Oh boy oh boy oh boy.. (tech help plz..?)

Murphy's law seems to apply only when I don't buy a warranty lol...

So, a few days ago I found my computer cycling the "start in safe mode?" screen over and over as it failed to load windows.

Since then I have failed to reload windows without getting the same result.

It is an np5791 (i guess they call it a 92 now).
so it has the 8700, the t7500 a 7200rpm hard drive (200 gig) and the 1 GB turbo memory module, let me know if you guys need any other specs.

Basically, I have the drivers CD, two boot cd's (64 and 32 bit), the turbo memory cd and nero and powerplay dvd cd's (everything it shipped with from sagernotebooks.com). Also, I have the 5792's 8800 compatible motherboard since it was recently shipped, so I'm hoping I don't have the wrong driver on the dvd for the chipset or whatever (?).

What steps should I take in reinstalling windows? Thanks. Just want to know how to do this right.

 

1. Backup
2. Install OS
3. Install Drivers

 

Done, did not work the last 3 times.

Perhaps I am installing incorrectly?

Should I do the turbomemory CD first, or should I do the driver CD first. Or should I do windows update first (or at the same time)?

Thanks.

 

Sounds like HDD errors. Hopefully software, and not hardware.

For software fix, I would recommend to do a
CHKDSK C: /F

You can use your Windows CD/DVD (Recovery Console), or a boot disk.

 

I think Vista does not give you the option of doing a Fresh Install like XP does where you have the option of doing a Full Format. It just does a quick format and then installs. At least that’s the impression I got.

Anyway, have you tried reinstalling Windows and then rebooting your computer a few times without having installed any drivers? Reason I am asking is if it is not going into the Safe Mode you’ll know it is one of the drivers. Then just install one driver at a time and see which one is causing the safe Mode.

Like Gophn said, it sounds like a HDD errors. Depending on the HDD brand you have, you can go to the manufacturer’s web site and download their Diagnostics Software. I am guessing you have a Seagate, just go to their site and download their Seatools. Keep in mind it will be in an ISO format so you have to burn it with Nero to make a bootable disc. Boot up with it and it will run tests on your HD and if there are any errors it will fix them. Even if you have bad sectors, you can do a low level format with those tools and it will fix those as well

Good Luck

 

OK, I rebooted without any drivers a few times. Looked fine, so does that clear me from hard drive problems?

Looks like the problem is the driver for the turbo memory module, when I tried installing that (it was the very last thing I tried to install) it gave me the blue screen and said something about a driver.

It's sitting in safe mode right now while I try and figure out what to do next... Should I restart to normal windows and try to get online and get a new driver for it? I think I must be doing something wrong though, my computer worked fine for over a week before this started happening and it used all the same software i'm using now right? All I'm doing is installing the software I got from Sager.

Thanks!

 

Also when trying to install the Robson (Turbo Memory) off the drivers CD it wasn't detected...

I then put in the actual turbo memory CD and installed it from there, at which point I encountered problems.

 

Thank mecha, wasn't sure on that and they were closed when I got home to call and find out (I live in hawaii).

Anyway, I did some research as far as the Turbo memory, and found the answer in (of all places!) the manual. I need to enable it before I install the OS, which means i gotta do this a 5th time At least now theres some hope...

I'll give you guys an update as I work through the bugs here but it sounds like that will solve my problem. As far as why my system crashed initially... I have no Idea, hope it doesn't happen again. Thanks again.

Edit: the robson was already enabled... bad news... I'll see what else I can do.

 

have you done the CHKDSK?

Well... if you actually do a clean install (with a full format), then the CHKDSK might not be needed.

Make sure the memory is healthy (by doing a MemTest86+), and making sure your HDD is healthy (with CHKDSK, HDD Tune benchmark, and maybe HDDlife)

 

I did the CHKDSK

I'll run the other programs thanks.

 

Aloha to Hawaii, must be nice living there, it is on my list to visit places. Maybe one day when I win the lotto..

Looks like it is your Turbo Memory. Windows gives you a blue screen as a protection measure when it feels that some hardware might be damaged due to incompatibility with drivers, overclcoking or simply Bill Gates does not like a certain brand of hardware or software.. Just kidding on the Bill Gates thing..

Now before you Format again, boot up into safe mode and uninstall the Turbo Memory drivers. After that go into your BIOS and disable the Turbo Memory for now. Download the programs Gophn told you about in his post and run some tests. I have a feeling they will be fine, but it is good to run those tests for peace of mind. Also download the diagnostic tools for your HDD and run tests. It is not as bad as it seems and in the case of MemTest86+ you do not have to run the overnight test just a quick test will let you know if everything is OK.

It is always a good idea to do the troubleshooting yourself before sending it back. It will save you the time to send it in and get it back. There is a wealth of information on this forum and the good folks here are always willing to help plus you can always call Tech Support over at Sager after you have isolated the problem.

Sometimes Windows can not detect the Hardware on the bundled drivers disk, like the one you got with your Laptop, because it does not know where the inf. File is. It’s like duh, I don’t know where to look.. In this case you need to help it a little. Hence the HAVE DISK Method.. It is worth a shot.

Now comes the fun part.. Maybe you already know how to do a Have Disk Drivers install. Anyway here goes:

First go back into your BIOS and enable Turbo Memory. Once in Windows put your Sager Drivers CD that came with your laptop. Close all your pop ups, cancel the Found New hardware pop up if you get that and all other pop ups.

Now you need to get to your Device Manager. Go to Control Panel, click on System then Hardware then Device Manager. You should see a Yellow Question Mark next to either an Unknown Device or maybe Turbo memory or something similar to that.

Right click on that and click on Update Driver. Now click on Install from a list of specific location (advanced) and click on Next.

Uncheck Search removable media and Check Include this location in search.

Click on Browse, go to D: or whatever you DVD Rom is and look for the drivers folder then find the Turbo Memory folder and click on it. If all goes well the OK button will come on. Click on OK and the drivers should then install. Restart and see what happens.

If after that you are still having problems just call sager Tech Support. They will help you with that.

I also came across a post on one of the treads here that says if you have 4gigs of Ram the benefits of Turbo Memory are negligible. Can’t remember what post it was but it basically said that Turbo memory will make Windows and games load up a few seconds faster and does not offer any benefits after that. Don’t mean to rain on your parade for having Turbo memory but it is worth reading. Just do a search on Turbo Memory on this Forum and you might find that post.

Man that was a long post.. My head hurts..

 

you are awesome, thanks for the effort I appreciate it ill let u know howit goes

 

OK, uninstalled, rebooted, installed off of intel CD through windows driver installer. Everything seems to be working... *crosses fingers* thanks everyone! Couple days of hell that was...

 

see if there are updated drivers imo

 

Who's kidding? Just don't say anything 'gainst BG within earshot of a Vista system - windows update probably sends reports back to him (maybe that's why my VAIO runs so slow ....:confused2: )

 

LOL Shyster1.. mums the word..lmao