Marcus
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| posted on 1/5/07 at 11:51 AM |
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Dead PC
Well not exactly.....
If cold, it will boot up into safe mode.
If you try to boot normally, you get the Windows XP logo, which goes off at about the right time, then the HDD just stops, the screen goes blank and
the PC dies.
It will work ok for hours in safe mode - even with network support, but try to boot normally and nothing.
Does it sound like a PSU problem?
If not, any other suggestions?
Marcus
Because kits are for girls!!
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RazMan
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| posted on 1/5/07 at 12:08 PM |
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It can't really be aPSU problem if everything is fine in safe mode.
Sounds like Windoze has had a fit of some kind and needs to be reinstalled or repaired.
I usually find that a fresh install every year or so makes everything fine and dandy, clearing out all the rubbish that accumulates.
Cheers,
Raz
When thinking outside the box doesn't work any more, it's time to build a new box
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vinny1275
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| posted on 1/5/07 at 12:09 PM |
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Sounds like a software problem if it boots OK in safe mode.
Have you installed any new software or drivers or allowed Windows update to install stuff recently? It could be that one of those things has
broken.
You could also try the following to narrow down the problem:
Boot it normally, let it freeze, reboot it into safe mode, then look in the Event Viewer (control panel, advanced tools, event viewer) - look in the
System list for anything with an error or warning mark. That should give us somewhere to start looking...
HTH
vince
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Hellfire
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| posted on 1/5/07 at 12:33 PM |
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Sounds Anti-virus/Virus related...
STeve
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Marcus
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| posted on 1/5/07 at 01:43 PM |
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Hmm, originally, I thought software, BUT When the PSU is warm, it won't even get to POST. The processor fan kicks briefly and that's
it!
Please keep the ideas coming.
Cheers
Marcus
Because kits are for girls!!
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iank
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| posted on 1/5/07 at 02:13 PM |
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If it won't get to post when warm it's a hardware problem for sure (I think - virus corruption to the BIOS flash is possible, but
shouldn't be heat related).
Check the CPU heatsink is firmly attached as a first step and ram plugged securely in as a second, followed by video card etc.
After that PSU sounds like the most likely, if you have a spare it's an easy test to do.
--
Never argue with an idiot. They drag you down to their level, then beat you with experience.
Anonymous
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Ivan
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| posted on 1/5/07 at 02:17 PM |
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I had similar problems with a brand new system recently - turned out to be a faulty brand new power supply unit.
Replaced that and problem solved.
ps- in my opinion always choose the most powerful psu you can afford as low voltage supply is seriously bad news for system stability and hardware
longevity.
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ecosse
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| posted on 1/5/07 at 04:28 PM |
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It sounds awful like the cpu is overheating, is it an intel or AMD chip?
Does the cpu fan spin up properly in normal mode?
Do you have any mobo monitoring software running that you can check the temps and fan speeds with?
Cheers
Alex
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flak monkey
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| posted on 1/5/07 at 07:33 PM |
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Sounds like a typical result of a bad windows patch or driver to me.
Boot in safemode and do a system restore, back a couple of months. You will lose any programs you have installed since then, but none of your personal
docs.
I would go into how to run a repair on WinXP but its a pain.
David
Sera
http://www.motosera.com
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britishtrident
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| posted on 1/5/07 at 07:54 PM |
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Virus or other software starting up and causing a shutdown, might just also be a bad chunk of memory.
If you have hijackthis installed, run it from safe mode and examine the output.
[I] “ What use our work, Bennet, if we cannot care for those we love? .”
― From BBC TV/Amazon's Ripper Street.
[/I]
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Marcus
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| posted on 2/5/07 at 12:01 PM |
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Quick update,
Replaced PSU - still exactly the same!
Bios kept reporting that case had been opened - there isn't a switch fitted and the function is disabled.
Bios told me there was no keyboard attached - it's a cordless USB jobbie.
THEN noticed the option to boot from last known good configuration, so I did.
Bugger me, it started up normally but with SYS.ini and WIN.ini (I think) not loaded.
I checked the relevant boxes and hey presto a working PC. The only problem is, I can't reinstall AVG for some reason, so there's possibly
a virus issue somewhere. Wierd that it affected the BIOS - would it be worth re flashing?
Thanks for your help!
Marcus
Because kits are for girls!!
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britishtrident
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| posted on 2/5/07 at 08:15 PM |
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No --- The bios can't be affected but the BIOS options are stored in battery backed CMOS memory so it must have been a CMOS memory battery
issue put a new coin cell battery and then reset all the bios settings and save them to cmos.
Might be a good idea to keep a conventional (ie non USB) keyboard to hand ----- in case the USB keyboard isn't recognised after changing the
battery.
[Edited on 2/5/07 by britishtrident]
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Marcus
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| posted on 3/5/07 at 11:32 AM |
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Good point re battery, will change.
Bit strange as mobo only 6 months old though.
Marcus
Because kits are for girls!!
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britishtrident
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| posted on 3/5/07 at 05:44 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by Marcus
Good point re battery, will change.
Bit strange as mobo only 6 months old though.
I knew it was a recent computer so didn't sugest it earlier -- might be the battery isn't seating properly.
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