ctl-alt-del error

[dbax]

recently I've been getting this ctl-alt-del error message at start up, its becoming more frequent and my old desk top often needs rebooting to get it to work. My brief investigations seem to indicate it has something to do with a drive error.
Question is, is it time for a new HDD ?
( currently I'm using an old 80 Gig, backing up onto Ext HDD's)
With the price of HDD's now days should I get one for the operating system and install another for storage or put my $'s into just one large capacity drive?
any advice appreciated

[ameerat42]

HAH!! This is interesting. Mine freezes up a couple of times when 1st started in the morning, with sometimes a flicker of a blue screen.
Then it's stable for the rest of the time.
Um??

[Kym]

If its older than 3 years the reliability will drop off. How much data (images?) can you afford to lose?

New system time methinks!

[steve munro]

I agree with Kym (unless you have the factory restore disks)
Steve

[dbax]

Thanks guys, I'm thinking more and more about a new system, I've been tinkering with this one since about '03, probably time for an upgrade.

[wanderer51]

.............. I've been tinkering with this one since about '03, probably time for an upgrade.

'03? It's a youngster! I am still running a Intel 800Mhz built especially for me by a shop in Cairns in Feb 2000. Still running strong...never misses a beat. Only 'upgrades' to it are an ATI Radeon 9200SE video card, an extra 256 Meg of memory (total of 512)...both in around 2005 to make Flight Sim 2004 run a bit better..... and a Dlink wireless network card (added around 2007).
Admittedly it is not my main PC and since 2007 it only runs two cameras (a CCTV and an Olympus c730), both used as 'webcams', but it still starts up every day and will run quite happily for 10 to 12 hours per day and with XP SP1 it runs VM95 (for the Olympus) and Conquercam (for the CCTV) plus AV and Firewall software...so I guess it isn't over stressed!

[Adrian Fischer]

since 03??? Im surprised the little door to the firebox where you load the coal to operate the steam engine hasnt fallen off already!!

[dbax]

since 03??? Im surprised the little door to the firebox where you load the coal to operate the steam engine hasnt fallen off already!!

LOL yep its had some new bits and pieces over that time, new motherboard, power supply, more RAM etc. I kind of enjoyed keeping the old beast turning over, but I think times about up.

[William]

since 03??? Im surprised the little door to the firebox where you load the coal to operate the steam engine hasnt fallen off already!!

Sorry David You can get very cheap ones at West Burleigh Shopping centre, Bare Bones ones , From FTC Computors in the centre http://www.ftc.com.au/Price%20lists/System.pdf Good and local , Recomended by me

[dbax]

Sorry David You can get very cheap ones at West Burleigh Shopping centre, Bare Bones ones , From FTC Computors in the centre http://www.ftc.com.au/Price%20lists/System.pdf Good and local , Recomended by me

Thanks for that Bill, I might duck over the border and check them out ...soon, Bare Bones is what I'm after and build on it over time

[pjc]

I suggest getting the largest single drive you're happy with. If you want the separation of system from data then you can partition the one drive.

Also are you aware that there are various classes of HDDs?

Ranges from 'green' low power drives like Western Digital 'Green' series (a little slower than average), to run-of-the-mill (usually the cheapest ones) drives like Western Digital 'Blue' series, to higher spec drives like Western Digital 'Black' series. Then if you're really keen you can go for the Raptor high speed drives ($$$).

Of course there's also the possibility of going solid state ($$$$$$$).

Whatever you choose make sure you have a reliable backup strategy in place to cope with the new expanded primary storage you'll end up with.

[ameerat42]

I found my on-board battery is not holding charge overnight. It's cheaper than a new system.

[William]

You put the Mocca's on me David, I should/nt have laughed, My LCD Screen just died this morning Well the computor boots up , But no power to the screen , Was running alright last night, No power light this morning , Not even standby , I've checked the Leads , Anyone got a clue , Otherwise I'll see you at FTC

[dbax]

You put the Mocca's on me David, I should/nt have laughed, My LCD Screen just died this morning Well the computor boots up , But no power to the screen , Was running alright last night, No power light this morning , Not even standby , I've checked the Leads , Anyone got a clue , Otherwise I'll see you at FTC

Sorry to hear that Bill, I'll probably pop into FTC and have a look on the weekend, It took 12 reboots to get it up and running this morning , busily backing up the kids music and stuff, Mines already done

[William]

I'm busy ringing around now, Then I have to find someone with a Calibration tool PS: I'm on young William's Pooter at the moment