im fixing a friend's computer and whenever windows boots up it restarts suddenly right before windows loads. after it restarts it goes to the screen where there are options for booting windows in safe mode, normally, etc (windows xp). safe mode gives the same result, windows doesnt boot and restarts comp. ive tried reformatting the HD but it says it cant reformat. after seeing that the HD cant reformat, i bought a new HD and swapped HD cables so i know it is neither of those components. windows installed and loaded fine on the new HD but after using the computer for a day or so, the problem is back. the computer wont boot windows and keeps restarting when it tries to boot. any suggestions on what may be the problem?
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Problem With Computer, Help!!
- Thread starter zypher84
- Start date
MTB2Live Live4Comps
[H]ard|Gawd
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2002
- Messages
- 1,968
just guesses, but.....
is the processor correctly cooled?
how is the memory?
how is the power supply?
is the processor correctly cooled?
how is the memory?
how is the power supply?
I've seen that problem before, it was caused by the user shutting the computer off without shutting it down properly. (I've never had this problem personally). To fix it I did a re-install of Windows XP from the CD. I didn't format, just did it over the current installation. This has happened twice to the same person.
This is of course if you're sure the hard drive is fine.
If that doesn't work, I'd try running Memtest overnight to see if that comes up with anything.
This is of course if you're sure the hard drive is fine.
If that doesn't work, I'd try running Memtest overnight to see if that comes up with anything.
I installed XP, it made it halfway thru before a random restart. Then I reinstalled it, after a full format. The install went fine, but it restarts right after it shows the XP loading screen.
Specs:
Asus A7N8X-VM/400
Athlon XP 2400+
256MB Kingmax Pc3200
350wPSU
80gig WD
MSI DVD/CD-R combo.
Specs:
Asus A7N8X-VM/400
Athlon XP 2400+
256MB Kingmax Pc3200
350wPSU
80gig WD
MSI DVD/CD-R combo.
I would try running memtest overnight and see if that picks up any problems. If not, do you have another Hard Drive to test with?
Try checking BIOS and see what temp the CPU is running at, make sure that is okay also.
Only other way I know of is to swap everything until it works!
Try checking BIOS and see what temp the CPU is running at, make sure that is okay also.
Only other way I know of is to swap everything until it works!
CPU temp is @ 89 degrees, with a 75 degree case temp. Stock heat sink, lapped with artic silver. Hard drive is brand new. I really don't have another to test with. I have his Ram running in my system now. Power supply is brand new, and generic. I will watch the voltages when I stop by tommorow. Is this memtest bootable from a CD? He doesn't have a floppy, and I havn't for 3 years.
Yeah, Memtest is bootable from CD. You have to leave it going overnight usually to get an accurate test though.
http://memtest86.com/#download0 <-- Download
You could always pick up a Hard Drive from BestBuy or Wal-Mart to test it out, if it still doesn't work, just return it. If THAT doesn't work, the only thing I can think of is the motherboard... You could reset cmos for good measure too I guess.
Also unplug anything you don't need to start up the computer, extra drives, stuff like that.
Good Luck
http://memtest86.com/#download0 <-- Download
You could always pick up a Hard Drive from BestBuy or Wal-Mart to test it out, if it still doesn't work, just return it. If THAT doesn't work, the only thing I can think of is the motherboard... You could reset cmos for good measure too I guess.
Also unplug anything you don't need to start up the computer, extra drives, stuff like that.
Good Luck
Originally posted by jdhf99
Yeah, Memtest is bootable from CD. You have to leave it going overnight usually to get an accurate test though.
http://memtest86.com/#download0 <-- Download
You could always pick up a Hard Drive from BestBuy or Wal-Mart to test it out, if it still doesn't work, just return it. If THAT doesn't work, the only thing I can think of is the motherboard... You could reset cmos for good measure too I guess.
Also unplug anything you don't need to start up the computer, extra drives, stuff like that.
Good Luck
Thats the thing. I did all of that. My 30gig wd is dieing, and I don't want to chance losing 60gigs of data on my 80gig.
Thanks for the linkage.
yea everything else is working fine. i swapped a new HD and everything installed fine, etc. its just that when shut down the computer and start it up again it restarts randomly. my mobo is the asus p4p800 dlx with 2.4c chip, slk-800 heatsink with 92mm fan, got a good brand 400w psu (antec i think). i tried booting windows in safe mode again and i found out it shuts down randomly exactly when my geforce 4 440 mx drivers load up (this is in safe mode boot so i cant even go and delete the driver) could it be that the geforce is incompatible or maybe the detonator drivers?