New (old) computer

Zeke · 03-28-2011, 08:28 PM

Big time crash on my work horse. The shop says DOA with no chance of survival. The tech didn't like the "missing file, (blah blah) "system32.root.hal.DLL"

I have this old Dell from a hundred years ago that has like 125 mb RAM. I will be sucking for awhile.

Meanwhile, after nearly 8 hours of setting up. I'm having trouble with "Wireless Zero Configuration." If I can get this worked out, I can get a connection with my WUSB54G wireless adaptor. Otherwise, I have to manually start that each time I boot up.

Don't even ask me how I got this far because I'm computer stupid.

A little help, please. TIA.

pete3799 · pete3799's Garage

Don't feel lonesome Milt.
I know where the on-off button is if that's any help.

Zeke · 03-28-2011, 09:32 PM

I'm not lonesome. Frustrated, yes. It will take some getting used to being able to have one tab open at a time. I had 3 going a minute ago (habit because I could have 10 with only 1 gb amount of RAM) and it took 30 seconds just to switch between tabs.

I won't suffer this sch!it too long. I'll find the money for a new computer!

porsche4life · porsche4life's Garage

Milt, give slodave a shout... He's the guy to help you...

slodave · slodave's Garage

I've tried.

Even given him an open invitation to call.

Zeke · 03-28-2011, 09:39 PM

Dave is a cool guy and knows his stuff. I actually "owe" him one. I was thinking about having him look at my DOA unit.

But, for now, I know there are several people here that know about settings. That's all I need unless I downloaded the wrong version of the WUSB54G drivers.

Where the hell is my disc?

Oops, Dave got a post in there while I was typing.

slodave · slodave's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by milt

Big time crash on my work horse. The shop says DOA with no chance of survival. The tech didn't like the "missing file, (blah blah) "system32.root.hal.DLL"

Meanwhile, after nearly 8 hours of setting up. I'm having trouble with "Wireless Zero Configuration." If I can get this worked out, I can get a connection with my WUSB54G wireless adaptor. Otherwise, I have to manually start that each time I boot up

The tech was lazy and didn't want to spend the time to fix the issue.

Can you explain the last part in a little more detail? What is the trouble?

Zeke · 03-28-2011, 09:44 PM

128 mb RAM. This is actually pretty funny. I had forgotten all about the old days and dial up....

And here I am trying to divest myself of all life's complications and burdens. I should be relishing this.

Not.

nynor · 03-28-2011, 09:45 PM

the other machine is missing a .DLL file and it is DOA? i am confused.... unless i am mistaken, the .hal file has to do with partitioning information. i wish i was there. i'd love to have a crack at that machine.

Zeke · 03-28-2011, 09:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slodave

The tech was lazy and didn't want to spend the time to fix the issue.

Can you explain the last part in a little more detail? What is the trouble?

Dave, thanks for coming forth on this.

I simply get a message that my connection is good (or better) but there is "no connectivity."

Talk about things that don't make sense.

Anyway, while searching the Net for some 3 hours, I found some info about "no connectivity." That led me to some of the menus. By manipulating the "start" "automatic" and disable features in the properties section of "network connections," I have managed to get online 3-4 times today.

I'll look to see if I can find where I was and do a screen shot.

slodave · slodave's Garage

When it shows a "good" connection, but no connectivity, go to (assuming Win2000 or XP) Start -> Run. Type CMD and hit enter. A black box should come up. Type 'ipconfig /all" without the quotes, hit enter and look post send me the results.

Zeke · 03-28-2011, 10:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nynor

the other machine is missing a .DLL file and it is DOA? i am confused.... unless i am mistaken, the .hal file has to do with partitioning information. i wish i was there. i'd love to have a crack at that machine.

It was the ".hal" part that he didn't like. He said it stood for "hard drive allocation."

Dave, I can't figure out what to do with the screen shot. I once uploaded such an animal but I can't do it now.

CONTROL PANEL> ADMINISTRATIVE TOOLS>SERVICES> (scroll to WIRELESS ZERO CONFIGURATION)> (highlight and right click)> choose MANUAL and then up on the upper left, choose START and I'm connected.

When I shut down, I have to do this all over again.

Proud of me?

It sucks.

Zeke · 03-28-2011, 10:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slodave

When it shows a "good" connection, but no connectivity, go to (assuming Win2000 or XP) Start -> Run. Type CMD and hit enter. A black box should come up. Type 'ipconfig /all" without the quotes, hit enter and look post send me the results.

Did that about noon today, but I did not put in the "/all." Nothing came back.

I'll have to reboot to get to the point where I can't connect due to "no connectivity."

I don't stay up as late as you youngin's, so this might be all she wrote for now.

Appreciate your help and a PM will be on its way.

slodave · slodave's Garage

HAL = Hardware Abstraction Layer... Has nothing to do with HD allocation.

Zeke · 03-28-2011, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slodave

HAL = Hardware Abstraction Layer... Has nothing to do with HD allocation.

Well, he did kinda mumble and I'm pretty sure his accent is Jamaican, so I was at a disadvantage.

Anywho, is that serious, or is he "lazy?"

slodave · slodave's Garage

I like the challenge. If the client has a few days, I have no problem throwing everything at it. What it boils down to, is $. At my rates, I can't always charge 8/10/15 hours to fix that type of an issue. It'd be cheaper to buy a new pc. I basically cap at 2 hours for that kind of stuff. If he was a $39.95 flat fee guy then, he'd lose $ big time fixing the problem.

Zeke · 03-28-2011, 11:05 PM

I'm pickin' up on what you're puttin' down.

Other than my list of favorites and a few pics of my most recent 911, there is not much that I can't live with throwing the tower away.

slodave · slodave's Garage

Not trying to "puttin'" anything down.

I personally feel better saving a pc for someone, even if it takes a couple of days and not fully billable.

I just think the tech didn't want to deal with/fix the problem.

azasadny · azasadny's Garage

Ship me the DOA unit and I'll fix it and send it back to you , ready to go! Of course, shipping is expensive, but I have enough spare parts and experience with these things to fix just about anything, unless it's a laptop.

Zeke · 03-29-2011, 07:36 AM

Art, I'm going to cal Dave and see what he wants to do. I have to be clear about the tech guy in the corner shop down the street. He said he could fix the thing with a new HD. He was honest about it, $200 put into something that is old and would not have anything left in it, or spend the money towards a new 64 bit. 4 GB RAM 500 GB HD with a 400 mghz something processor that was likely to cost no more than $700.

He just said recovery would be difficult at best.