My desktop is "fudged"

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

I'm on it right now, it's a pretty old Dell and its been acting real weird for a while now. I can't login to certain websites, websites have been crashing a lot, have gotten the blue screen a bunch of times and I just noticed the date set to May 3rd 2003?

I got this when after sending in an error report after it crashed one time


Consider BIOS upgrade

Microsoft is unable to determine the exact cause of this error. However, this problem was most likely caused by an error in your computer’s random access memory (RAM). RAM is the main internal storage area the computer uses to run programs and store data.

During the crash analysis, we noticed the basic input/output system (BIOS) version on this computer does not match the specifications for the central processing unit (CPU), also known as a processor, that is installed on your computer. This can occur when a newer processor is installed on an older system board or older BIOS. Using a BIOS that does not support the installed processor can result in Windows system crashes. Contact your computer manufacturer or motherboard manufacturer for an updated version of BIOS for your computer's processor.

How do I find my computer manufacturer?

Click Start, click Run, type msinfo32, and then click OK. Your computer manufacturer is listed as the System Manufacturer in the right pane of the System Information window.

Click to go online to see contact information for most computer manufacturers

Additional information
Note

*

Upgrading the BIOS version may require moderate to advanced troubleshooting skills. If you are uncomfortable with performing these steps, you might want to consider consulting with paid technical support.
*

If your computer contains an Intel desktop board, click the following link to go online for more information:

Intel desktop board BIOS update instructions

List of BIOS Manufacturers

For a list of BIOS manufacturer websites, see the following two Knowledge Base articles on the Microsoft Support website:

See the article 243909 for a list of BIOS manufacturer websites Part 1 (A-Pi)

See the article 243971 for a list of BIOS manufacturer websites Part 2 (Pr-Z)
I know more info is probably needed but I figured I would put it on here to see anybody had some advice or something/for a start.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Try updating your BIOS. If you do like it says with running MSINFO32 you'll get a screen like this (I've put a box around where it says the make and model number of your mobo)

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a366/hollywoodh/msinfo.jpg

Find the manufacturer website and follow the instructions to upgrade your BIOS.

If that doesn't work, the date resetting makes me think it might be the CMOS battery dying. If you crack the case, it's just a normal flat battery, like this:

http://images.cybertechhelp.com/images/cr2032.gif

Other than that, virus/trojan? You got scanners and things all updated and a scan done?

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

Haven't touched my desktop and weeks and I just went to turn it on, basically went straight to blue screen :(

[Funky Fly]

Also helps if you point out wha operating system you're using. So far, Hasney is on point tho.

[Jesus Shuttlesworth]

Windows XP

I can't update my BIOS though because I can't get past the blue screen. Tried restarting it in safe mode (and every other mode possible) and all the same results w/ the blue screen. Also a random thing, we've lost power a few times recently and each time the computer turns itself on when the power come backs on. That never happened before I had problems with it.

[Bad Company]

Have you backed up your data? Because you will probably need to reinstall windows on your PC. I would suggest buying a new hard drive, chucking it in the PC, and installing windows to that. It's not a complicated process, and I wouldn't use the restore CD that came with the dell, because those installs are usually shit.

I'll help you, but I need to know the exact make and model of the dell, there should be a label on it somewhere with all the details.

[Beauser]

You might be able to use the / chkdsk command to repair any errors that will temporarily allow you to back up your data.

Just a thought.