machnicki

Yes I learned my lesson and have purchased an external storage drive. The guy that was working on my computer said he didn't know what caused the failure. I went to a service center similar to a GeekSquad in BestBuy. I told them to recover and restore. I figure they don't have time to look into it for answers. I have been looking into the over-heating issue all over eMachines related forums and its very wide spread. Even Wikipedia mentions it in eMachines file. Do you guys suppose t

Well, its done. My data has been salvaged, the system restored, and only 125 euros in the hole. Thanks to everyone for their assistance.

[quote]eMachines units also have notorious fan/dust problems. You will want to use an air can to blow dust out of any open fan vent. If left unattended, an eMachines unit will overheat to the point of damaging the components.[/quote] Whoa. Its amazing when things actually fit together. My fan [I]has [/I] been acting up. I have to constantly hit it with compressed air. In the past the fan would kick up to a high speed for 8 seconds and then cut the power as a precaution. So is

I'll see what I can do. Thanks Mark.

Thanks, but the XP disc isn't here. Its really good to hear that you think the hard drive is still breathing. I'll have to see if its possible to get someone to look at the thing.

Zubaz, I asked for assistance. Not everyone is skilled with computers. You'd think that if you're hanging out in forums like this one, you're motivation would be to help and be patient with someone who needs it. If you want to rub in my face that you know more about electronics than I do to give yourself a baby hard-on, do it at someone elses expense.

In BIOS, how can i check if the HD is ok? Should I load default configuration? Correction....I just opened what I thought would contain the XP cd that my landlord sent me....its just a setup packet with a chunk of cardboard inside...sigh.

i just popped in the restore cd. It read it, loaded and then before I could look at anything it said "All files, including user data will be removed and the system will be restored. Do you want to continue?" I didnt like the sound of that so I popped it out and restarted. Back to square one. Should I try the XP disc?

who you calling a noob? wtf is a noob? sounds gay. Zubaz I'm going with your advice. It's your ass.

oh crap. its time isn't it. I'm gonna have lunch first. And a strong drink.

and what exactly does he mean by "Ensure the system is set to boot of CD before your 1st Hard drive (HDD-0) "?

so do i put it in my computer and then start it up?

I wanted to let you know that I've received my restore disk and my 2002 XP disc. As I'm in a foreign country and cannot communicate well I'm not able to find a pro to back up my computer. Some have told me to stick the restore disc in and you are telling me to start with the XP disc. I don't know what to start with. I'm sitting here with my dead and unplugged laptop and the discs. Where do I begin?

So, I'd like to thank all of you for your help. I've shifted from a state of panic and trigger happy to hopefull. I've learned some things today. Nerds rule and eMachines blow. I would love to just blame Stardock, but the fact is I bought a computer because it had the new 64 AMD when it first came out and knew nothing of the company. THANKS AGAIN!!!! I'll let you know if it works in 48 hours or so.

I've got someone in my apartment with the CD now, it will be shipped in the morning.

maybe a month or two

cant say

I've ignored one or two updates, but I ran the last one.

i have never setup a admin password.

I know i havn't been doing the updates, but I have been regularly cleaning my computer, and constantly sweeping it for worms, trojans, spyware, and such. I will try to get my disc by mail and uses the repair feature. If it works, great. If it doesn't...Stardock is buying me a new Sony Vaio. Thanks you all for the insite...really.

I'd say the last time I updated was 8 - 12 months ago.

no. Its eMachines. Whats OEM?

I'm thousands of miles away from the box. I have a Windows XP Home Edition sticker on the bottom of my laptop....would that be useful?

how do i find that out?

SP what? break it down...I am not up on my computer terms