A computer question for those computer literate out there!!!

[goofy4tink]

Looks like I have to replace our computer. When I 'try' to start it up, it looks like modern art!!! Lots of colors, but you can't decipher anything!! Someone told me that I need more memory, which makes sense since I started getting 'low memory' messages. So.....I need one of the Geek Squad to transfer all my stuff from the old one to the new one I buy. But, can they do that with the old harddrive being so whacky?? I mean, you can't read anything!!
The other question is this.....any recommendations as to what I should be looking for in a new desk top? I don't do much other than surf around..no gaming, I do have my photo storage but don't do any editing, dd would like to be able to do stuff with music. What should I be looking for? I am so not comuter literate!!!

 

[Charade]

It sounds like your video card or the settings are messed up. Turn off your PC and then turn it on. When you turn it on, keep pressing the "F8" key (repeatedly) until you see the "Safe Mode" screen. Choose the "Safe Mode" boot option and then see what happens.

Then check the screen settings. "right click" on a blank area of the desktop and (left) click on "Properties". Click on the "Settings" tab and see what your settings are. Then click on the "Advanced" button (down at the bottom). Then click the "monitor" tab. What is the "screen refresh rate" set to? If that's too high, you will get what you describe. Set it to 60 and then click "OK". Then click "OK" until you're back at the main dialog box. Now reboot and see what happens.

 

[goofy4tink]

Nothing, I get nothing but lots of nicely colored areas, and some areas that are still black and white..,can't get anything to clear up enough to see anything!!! I'm going to dig a big hole in the backyard and bury it. Using dh's laptop is a huge pain....I'm way to used to my own keyboard!!!!

 

[Charade]

Check the cable connection from the PC to the monitor

 

[reeeoga]

It does sound like the video card is toast. I had one do the same thing. I replaced the card and it worked great (still does).

IF you want to go buy the cheapest card you can find and put it in you PC. If the card in the PC is the Onboard (buit into the mainboard) you will not get a picture until the puter finishes booting.

IF you don't want to go get a new PC, and place your old Harddrive as a secondary HD.

 

[goofy4tink]

Check the cable connection from the PC to the monitor

Nope, it's fine. I think it's toast. Still getting nothing but very colorful gibberish.