computer issues

[oldyam80sg]

My other desktop-(e-machines) has had a problem for awhile.When i plug it in and turn it on,it almost seems like it cannot remember what it has in it to run.I tried restoring it several times but it eventually does the same thing.Nothing appears on the start up screen to tell me i have a problem.It just takes a long time to load the programs.My latest-i tried to install Zone Alarm anti virus/anti spy ware and it stops midway through the installation.Finally it says that i have to retry to install it.I replaced the battery inside the computer(for the clock but I'm stumped.I was told that the battery controls memory also and that if it goes dead i would have problems with certain programs loading.Can someone help me out.Factory restore discs don't help me either.

[Shuriken]

My other desktop-(e-machines) has had a problem for awhile.When i plug it in and turn it on,it almost seems like it cannot remember what it has in it to run.I tried restoring it several times but it eventually does the same thing.Nothing appears on the start up screen to tell me i have a problem.It just takes a long time to load the programs.My latest-i tried to install Zone Alarm anti virus/anti spy ware and it stops midway through the installation.Finally it says that i have to retry to install it.I replaced the battery inside the computer(for the clock but I'm stumped.I was told that the battery controls memory also and that if it goes dead i would have problems with certain programs loading.Can someone help me out.Factory restore discs don't help me either.

There is no need to replace the motherboard battery unless you have seen certain error messages when the computer is first powered on. For example, a bad battery will cause the computer to not remember certain BIOS settings or what the correct date and time are after you shut down and restart the computer.

It sounds as if you are saying that the main problem is that performance seems to have decreased significantly since you got the computer? This would lead me to believe that changes made to your computer since you got it have consumed more system resources (RAM memory, CPU usage, etc.) or that there are less resources available, and you are now noticing the slowdown.

However, another clue is that you said that system restore discs have not helped, either. If you perform a factory system restore (which restores the computer to the state it was in when you first got it), and this does not restore the performance of the computer, I'd say you have some hardware that has failed or that is failing. I would check RAM memory first to make sure that one or more of the RAM chips are not faulty. It also might be possible that other hardware has problems (hard drive, motherboard, power supply, etc.). Is the power supply overheating?

Since you have both changed the CMOS battery and performed a manufacturer restore (but have seen no difference), it could be a possiblity that the computer is not detecting/recognizing all of the available RAM memory, whether or not the RAM chips are defective.

Compare advertised system specs of the system with what specs are actually shown by the computer. Go into the BIOS as the computer is booting and see how much RAM memory is detected and compare it with what supposedly came with the computer. If there is a discrepancy, that would explain your performance loss.

Just some ideas to try.

[CatatonicBug]

I would be sure to back up any important data if you have not already. Be prepared for a Hard Drive failure. E-machines are made by Gateway, and I wouldn't touch a gateway with 39.5' pole. Definitely sounds like either the RAM or the HD is on it's way out.

[Jerry]

with 39.5' pole

You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch.

Boot up problems can be hard to diagnose. First, does the computer go through its power on selft test (POST) as fast as it originally did?

Second, long boot times can mean a service isn't starting or is hanging. You should be able to check your log for error messages:
Start, Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Event Viewer
Doulbe-click each catagory and see if any red error messages are in the logs. If there are, double-click on the message to get a little more explanation of the problem. You can also check the event ID and error message number; if it is an operating system issue you can go to support.microsoft.com and type the event ID into their search engine. A list of causes and solutions will pop up.

Third, the hard drive could be failing or it could be badly fragmented. If you are a DOS guy, go to Start, RUN, type CMD into the run line, then press the Enter key. A DOS window wil open. Type chkdsk /f then press the enter key. You will get a message that says the computer needs to be restarted to complet eht command. Press Y then do a restart of the computer. Another way to get the same thing done is to double click on your My Computer Icon to show the C: Drive, then right-click on C: and go to Properties, then the Tools tab. There is a Check Now box, click on it and check the Fix System Errors box. (If you check both boxes it will take a long time for the checks to be completed, but is a more through way to check you hard drive.) As with the DOS prommpt, a message will tell you that the system needs to be restarted to complete the command.

The same Tools tab has a Defrag option which you should be using regularly if you do not have a 3rd party defrager program, such as Diskeeper. I run the Cleanup program before running the defrag routine.

Another source of problems are temporary internet files. If you are using Internet Explorer, open it up and go to the Tools tab. Click on the Clear History and Clear Files buttons; these remove old internet cache files from your computer. It can run into a substantial amount of space.

If tese possible fixes don't work get back to us for some advanced tips.

[oldyam80sg]

Completely erased hard drive and put in factory restore disc.Everything seemed to work ok and then i removed factory security company.Went to restart computer and i got a long message stating that something went wrong with Windows.Tried to run in safe mode and last known good working configuration-no good.Windows XP logo comes on briefly and then the same old thing.New power supply put in earlier this year.I'm getting tired of playing with this thing.My Compaq has not given me any issues since i bought it.How expensive is a hard drive and is it work it?If not then i will remove the hard drive and junk it-unless anyone wants to play with this.Cover the cost of shipping and its yours.

[Shuriken]

You could always do a google search to see if there is a pattern of eMachines problems...

To clarify:
1. You erased the drive and rebuilt the system from the factory system restore disc
2. You removed factory security

Question: What do you mean "removed factory security" ? What are you talking about? Anti-virus software?

What if you erase/rebuild one more time and then not try to remove anything?

[oldyam80sg]

It came with Macafee security virus protection installed.I simply removed it so it would not conflict with my zone alarm security.

[CatatonicBug]

Sounds like a bad Hard Drive. A fresh install of Windows will sometimes catch the bad spots, but not always. I would suggest a new one.

Oh, and stay away from McAffee.

[oldyam80sg]

I also had problems with Norton.!5 days before it expired it stopped working.I was going to renew it and a friend told me about Zone Alarm.Day 1 with Zone Alarm found 2 spy ware issues and a Trojan.Approx how much is a hard drive? Is it worth it?

[CatatonicBug]

First thing about antivirus - You should never have to pay for it. There are plenty of free ones out there that do a much better job because they are made by people who actually care.

A new hard Drive depends on the size you want, but you can get a full terrabyte HD for $100 online nowadays.

[xswilly]

1st thing, make sure you actually format the drive, when you restore it,
if not, you are installing over a messed up system.

e machines are famous for the motherboard going bad

2nd thing make sure your cpu fan is working, overheating will slow it down and eventually kill it

your restore disk may not do a format
go to bootdisk.com and download and create a bootdisk
then format the drive and then do the restore

[planedick]

Sounds like

I think you have a bug at low level, (bios) which I had once when I had Norton that didn't even know it was there. Same kind of scenario. I had to use fdisk, repartition and format the HD and reload everything.

[oldyam80sg]

IS bootdisk.com free?According to the site- no.Got onto the Microsoft links-everyone of the things on the site tells me that I'm forbidden to access the page.

[jrplumber1]

caps

Check the capacitors around the processor for bulging e machines are netourios for bad caps around the proc. if they looked swelled then thats your prob.

[xswilly]

alot of the stuff on bootdisk.com is free or shareware
some stuff you have to pay for