I've run out of ideas on this one. My sister has an IBM NetVista --
model 2251-TEU; Pentium III processor; 30Gig HD; 256MB RAM; Windows Me.
Of course her problems began almost immediately after the warranty
expired. She described her problems this way:

". . .it started with the computer not shutting down completely. .
.just the wallpaper on the screen and I'd have to turn it off manually.
. .later I'd get the "improper shutdown detected" screen. I don't
remember if this started before or after I downloaded the Windows
update. I did the Windows update because I wanted to listen to the AOL
Radio while on-line and I couldn't do so until I got the Windows
(Media) update.

Then sometimes I would get error messages like "the system is
dangerously low in resources", and others. . .one of them being an
error detected in "kernel" with some numbers following it.

The real craziness started when I upgraded to the latest version of AOL
earlier this year--9.0 Security I think. . .after doing that, the
computer would freeze in the booting up phase. At first I thought it
had something to do with McAfee or something else that was installed
with the AOL upgrade, because prior to that, I could still use my
computer but it was just acting a little wacky with the error messages
and shuting down. After the AOL upgrade, I couldn't get past the boot
up to even use it.

I then tried reformatting ("f-ing the disk") and that didn't help. I
took it to Cotton and it got worse. That's where you came in."

I started looking at this computer in mid July, so this could be a
really LONG story. . .but I'll get to what I think are the key
observations.

1) The main "symptom": The computer "stalls" at the same point after
the POST. The desktop would appear, but then the screen would go black
and the computer could only be shut down by pulling the power cord.
2) Swapping out harddrives and RAM sticks proved that they are OK. I
was able to boot up one of my computers using her harddrive.
3) Using an older "spare HD with Win95, or installing 98 onto her HD
gave the same results as Me. I can only fully boot while in safe mode.
With XP installed it behaved worse: it would stall immediatly after the
POST without ever showing the desktop, and I can't even boot in safe
mode with XP.

The service technician (Cotton) told her that she had a problem with
her mobo. I was skeptical about that -- but I admit that I'm no expert.
He could be right, but I'm at a loss to understand how the mobo might
be affected by a Windows or AOL update. I was somewhat encouraged by
the fact that I was able to get "some" life from the thing while in
safe mode.
But I don't know where to go from here. Can't do much without all those
drivers activated.

Basically, I don't know if this is a hardware (mobo) or software
(missing/conflicting? driver) problem. Or a mix of both.
HELP US PLEASE!!!! My sister has already resolved to just buy a new
computer. I'm trying to save her some money if at all possible. And I'm
not doing such a good job right now ;-)

Thanks,
Asa Frye

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