BleepingComputer.com: Reboot after Bios, before windows

Hello everyone here at bleeping computer!

Here is my problem,
For a few days now I've been toying with my old computer trying to get it set up. I get it up and running, play games on it just fine for a few hours. Turn the computer off and come back the next day and the computer can't get past the, "Windows has recovered from an error: would you like to start in safe mode, safe mode network,.." etc. So I open it up, check some cables look around the bios change a few things and it boots back up. Play on it for a bit and then shut it off. Next morning, same problem.

I've tried replacing the hard drive. Re-seating the RAM. Bare minimum set up. Formatting. Clearing CMOS. Using MoBo GPU. MEMTEST.

I thought it was over heating so I ran some temperature apps and it ran at a cool 34c idle and 41-ish playing games.

When I get home tonight I'm going to go ahead and try using a new PSU. Meanwhile, if anyone notices that this problem is solved by doing so an so I would be grateful to hear it and give it a shot.

Set-up:
Windows XP
1gig RAM
7600 GeForce
2 HDDs
(Don't know psu / place holder for it till I get home)



Thanks in advance to any replies.

This post has been edited by AionTelos: 01 November 2011 - 01:28 PM

Hi,

When you got the "Windows has Recovered from ....." error - did you try "Last Known Good Configuration" from the Advanced Options ?

Quote

I assume by this you mean that you have re-seated the cables?

If you have a different hard drive installed with an Operating System that was installed in a different system it will not boot.
Windows is "clever" enough to recognise it is in a different environment. ( Different Motherboard and related hardware )

None of the options work, all give me instant reboots.
By "Replacing the hard drive" I mean I took out one hard drive, put in a new hard drive. Installed a new OS (Ubuntu and Windows) with all failing.

This post has been edited by hamluis: 04 November 2011 - 09:06 AM
Reason for edit: Removed unnecessary quote, please use Add Reply button.

From what you say - this sounds like PSU or M/Board problem.

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Not sure what you did here but try the following ( if you haven't already )

Switch off at the wall but leave the plug in to maintain the earth ( ground ) connection.
Disconnect external hardware ( Monitor / Printer etc )
Take all cards (RAM / Sound / NIC etc ) off the m/board.
Disconnect the power and data cables to the Hard Drive and DVD Drive.

Leave only the 20(4) way connection from the PSU.

Switch on.
If you have an internal speaker connected you should get POST Beeps - do you ?

If not there is a problem with the PSU or M/Board.

==============
If you do get POST Beeps and the system is stable ...switch off ....try adding the Video Card.
Try again.

Then add the monitor.

Add the RAM one module at a time.

Basically you are adding one card / connection at a time until the problem is replicated.

Alright, I'll give it a shot later today. Going to try swapping out my psu first.

Also, by bare minimum I meant, Ram, HDD, keyboard, mouse.


Edit: I don't think I have an internal speaker...

This post has been edited by AionTelos: 02 November 2011 - 02:14 PM

Let us know how you get on.

This post has been edited by hamluis: 04 November 2011 - 09:06 AM

Alright! So, no internal speaker so the "plug and beep see" was a no go. The new psu didn't help it much either. I'm pretty much down to it being the MoBo.

Suggest you try my suggestion from #4
Even if you don't have an internal speaker connected the fans will give you an indication if it has restarted.
Plug a keyboard in and watch the LEDs.

If it is stable with this arrangement add the Video Card - then add the monitor.