Fixing the Childrens computer

This computer suffered from two defects. One of the users had randomly deleted a number of system files on this computer, shortly afterwards the computer was turned off at the wall while in use resulting in a blue screen on start up.

I tried all of the obvious ways to start up;

· Last know good configuration

· Safe mode/with or without network

· Safe mode with command prompt

· Enable boot logging

· Enable VGA mode

· Directory Services Restore Mode

· Boot normally

None of these would boot past the blue screen.

I found that if I pressed F2 something might happen so I tried it.

And manged to enter the BIOS setup utility so that I could change the boot priority and enable booting from disk.

I then selected Boot

I found that the 1^st boot device had been set to the USB drive. Therefore, I changed the 1^st boot drive to CD Rom. I saved these settings

I then attempted to run the boot disk for the computer. This would now run and I attempted to repair windows.

I decided to attempt to repair windows and so chose R

After several attempts it was obvious that a repair would not work because the option screen kept returning and the computer not booting.

As it was necessary to install a new version of windows I decided to install windows XP rather than the older NT version.

I was given the option to partition the hard drive, and I was asked which system I should use, NTFS or FAT. I decided to change to NTFS; I was warned that if I changed to NTFS I would not be able to change back. I decided to change to NTFS.

I installed XP on the computer, I had decided to use a partition on which to install windows, however this was a mistake as I had not allowed sufficient memory to install and run other software. So I reinstalled the software again, this time the drive was set to one large partition.

After installation the computer functioned, however, there was no sound. I found that there was no multimedia audio controller. I found a spec for the computer on line and discovered that it should have a drive called RealTek AC90. I tried downloading this driver from the Real Tek website, during the download I was informed that the driver had not been tested for windows and was advised not to continue. I continued anyway. The computer crashed. On restart I attempted the download again and had the same result.

The computer is working in all other respects but there is no sound.