[Chevy 70 SS vert]

My Toshiba Tecra 8100 laptop crashed several weeks ago (500 mhz 512 mb ram). It locks up all the time, as if it can't find the program its looking for. I am very good about keeping it virus and spyware free. The first computer guy I spoke with looked at it and stated the Windows 98 update didn't install correctly and it was on the wrong part of the disk. He claimed he put it in the right place and defragmented it. He claimed that it was fixed. Cost $0. I got it back same problem almost instantly. The second computer guy looked at it stated that a simple format of the hard drive would solve the issue. I proceeded to format the hard drive and reinstall all of the software using the Toshiba factory installation disks. On installation of the software the lap top locked and could not be restarted. The 2nd computer guy today took the laptop and stated he would do it thinking I wasn't doing it right. On the final installation of the factory software file 11 of 12 it locked up again and we could not continue. Cost $0. Based on the cost I have paid I guess I am getting what I pay for.

I have also been told that these laptops only last about 6 years and then they become worthless if something goes wrong, like mine. Is that true? Yes my lap top goes on the road with me alot, every week about 1000 miles in the car. Nevers sits outside in the cold/heat.

I bought this laptop thinking it would last a lot longer than this. I am not looking to put a lot of money into this but does anybody have any ideas?

 

[Ethan1]

Hi,
Have you tried deleting the primary partition on the hard drive, create a new primary partition and then format the C: drive? Or, you can get a new hard drive or buy a new laptop.

Ethan

 

[Chevy 70 SS vert]

No I haven't tried partitioning it. As I have never done that. Can you explain?

 

[Keith Tedford]

Our HP started acting silly and it was the hard drive dying. Fortunately a young computer whizz across the road installed a new, better drive, set it up, and it has been working fine ever since.

 

[Dean]

Bring it over and let me try putting XP Pro on it Charley.
or just buy a new one and sell it to me (cheap)

Some computer guy told Dan his desk top computer was shot so he bought a new one and gave the old one to me.
It's been working fine for a long time now.

 

[Ethan1]

Hi,
As long as you have boot diskette with Fdisk on it and the Windows 98 OS CD. It would take a long time for me to explain this, but here is a good website: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/255867.

Ethan

 

[Smittie]

500 MHz? Personally I don't think I would bother, especially when you can land a Dell.com deal with wireless for a couple to 3 hundred $$ with a Pentium processor in the 1-2GHz range. I know because I bought one. Just install Norton Anti-Virus or equivalent to protect those wacky PC's.

 

[shep_77]

I agree with Smittie. I think that the problem is with the media if it cannot copy one of the files from disk the disk has an imperfection or the CD ROM has a problem either way not worth the hassle / cost of replacing the CD ROM or trying to find good media.

 

[Gene McGill]

Try blowing all of the vent opening out with compressed air in a can. Could be overheating.

 

[justkyle]

Our HP started acting silly and it was the hard drive dying. Fortunately a young computer whizz across the road installed a new, better drive, set it up, and it has been working fine ever since.

I had the same problem with my Sony Vaio. I replaced the hard drive and it has been working fine ever since. It cost about $150.

 

[GRN69CHV]

Just dealt with similiar issues with my old HP (circa 2001). It genertes a lot of heat now (has been cleaned). I did resolve the freezing by deleting everything except Norton. I use the Norton for Virus, Spam and firewall. Stay off the "wrong" sites and it now chugs along fine. Also, the older units do not take well to moving them while turned on.

 

[ChaosEnvy]

500MHZ. Me, I would get a new one, but that is just me. I am an IT Guy so anything that slow, I would set up as kids play terminal at my doctors office or something. Gets me a free visit or no waiting, not to mention the tax write off.

 

[Steve340]

You can get a nice 600 dell
sounds like you have either a HD issue, or a media cd-rom issue

Steve
" Former IS Guy "