Computer whizz needed.
Discussion
Have developed an annoying problem with the pc im currently on.
At first start up, everything appears to be going well, the boot up screen dosent appear, but it could be down to the monitor not warming up fast (from cold).
Anyway, after about 15 maybe 20 seconds it just switches itself off.
Pressing the startup button makes no difference and the power has to be disconnected for about 10 maybe 20 seconds, then it boots as normal.
A window appears saying that there was a problem and would i like to start in safe mode, start windows normally networking or something like that, and use last known good configuration.
I started it as normal, and as use last known good config but still this thing keeps doing it.
Did a virusscan(up to date ) nothing found.
Anyone have any ideas?
I was wondering if maybe the fans wernt cooling the processor properley and it was shutting down or something similar...
Oh ps, the o/s is xp professional.
At first start up, everything appears to be going well, the boot up screen dosent appear, but it could be down to the monitor not warming up fast (from cold).
Anyway, after about 15 maybe 20 seconds it just switches itself off.
Pressing the startup button makes no difference and the power has to be disconnected for about 10 maybe 20 seconds, then it boots as normal.
A window appears saying that there was a problem and would i like to start in safe mode, start windows normally networking or something like that, and use last known good configuration.
I started it as normal, and as use last known good config but still this thing keeps doing it.
Did a virusscan(up to date ) nothing found.
Anyone have any ideas?
I was wondering if maybe the fans wernt cooling the processor properley and it was shutting down or something similar...
Oh ps, the o/s is xp professional.
Do a full restart. Simple I know, but there is a "dirty flag" on the disk if it doesn't shut down properly. You need to go through one clean restart to lose the message. Try this first as it's a no brainer.
Have a trawl through the event logs. They may not mean much to you, but are a mine of information.
Try a look at http://support.microsoft.com and go to the knowledgebase. Select Windows XP and enter the error number. Resolution will probably be there.
Could be knackered hardware as previously mentioned of course!
Have a trawl through the event logs. They may not mean much to you, but are a mine of information.
Try a look at http://support.microsoft.com and go to the knowledgebase. Select Windows XP and enter the error number. Resolution will probably be there.
Could be knackered hardware as previously mentioned of course!
Are you getting any error beeps when it starts up? For instance a single beep followed by three beeps close together would be a graphics card not found error. With AGP slots this usually means that the card has lifted in the slot slightly, often happens if the PC has been moved at all.
Normally one that does what you describe would point to a MB or processor fault, but I've seen HDD and power supply faults cause it too. You've not been spiked by any thunderstorms recently have you?
Andy
Normally one that does what you describe would point to a MB or processor fault, but I've seen HDD and power supply faults cause it too. You've not been spiked by any thunderstorms recently have you?
Andy
This could be a number of reasons, most of which have been posted. My PC has restarted before and it's been due to a number of reasons. Look out for this:
-Memory leak - get a memory utility (can't remember name) to check if you have this. I had a memory leak and it made my PC reboot very frequently.
-RPC virus? There is a fix for this on the Microsoft website.
-Could very possibly be something cooling or power supply related.
Good luck
-Memory leak - get a memory utility (can't remember name) to check if you have this. I had a memory leak and it made my PC reboot very frequently.
-RPC virus? There is a fix for this on the Microsoft website.
-Could very possibly be something cooling or power supply related.
Good luck
To test if it is your PSU, you can do the following if you have multiple CD roms and hard disks:-
Power off the PC first:
If you have two hard-disks or two CD roms, disconnect all 'spare' devices that are not needed to boot the system, like floppy disks, CD Roms, USB devices, and try again. If the PC comes up, then you are right on the limit with your old PSU and you need more power. If it's less than a 350 watt, change it for a 350w, as these are now the entrance level.
Buy a good one and not a cheap one as if your PSU blows and it doesn't have the necessary protection it may also take out your motherboard, graphics card, CPU, and all your RAM; and occasionaly has been known to take out hard-disks and DVD burners
Power off the PC first:
If you have two hard-disks or two CD roms, disconnect all 'spare' devices that are not needed to boot the system, like floppy disks, CD Roms, USB devices, and try again. If the PC comes up, then you are right on the limit with your old PSU and you need more power. If it's less than a 350 watt, change it for a 350w, as these are now the entrance level.
Buy a good one and not a cheap one as if your PSU blows and it doesn't have the necessary protection it may also take out your motherboard, graphics card, CPU, and all your RAM; and occasionaly has been known to take out hard-disks and DVD burners
Have just read the symptoms and i have a few suggestion.
could it be booting with too high a resolution for the montior/ graphics card to boot with. thus starting with a blank screen.
it could be that the driver for the card has been lost or the monitor is faulty and will only operate in low res modes.
way to test monitor is to get a friends PC to boot up on it.
Then i would remove the graphics card and then try a different one.
the other thing to check is whether this PC has onboard graphics, or shared memory. as any changes to the bois could change this too
then again could be completely wrong, but it is worth checking
could it be booting with too high a resolution for the montior/ graphics card to boot with. thus starting with a blank screen.
it could be that the driver for the card has been lost or the monitor is faulty and will only operate in low res modes.
way to test monitor is to get a friends PC to boot up on it.
Then i would remove the graphics card and then try a different one.
the other thing to check is whether this PC has onboard graphics, or shared memory. as any changes to the bois could change this too
then again could be completely wrong, but it is worth checking
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