XP won't start

XP won't start

by SgtRon | February 18, 2005 12:48 AM PST

Been running my newly-built machine for a couple weeks now, with no problems. Here are the stats: Asus K8V w/Athlon 64, Seagate 120 HDD, 1.5GB RAM, WinXP w/SP2, AVAST Anti-Virus, Norton Utilities 2002 Pro (Norton AV disabled. Been busily loading all my software and updating same. Today I started Norton Speed Disk. It had no sooner started than I got a blue screen error message. Only had time to read a couple lines ("Windows has detected a problem and is shutting down --") before it shut down the computer. Completely powered down! Wish I could've read the rest of the screen. Now it won't go beyond the BIOS checks at startup. Nothing but black screen after the BIOS checks. Can't get into Safe Mode, either -- in fact, it's not listed in the options when pressing F8. I'm hoping someone can give me some ideas. I'm lost! Thanks for your help.

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Not uncommon with heat or overtaxed power supply issues.

by R. Proffitt Forum moderator | February 18, 2005 12:58 AM PST

Or a stick of ram that system has decided to now work with.

Downsize the machine, upsize the power supply and keep it cool.

Bob

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re: Not uncommon ---

by SgtRon | February 18, 2005 3:07 AM PST

Thanks, Bob. I should've mentioned that the PS is 450W. More than enough. CPU temp has been running 49

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You may be missing what's hot.

by R. Proffitt Forum moderator | February 18, 2005 3:22 AM PST

While many fixate on the CPU temperature, there are other parts in the machine that could be too warm or have become temperature sensitive. It's why the case cover comes off for the test.

Bob

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re: You may be missing ------

by SgtRon | February 18, 2005 10:56 PM PST

I've been running with the case top and side off since I built it. Mobo has been maintaining 30

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The two directions..

by R. Proffitt Forum moderator | February 18, 2005 11:16 PM PST

1. Look to the OS for clues. For example, XP has the EVENT VIEWER.

2. The hardware angle. Remove what you can. Any printer, usb or other device that can be unplugged.

Also, if this is some Athlon 64 with an ATI card, pester the supplier if they know if the two are trouble free.

Bob

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Ooops. Missed that.

by R. Proffitt Forum moderator | February 18, 2005 11:17 PM PST

Since it doesn't boot off the hard disk, boot the XP CD and perform the parallel install noted at http://www.jsiinc.com/SUBM/tip6300/rh6326.htm This way you can see if the base OS runs.

Bob

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followup

by SgtRon | February 19, 2005 2:07 AM PST

Took your suggestion and removed all peripheral hardware. Only thing in the PCI slots is the video card. No USB devices. Tried booting from CD but it got only as far as asking me to "press any key to boot from CD". After that, nada - zilch. Only black screen. I did notice the CPU fan speed getting down into the red area, so I disabled the speed control built into the mobo. Speed has been sitting around 2240 RPM since then. Mobo temp holds at 30

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What next?

by R. Proffitt Forum moderator | February 19, 2005 3:20 AM PST

What can be swapped out?

If nothing, call the supplier and see what parts they want to exchange. XP will boot and glide onto good hardware. You have a bad part or horribly misconfigured (overclocking people ?)

Bob

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