Interesting Computer Issue

So I was given a computer to work on yesterday as it was ‘running slow’ and it wouldn’t boot. System is Vista Home Prem 32bit (1gb of ram) in a mini-tower. (HP)
scanned thru the system found 3 trojans, removed those. system was just bogged down by useless processes running, so i went to do a system recovery. when i booted that, it had a corrupt file on there and wouldn’t jump past that screen (even with vista dvd in drive)
So.. then formatted that system recovery drive along with the main partition of the OS , and decided that a fresh copy of Vista would be best to go. What I am running into now, is that I can get the updates installed, but when it reboots the final updates cause some sort of crash as it resets back to the bios screen and goes into an infinite loop. (This is coming from a fresh install with nothing else installed)
My question to you guys, is have you ever had an issue like this before with vista? Im already charging him $100 to do the following: Re-install Vista, Remove Viruses, Transfer files, Re-install previous apps, and install legit Office Pro 2007.
Thanks again,
p.s. sorry for the article read
Answer #1
i smell hardware issues. Check if the RAM and the HDD are working at 100%
Answer #2
Ye check hardware first, do a clean up inside remove all the dust and crap. Then BEFORE updating Vista Install the Service Packs. Maybe BIOS update, CMOS Battery…
Answer #3
This doesn’t sound like a HW issue to me
because as mentioned it only occures after updating
the OS , This could be due to a bad activation crack
or lack of service pack
Did you use an original vista copy or one
that’s pre-activated like those BIE releases?
Did it had any service packs integrated? Latest for vista is SP2
Set this issue aside,I think windows 7 would be the better choice,But all in all
it depends,If the person is a gamer then XP would be better as vista/7
uses approx 600mb ram after a fresh install , But then again i don’t see
how he would be a gamer since he only have 1gig of ram
Answer #4
thanks for the replies, let me clear up a few issues
1) legit Vista SP2 Home Premium 32bit via technet
2) legit product key used from the COA on the side of the case
3) Haven’t checked the BIOS versions, but will do that after it installs vista (again, lol)
4) Plan on doing a hiren’s boot cd for the memory, just took out a stick and trying a vista install (yes i know 512mb ram on vista, but this should eliminate it being the memory correct?)
5) What would be the best way to check the hdd ? Hiren’s ? Again, thanks for all the input. I have also thought about the install of windows 7, but again, i dont want to charge this guy anymore for stuff when I’m not even sure what the real issue is yet.
cheers,
bb