backup now even without Windows loading but I have to be able to type in an administrative password. If I knew that password I could choose the files I want to back up and then run the recovery utility.
When I called to get the recovery disk it took half an hour on the telephone! Once I navigated the computer and actually got a person I was being asked all these questions and then I was told the computer was out of warranty when the technician had not even asked me why I was calling in the first place!
I am using a borrowed little emachine right now to access the internet and I can not access the free HP online support because of some kind of java issue! The computer is only 4 years old. This is so beyond frustrating! I should be able to make a simple phone call and resolve the problem.
I don't know what else I can do at this point.
1 person likes this
4 responses
@mommaj (23112)
• United States
18 Sep 09
You poor thing! The computer saga continues... I hope you call them and give them heck. This time instead of letting them ask you questions, let them know you need a password and your computer isn't working to go online. This is typical for any of the computers when the owners are having problems. It's always like pulling teeth if you have a problem.
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
19 Sep 09
I made some progress with email and a friend of mine out of town is really good with computers. We had a long talk about what was going on and what to do about it so I am going to give it another go in the morning after I drop my honey off to work.
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
21 Sep 09
Well, I reinstalled Windows last night and in the process the computer no longer recognizes the CD/DVD drive.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
@smithid (122)
• Nigeria
22 Sep 09
First of all what xp version did you use. Second, what is the make of your system. Is is a laptop or desktop. Most systems have their sites online with a host of drivers for powering specific devices. sif windows can't recognise the drive, then you may need to install a driver from the manufacturers website for the hardware to be powered. All the best.
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
23 Sep 09
I have been going back and forth in emails with HP for days. I restored access to Windows by reinstalling it. Most of my programs were still intact but apparently a lot of the registry files are messed up and I have something like 14 drivers that are out of date. I have been restoring it file by file (sigh). Right now I am running AVG just to be sure there was no attack by a virus.
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
21 Sep 09
Well, I ended up reinstalling Windows from the recovery disc last night and that took care of the initial problem but now my computer isn't recognizing the DVD drive. I now have to figure out how to restore it.
@ladym33 (10979)
• United States
8 Oct 09
Try calling again, hopefully you will get a more helpful person this time. Or if they start asking all the questions again start the conversation by saying I just have a question and need a little advice. Hopefully the person will be nice enough to listen and will help you get the information you need. If not ask all of your friends if they know someone who knows a lot about those things and ask them to ask the person if they would be willing to help you for $20.
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
9 Oct 09
When I called to order the disks I was told that because the computer was out of warranty I would have to pay for support if I called back. It was free online but the computer I had on loan couldn't communicate with the site.
It took me two weeks of talking to a friend long distance to get it straightened out.
@scheng1 (24649)
• Singapore
19 Sep 09
Oh dear Canellita, I wonder how you manage to keep yourself from smashing the stupid computer. Will you be able to trade-in your computer for a new one? I think forking out a bit more money to get a new computer is worth. Imagine the loss of income for three weeks just because you can't access computer and write articles.
When my laptop had keyboard problem, I felt very frustrated already. Simply can't imagine the system problem that you face.
My laptop is also four years old. Fortunately I paid a bit more for extended warranty to cover five years. I guess I go for a trade-in after the extended warranty expired.
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
21 Sep 09
I have a few things going on away from the computer so I am not sure I will get to do any writing and I still have to confirm that all of my programs are intact since the Windows reinstall but I don't have time this morning to fiddle with the computer. I am waiting for an email response from HP on the latest development and I will work on it again this evening.
@Canellita (12029)
• United States
19 Sep 09
I don't know about the possibilities for a trade in but I am not ready to purchase a new one just yet. I think I may have a solution to the problem but I won't have the opportunity to find out until tomorrow.
