won't boot

[theexenocide]

I was told by a friend to use memtest to check my memory i did i made the boot disk and it worked then i restarted my computer and it said "You hardware has been changed...i can't remember all of the eroor message but it gave me some options..."Safe mode, Sm with networking..., another safe mode, last know good config, and then start windows normally." when i press any of those it shows a lined bar (a progress bar) then it gets to 100% and then my comp. reboots and then starts then same problem. I have no idea what is wrong. I use XP Home SP2 run an Emachines (which i hate). If you need any further info to help me i would be glad to give.

[Black Hawk]

What problems did you originally have that made you run memtest?

[theexenocide]

comp restarting...a lot, freezing, and the occasional won't boot 4 a day. (the next day when i wake up it boots fine...)

[Black Hawk]

Did memtest give you any errors? Use the restore disc and see if you have any more problems.

[theexenocide]

aye it did...48 errors on test 5...i'll try to restore disk

[theexenocide]

when i try to recover it says that the End User Liscense Agreement cannot be found (EULA) so i'm screwed

[theexenocide]

if i restore my comp will i loose all of my data? or will just to windows dir. be restored

[primesuspect]

Dude, if you're memory said 48 errors, then that's your problem. Don't bother diagnosing anything else yet - your memory needs to be replaced. I'd bet that if you get good memory in there, things will just start working again.

Also, if you run the emachines restore disk, chances are you WILL lose all of your data.

[theexenocide]

this problem has never occured b4...i mean would my memory just die on me? kinda sux like no other...if i took the memory out wouldn't it be able to work? i need a few files off the comp

[Thrax]

Yes, memory just dies. It's a complex electronic component, made from microscopic components and subjected to steady electric currents. Heh.. Just like anything else electronic, they all have a failure rate.

Replacing the memory doesn't, <i>at all</i> affect your files, as those are on your hard drive. But the point is, you do need new memory, or it will never work right.

[theexenocide]

ok well i will buy memory...any suggestions cause if that doesn;t work i am gonna buy a new comp hands down

oh and also ...would the memory be more likly to fail during a test? or on a regular computer instance?

[primesuspect]

memory either works or doesn't. You have bad memory, thus you have weird computer problems AND it failed a test. A memory test is no more "hard" on the memory than normal use...

[GrayFox]

ok well i will buy memory...any suggestions cause if that doesn;t work i am gonna buy a new comp hands down

oh and also ...would the memory be more likly to fail during a test? or on a regular computer instance?
i recomend corsair ram or kingston if u get kingston make sure to ask the sales man if its got samsung or windbond chips
if he says infinion tell him you want a diffrent stick unless its corsair its always good they use windbond and erase the name off there chips

[Black Hawk]

I recommend calling eMachines if the PC is still under warranty. No point buying ram if it can be replaced for free.