Odd problem.

**Blacksmith1** · 07-27-2011, 07:14 PM

Posting in here because I'm not sure where to start.
the system is an old (about 2005) gateway 831gm they don't even list it when you go to gateway for driver updates so i guess all the 830 models use the same ones.
It has XP MCE for the OS. it;s a basic sytem with teh only addons being a modem and an old grfprce 5200 PCI card. it has PCI-E but it's not being used.
the problem is that whenever you install anything, anti virus app, or even windows upates, the next boot is a black screen instead of the desktop( it shows the XP load screen with the blue progress bar then zip...nada) and the only way to get it working is restore to orignal condition either in system restore or using the gateway recovery software on the second partion to resore it to factory new setup. either way it's pretty much un-usable without being able to so much as update the service packs.
I suspect it's some minor hardware problem since I did a deep system scan with the drive in my main sys looking for everything including root-kits. but I'm at a loss where to look or what to check. the system lived with a heavy smpoker and is covered in tar inside, and there is a slight "burnt" smell that has nothing to do with the cigarettes.
anyone ever get one like this?

**Dragon** · 07-27-2011, 11:06 PM

I have had machines like that. Most of the time I told em it has to be replaced. The suggestion I can give you requires a bit of work, and you will lose the restoration OS. You could try a low level format (write 0's) to the drive. then reinstall the OS. but you will lose the restoration partition by doing so.

**James86** · 07-28-2011, 01:46 AM

I agree with Dragon it's time for a new PC

**Blacksmith1** · 07-28-2011, 03:23 AM

In that case I will just send it back to him. It belongs to my soon to be Ex's dad. I am gonna try one more thing first. I'm going to restore it to the first boot where it worked again, and then install the factory update drivrs and see what happens.

**Blacksmith1** · 07-28-2011, 10:04 PM

Ok, the same crap. loaded the new drivers first, and even replaced the 5200 with my old 8600gt(which I know works perfectly), system botted fine, as soon as I install the windows updates the thing hangs on the way to the desktop. just at the point where it moves from the black xp load screen to the blue windows is loading/welcome screens. and using boot log is useless because safe mode over writes it, and I can only get to it by booting into safe mode. Looks like daddy in law is stuck with a very large paperwieght.