What's happened to my PC?

[Gentle Ben]

Right it refuses to load up now, it gets as far as the log in screen and the background display is garbled and out of resolution.

It tries to run Scandisk but if you cancel the process it tries to install some apparently 'new' hardware that it's detected and when it doesn't find it it comes up with some error message that contains 'SURegKey'

It started happening when Chris was here, but if you switched the unit off and back on it would usually get to the log-on screen okay and load up without issue. Last few days the amount of times you have to switch-off and back on before it loaded up okay just kept increasing and now it flat refuses to load up!

I'm guessing a registry key error is pretty major... anyone got any ideas what might be up? The machine is a fair few years old and is well overdue for some hardware upgrades and Windows XP - currently running ME at the mo.

[The T.I.B.]

does Safe Mode work?

EDIT: Sounds like a graphics card problem. Sarting in Safe Mode might work, then you could reinstall your graphics driver.

Always worth opening it up with the power off and checking all the cards are properly seated in their sockets too, its surprising how they can work loose, particularly if they have a large external plug attached to them!

[bidderman1969]

dont talk to me about bloody computers! having to reset this thing back to factory settings if it keeps pissing me off like it has been doing, almost the same as your problem, but mines only 7-8 months old!

[alansr1916v]

boot it up in safe mode, press F8 on the second screen u c when u first turn pc on, once in in safe mode, then do a system restore, if u not sure how to do it, clik on start,all programmes,accessories,system tools then system restore, then follow the instructions, when u get a calender come up select the earliest date possible an click ok/next, this will restore ur pc settings to that date and time but u will NOT lose any work u have done or any stuff u have saved! hope this works an sorry if u already new how to do it

[Gentle Ben]

Cheers for the info chaps, I'd gathered that safe mode was the way forward but couldn't remember how to do it.

PC's are crap lol.

[alansr1916v]

u got that right, mine sometimes gets to the windows xp loading screen then just restarts its self over an over again until i start it on safe mode!! bloody things! not to sure if the way to the system restore will be the same on ME as it is on xp but u should get a rough idea as to where it is

[bbracer16valver]

thats defo not right alan you sound like you got conflicting sotware

[tom 16v]

anothe rway of finding systen restore is click start, run, type in "msconfig" then enter and you will get a box pop up, first things first click the startup tab and switch off all the programmes you dont use, basically everytime you install something it automatically starts on its own when you switch pc on. have everything on startup menu switched off on mine and it starts in lightning speed, then if that does not work click on system restore in the same menu and restore it back a few weeks.

with regards to the start up menu though i would untick everything in it and then apply and ok this has always worked for me, after doing this you may need to click on your anti virus programmes manually but it will be fine on startup

[Gentle Ben]

I did the System Restore trick like Alan suggested and all is okay!

[Huw]

A point of note, ME is horrible, even 98 was easier to work with. I tend to put off working on ME machines when they come in work. The only advantage I can really see in everyday use with ME over 98 is far better USB support and possibly system restore, but you could do a restore with 98, it was just a bit more involved.

[Gentle Ben]

My machine is long overdue for an upgrade, HDD is nearly maxed out at 3Gb free out of 55Gb. 256MB RAM, 64MB graphics, tis okay, does all I need it to.

If I could justify spending the money on upgrades I would but having a kick-ass spec PC doesn't really do much for me!

Windows XP would be a good enough upgrade, I got a copy off a dodgy Sunday market for £7, not sure if I trust it to work, besides I don't know how to install a new OS over an old one and what will happen to my files etc.

[Huw]

Originally Posted by Gentle Ben

My machine is long overdue for an upgrade, HDD is nearly maxed out at 3Gb free out of 55Gb. 256MB RAM, 64MB graphics, tis okay, does all I need it to.

If I could justify spending the money on upgrades I would but having a kick-ass spec PC doesn't really do much for me!

Windows XP would be a good enough upgrade, I got a copy off a dodgy Sunday market for £7, not sure if I trust it to work, besides I don't know how to install a new OS over an old one and what will happen to my files etc.

Stick the disc in the drive, see if it lets you do an 'upgrade' its not ideal but its the best way to do it without loosing all your files/settings. If its off a market it will probaby have a dodgy code which may mean you wont be able to install sp1/2. Try googling the cd key, sometimes they come up.

[Gentle Ben]

You'll have to enlighten me here Huw.... what's SP1/2?

[The T.I.B.]

Service Pack. Updates for windows XP cos the release version wasn't quite perfect, lets say. SP2 came out a couple of years back and seems to be the standard across XP. It's a free download providing your Windows XP is legit.!

[Chris H]

if you load a dodgy copy then turn auto updates off so you don't get hassled.