PC does not recognize devices

[jharris1]

OK, let me start off by saying that this is my first post, so hello to all.

My problem is this: A client that I work with (in a group home), well, he's kind of retarded/crazy (literally). He just got a new Dell PC about three months ago. Now, I dont know the reputation of Dell PCs, or if he just f*cked his PC up, but his computer will not recognize any devices. He had been complaining for a couple of weeks that his sound did not work and that he could not play CDs, and I tried to stick my SanDisk pocketdrive in his USB and... nothing. I went into his Device Manager and it shows nothing. And he has no connection to the internet to download anything offline. Can anyone help me troubleshoot this issue?

[Whyzman]

Hmmm...is there any data that needs to be saved?

[jharris1]

Hmmm...is there any data that needs to be saved?

Nope, none at all.

[Whyzman]

Your description of your client invites me to consider the possibility that there could be critical files messed with...

Since there's no data necessary to be saved, I would suggest using Dell's recovery disk that should have come with the computer...

[mjc]

I also assume that this is a an XP HOME machine?

If it was Pro, you could set up a single, limited user account. But on home, the permissions are set so that it doesn't really matter what kind of account the user has.

And then after you restore it, grab something to make a disk image of the drive and then image it. It will make resetting the machine much easier in the future.

On a side note...what exactly does he use the machine for?

[jharris1]

This guy uses this machine for, well, nothing. But my supervisor/the CEO is required to spend the clients money (for the clients of course)... State agencies monitor these sorts of things. So my supervisor basically had to make a couple of large purchases for the client by a certain deadline, and the client just so happened to want a computer.

The thing is, if the CD drive will not recognize CDs, then.... the recovery disk will not run. I tried system recovery but for some reason not even system recovery would work. I just clicked on "set" dates to no avail. I am stuck.

[jharris1]

Your description of your client invites me to consider the possibility that there could be critical files messed with...

Since there's no data necessary to be saved, I would suggest using Dell's recovery disk that should have come with the computer...

Well, I found this crap out when this guy could not play his games (Pinball, Solitare, etc.).... The tab in the start menu for "games" was empty. His "games" folder that contains all of the shortcuts were empty as well. So I thought I'd just transfer the shortcuts from my laptop to his computer via the pocketdrive. Well, it didnt recognize the pocketdrive, so thats when I went to Device Manager and saw that there were NO devices.

It was kind of amusing watching my guy kirk out a little bit, because he cant control his anger and does not realize whats really going on. But seriously, I'd just like to be able to troubleshoot the problem for my own satisfaction.

[Whyzman]

As mjc points out, if he can access system files and make changes the problem is bound to reoccur. Is he using XP Home vs. XP Pro?

Troubleshooting might be difficult since you may be dealing with deleted files. Your best bet would be to be able to set him up with a user account using XP Pro which would effectively lock him out from being able to mess with system changes...

[jharris1]

Well he uses Windows XP home. Another thing that I noticed is that everything on his screen appears to be big, though the text setting is normal. The graphics, (resolution, whatever it is) look awful also, almost like his computer is in safe mode.

If I could hook him up with XP Pro, I would, if his computer could read media. But nothing works, no USB, no CD..... nothing. Is he just SOL????

[mjc]

Hmmm....if that is all he is doing then grabbing a Knoppix CD and setting the machine to boot from the CD drive may be an idea...