My 68 year old brother thinks that his 65 year old younger brother is a computer expert! - I'm not - so please be gentle.
My brother's PC recently crashed. Since then I have spent many hours trying to bring it back to life. I have tried reloading XP but when I get to Service Pack 2 the screen becomes pixilated. Prior to loading Service Pack 2, the PC and screen work fine, however, Device Manager indicates problems with the following: -
Video Controller
Multimedia Audio Controller
PCI Simple Communications Controller
SM Bus Controller
If I try to load XP without Service Pack 2 and then download 'driver scan programmes' I hit problems with a 'rundll.exe error' which I can only overcome by reloading XP.
I have tried to identify appropriate drivers on my laptop but with no success. When I have sought advice on the internet, I get 'not enough information'.
I have been unable to find a maker's name or serial number on the motherboard (photo attached).This is all the information that I have gleamed so far: -
PROCESSOR
2..45 gigahertz Intel Pentium 4
8 kilobyte primary memory cache
512 kilobyte secondary memory cache
Not hyper-threaded
MAIN CIRCUIT BOARD
Board: i845G-ITE8712 Bus Clock: 133 megahertz Video Card: Intel Extreme Graphics Multimedia: C-Media CMI8738 Chips: Intel FW82801DB FW218IC20 SL66K Cesdx CMI8738/PCI-6ch-LX HRTF 3D Audio MFAPP 0230 UGG 1DE (not sure about Cesdx) ITE IT8712F-A 0228-GXS MF4 JHO RealTek RTL8100B 25203A1 RealTek RTM 360 111R 232 7102.2144
BIOS: Phoenix Technologies, LTD 6.00 PG 07/08/2002
My simple mind tells me that all I need is to identify all the appropriate drivers, copy them to a CD and then upload them prior to laoding Service Pack 2.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Then my brother will believe that I am an expert.
Regards
Peter
Purchase a new computer with Windows 7 for your brother. This can easily be done in consideration of the upcoming holidays. If you insist on staying with XP, you really need to get on SP3.
Then, over a couple of beers with your brother, after the first beer has had time to interact with his system, explain to him that he is mistaken regarding your perceived skillset.
Doc
Well my dear Dr Stragelove,
I had expected all sorts of answers! Mainly responses wrapped up in computer jargon which poor old fools like me could never hope to untangle.
I had also thought that I explained all the hurdles which prevent me from getting to SP3.
The 'couple of pints' are a good idea, however, as the mist clears and skillsets are accepted their will still be the challenge of getting the wretched computer back on it's feet.
Trust you will enjoy your holidays, you certainly do not live in the UK.
Mr Moggs
Previously lived in the UK.... A lager and lime would sure be nice...
Still, your brother would like a new PC, correct?<g>
Doc
About the only thing i do not see in the photo or information is the board part number so i am not sure if this is a Intel board or another OEM like Asus
Based on some of the components i suspect it is not an Intel board (narrow minded i guess, but Intel tends to use Intel chipsets and Intel NICs and Intel .... and this board has a mix.), but I can't say as desktops are not my main experitise.
The generic Video Controller driver is here: http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=9034&lang=eng&wapkw=(i845+driver)
Not so sure where to find these: If you check the detail tab in device manager for these items you can get the Device Intance ID (should look something like this: PCI\VEN_104C&DEV_8023&SUBSYS_34E28086&REV_00\4&31B6CD7&0&08F0) a web search for the part in red will usually locate a driver for the device. It is always best to use the driver supplied by the board manafacture since it is tested with the board. Generic Drivers can behave poorly.
Multimedia Audio Controller
PCI Simple Communications Controller
SM Bus Controller
P.S. make sure you max out the memory in the system. I have retired several units simply because as XP gets patched, it wants more & more & more.
Less than 512m is unbearably slow. 1 g is ok
Thank you very much for your time.
I will use your information together with information from http://www.motherboards.org/forums/viewtopic.php?p=748221#748221
I think that the combined information is adequate to close this posting.
Regards
Mr Moggs
