Repairing Windows 7

[Paul K]

Ben, Dave...yes, I too am under the impression that MWB isn't an anti-virus as such. For an antivirus, I use Microsoft Security Essentials ( meaning its Essential you get rid of it and use something else ) so when this whole headache is over, I shall get a proper A.V. like Bitdefender or Avast.

I'm accumulating knowledge here. Thank you, gentlemen.

[TSR2]

It still sounds like a board fault to me mate.

[Paul K]

It still sounds like a board fault to me mate.

It could well be, Ben. About a month ago, when I booted up, everything was bright red. By that I mean the screen that shows all the POST text before Windows boots. When it got to Windows, it was all still red and I pressed the reset button. Again, it was red but eventually I got to the normal pale blue Windows screen and all was well from there. It hasn't happened since, but maybe that occurrence, along with these latest problems, are indicative of something slowly dying.

EDIT: I wonder if it's my CMOS battery dying - its as old as the PC, about 7 years. I've been reading the symptoms and loss of system disk settings in BIOS is one of them. Sound plausible ?

[DaveB]

It does Paul. Although I've yet to have a CMOS battery die on me, it may well be the root of your problem. It may be worth sourcing a replacement battery (they're cheap as chips these days). I'm not sure what state your system reverts to having changed one but at worst, it should only reset to default.

What say you Ben?
ATB
DaveB

[TSR2]

I cant see how a cmos battery would cause the performance issues or genuine windows warning. While it might explain some anomalies, I cant see how it would explain these. 7 years isn't a bad innings.

[Paul K]

Well, I'll change it anyway at the weekend. Of course, I'll have to make a record of all my BIOS settings before I remove the old one. Some people write them down on a notepad, others take pictures of the various screens using a digital camera. I'll end up doing both, probably.

I thought computers were supposed to make our lives easier.

[TSR2]

If you mean your going to change your motherboard, remember the settings will relate to that board, and as a rule of thumb, its best not to copy setting between different boards.

[Paul K]

No, I meant changing the CMOS battery, Ben, but I know what you mean. If I need to change the motherboard, the whole thing will be done by World of Computers at Milton. When I have a choice between spending money and tearing my hair out, I reach for the credit card these days.

[TSR2]

Doh! Sorry Paul. Wasn't thinking

[Paul K]