I swapped monitors on an old XP machine here, and now it starts to a blank screen with only 'power saving mode' displayed. Swapping monitors back, still the same issue. I'd simply junk the thing, except there are a few photos on it I want (no back up drive on this machine). Any suggestions?
Try reseting the bios features to default.
Take the hard drive out put it in a new machine.
Quote: Nogget @ May 16 2012, 11:05 AM BSTI swapped monitors on an old XP machine here, and now it starts to a blank screen with only 'power saving mode' displayed. Swapping monitors back, still the same issue. I'd simply junk the thing, except there are a few photos on it I want (no back up drive on this machine). Any suggestions?
Is there any indication that the computer is booting at all, ie the Windows startup sound or anything?
Otherwise it might be the power supply (especially if it's old). I currently have the same issue, and my parent's PC had the same issue. You press the power button, the lights and fan start up but the screen(s) stays blank. Getting a new power supply fixed my parent's PC and I'm going to get a new one for this PC tomorrow.
Or if you don't care about the machine itself just take the HDD out like the previous poster said.
Quote: Gavin @ May 16 2012, 1:00 PM BSTTake the hard drive out put it in a new machine.
Or more simply put it into an external USB case.
You need to see whether it is a Parallel Interface (34 pin connector) caled IDE or PATA or a Serial ATA interface (approx 4 pins on the data connector) called SATA, to see which USB case to buy.
And of course they come in 2.5 inch size for laptop disks or 3.5 inch size for disks from desktop computers.
This one seems to be a handy tool to read almost any Disk Drive.
http://cpc.farnell.com/freecom/33708/hard-drive-dock-sata-ide/dp/CS20901
http://www.therestartpage.com/
The rebooting process for many vintage operating systems recreated in your web browser. Bill will probably get a kick out of it.
Thanks DaButtthat's kinda beautiful, reminds me of my ancient MacPlus
Thanks DaButtthat's kinda beautiful, reminds me of my ancient MacPlus
Quote: DaButt @ May 18 2012, 7:35 PM BSThttp://www.therestartpage.com/
The rebooting process for many vintage operating systems recreated in your web browser. Bill will probably get a kick out of it.
That's clever & who ever did it must have spent many hours researching it.
Blimey, billwill!
I advise you to check out http://tinyurl.com/ next time you have a 500+ character URL to post. Then my screen won't become 20 feet wide. 
Quote: zooo @ May 22 2012, 6:07 PM BSTBlimey, billwill!
I advise you to check out http://tinyurl.com/ next time you have a 500+ character URL to post. Then my screen won't become 20 feet wide.
Oh.sorry... It wraps around on my Firefox screen & didn't realise it causes a problem.
I'll use (link) next time.
Ha, thanks!
All these non-techies helping out the techies with their techie issues...
Dan
I'm going to have to get a smartphone. My lovely, loyal, only slightly decapitated mobile is on it's last legs. I need to be able to use Word. Couldn't give a toss about brand, age, other capabilities. Cheap as poss and relatively idiot-proof recommendations please.
I have the worst taste in phone so I'm generally best ignored.
But I'd suggest...
1 get a contract. Shop around I find Virgin are unexiting, but inexpensive.
2 Make up your mind if you like keyboard or touchscreen.
3 HTC make a number of Android phones that are quite cheap and can do most things the same as an iphone
4 or older iphone 3s aren't much diferent to the 4s and are a fair bit cheaper.
5 blackberry is very dated. But they reliably get your emails and most of that other shit.
I got a good deal by going through Phones 4 U. £15.50 pm for a free Samsung Galaxy 2, 300 Minutes & 'Unlimited' Texts (actually 3000). Then put 500mb of data usage on, for an extra £5, via Vodafone themselves, with free Vodafone to Vodafone calls too! So £20.50pm for 24months.