AboutTroy M. MCSE, CNA, MCP, CST, IC3, Aplus Expertise Hi there! Even though I am new around here, I have been having great fun with PCs for over two decades now, becoming familiar with Windows through versions 3.x/9x/Me/2000/XP/2003. I enjoy helping others with what I feel is an exciting industry - computers are always changing, improving and offering new opportunities for learning.
I look forward to assisting you with questions concerning Windows, how it interacts with your PC Hardware, configuration/settings or just general tips and ideas.
Besides troubleshooting questions, feel free to ask the basics, as well. I will always start there, and I firmly believe that there is no such thing as a dumb question - we are all ‘Beginners’ at one time or another!
Experience I am an Aplus Certified [the 'plus sign' is unviewable here currently], Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer with Computer Service Technician and LAN Administration diplomas and 10 years direct experience with PCs including assembly, troubleshooting/support and upgrading.
I have worked for retail outlets, schools and businesses, and have been an Instructor in the past as well – helping others, just like you, understand and enjoy computers!
Education/Credentials MCSE
(Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer), CNA
(Certified Novell Administrator), MCP
(Microsoft Certified Professional), CST (Computer Service Technician (Formerly Computer Engineering Technician)(Hardware/OS servicing Diploma), IC3 (Internet and Core Computing Certification)(Hardware/OperatingSystem/Internet Fundamentals Certification), Aplus [the 'plus sign' is unviewable here currently](Computing Technology Industry Association Hardware/Operating System Certification)
Question Hello,
I purchased a used HP nc6000 laptop without an operating system. I tried installing Winxp and the first time it took all night to format the hard drive and hours to install WinXP and it came up with about 5 windows programs it said it couldn't install. But then the sound didn't work, the USB and the Ethernet didn't work and when I told it to shut down it frooze on the screen saying "Windows is shutting down". I tried reinstalling windows and this time it went through without saying things couldn't be installed. But the sound, ethernet, usb and shut down screen are still wrong.
What do you think is wrong and how can I fix it?
Answer Hi Dan,
This is actually quite normal for laptops/notebooks. The hardware inside laptops are somewhat different then a desktop “tower” PC and many of the components are often proprietary or at least not known on most operating systems people would try to install (Linux, etc).
For an operating system to work, it needs drivers, which are system files that the Operating Systems (OS) uses to “talk” to the hardware. Laptops (and really any hardware that is newer then when the OS was “created”) are not often recognized by the default installation of most OS systems. What has probably happened here is that XP could not recognize the hardware/components inside your notebook PC.
Don’t be discouraged yet! You may still be able to get your laptop up and running by merely finding the drivers (system files) that windows needs for your hardware.
Here is the link to the HP support page for your system. You should be able to download and save the drivers for most of your hardware. (Save the drivers that you download to a disk or a USB device so that you can access them on your laptop.) Although, you may not qualify for “under warranty” support, you may still be able to call HP via their 1-800-number to get some additional help as well.
Hopefully, that will get you and running, or at least started, Dan. Good Luck!
