It was a hard-disk failure. I thought it was a videocard problem at first, but I'm scratching my head how my hard-disk failed. So last time I posted about my computer not being able to boot, I've figured out that there was a problem with my old hard-disk. It's a hard-drive that wasn't backed up and 3 years worth of data. I bought a new hard-drive and reinstalled my OS. My computer's working now, and so I just need to find a way to salvage all that data from my old drive. My cousin suggested to turn it into an external drive. But I'm worried about the problem this stubborn old disk is posing. Whenever I plug in the power + SATA, (and while the OS has already booted), my computer crashes into a BSOD. So what I'm concerned about is if I turn my old disk into an external drive, will it crash into BSOD if I plug in the USB? Until I manage to save up money, I need to hold off from using this Dell XPS 730 computer and use my HP with Eyefinity. But my new HP desktop needs a better videocard.

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My Dell XPS 730 gave out on me. I was able to boot my Vista normally tonight and launched Fable 3. When the screen suddenly started becoming corrupted with small squares and what not, I had a bad feeling. Afterwards, my monitor said that the signal was lost, but my computer was still running. Prior to this incident, I used this computer in designing a website. Anyway, I turned the computer off and turned it back on. The Dell logo appears, but there's a green line running on my screen. I fear that my videocard might've gotten broken. The boot option showed next, saying that the computer didn't turn off properly. But a set of green lines were running across my display. I decided to choose Safe Mode and try to access Vista without the use of my Videocard. Unfortunately, when the crcdisk.sys loaded, my computer restarted itself.

Things have gotten really scary for me. I unplugged my computer and tried to check my videocard adapter. It wasn't loose. I opened the computer casing and checked the ATI Radeon 4870x2 itself, and it looked fine. I dusted it off. I removed the adapter and plugged it in the other slot. I turned the computer on, with the casing open, and the display looked normal. There were no more corruption or lines on the display while the Dell logo appeared. There were no more green lines when it was prompting me to start Windows normally or something else. I tried booting Windows normally. But when the green loading bar appears after sometime, my computer restarts again. No BSOD. I tried clearing CMOS or defaulting my BIOS. Then I tried to boot Safe Mode with the command prompt. My PC would load and lists the files necessary, but when I got to crcdisk.sys, it restarts itself again. It's frustrating. I hit F8 for advanced booting options just before the Windows Logo appears. And I find that there IS NO REPAIR COMPUTER OPTION! I searched the discs that came along my computer. I bought it 3 years ago. I found a Vista Reinstallation disc. I inserted the disc and rearranged the booting order. And when it said to hit any key to boot the cd/dvd, I did. Windows loaded some files and I waited. Crossed fingers. Unfortunately again, a blue screen appeared. I noticed an NTFS.sys error and a Fault in non paged area on it.

So.

There is no startup repair. I can't boot Safe mode. I can't re-install Vista. I can't access the command prompt. I don't know if this is a virus or a hardware problem. There has to be a way to boot into something!

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How was your first day of school? Mine was nothing out of the ordinary. I'm back on the evenings. I'd prefer going to school in the morning, so I won't have to do anything in the afternoon. But since I can't find a morning class for my course, I have no other choice. Speaking of going back to school, I'm back. I took a month off without notice. Shameless. Sorry about that. My past spring term really took its toll on me and I was left with more or less than two months of summer break, so I just relaxed, played and enjoyed my heart out. No brain intensive activity. I wanted to be lazy. My brain purposely turned off its process in writing. So there was no writing for me in the month of August. No fan updates across my web space too. I think it was necessary, as I had a lot of time trying to refresh myself. Now, I feel a momentum shift towards writing.

I'm taking a course on software analysis and design requirements. It looks fairly straightforward. I'll be taking database management next. The only thing that's funny about my software analysis and design course is that the final exam is 60%. So if I'm feeling daring, I could just skip all the homework and forget my midterm and just study for the final exam. Besides, there's just 7 chapters. However, I'm not really the daring type of guy. And doing all the work prior to the final exam will give me breathing space while writing it. But 60%?!

The BER months are upon us! *So let's start playing Christmas songs!*

Anybody excited for PS4? I am. I'm not buying it on launch date, but I will be buying a Wii U + a PS4. The Wii U deluxe bundle will cut its prices down to $299 this fall. Instead of developing the 2DS, it's in my opinion that they should've pursued integrating the Wii U with the use for multiple gamepads: make games that use 2 or more Wii U gamepads (their tablet controllers), and then start selling them separately. They should develop that need for multiple Wii U gamepad support, so their Wii U market would stay competitive when the Xbox One and PS4 are released. The DS/3DS market already owns, with the lacking number of decent PS Vita games; Nintendo should've just pursued on improving the Wii U capabilities.

I want to treat myself this Christmas. There's a lot on my list if I think about it. My new eyefinity rig needs a better videocard and a speaker. I'm looking at an ATI Radeon HD 7970 and a pair of BOSE speakers. I have a feeling I'm going to be spending at least $1000 again. Those 'discretionary expenses' are the reason why I only took one course this fall. Don't tell mom and dad. I'm definitely looking forward to this fall.

Labels: blogs