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An obscure problem

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by gbrownlee 1 view

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It started out with the pc rebooting at random. I replaced the power supply and that solved that. But now, it sometimes boots up normally, sometimes when it starts up you get an error stating windows cannot load and pick reboot method..safe mode etc. Tried rebooting in safe mode, it won't.

Sometimes when booting up a window opens saying a registry file had to be replaced from a copy and computer finishes booting up and runs normally.

Other error messages appear at random, eg: Windows file protection opens and says " some system files need to be replaced..insert xp sp2 disk. I inserted the disk, error message now says wrong disk inserted.

Another time when booting, it stopped and said windows could not load because it couldn't find the license key.

Sometimes when it boots up I get a blue screen with a stop message which implys L2 or ram problems.

I have ran memtest86, six passes at standard setting and 1 pass using complete setting, passed. I ran HDD manufacturers HDD diagnostics, passed. I checked the mobo for any sign of bulging capasitators etc, it looks ok.

I also reformatted HDD and reinstalled XP home. Same problems.

I am out of ideas except to start throwing parts at it, but cannot afford a wholesale change.

Your thoughts on this matter would be greatly appreciated!

Greg

9 replies

by gbrownlee

I forgot to mention that I have checked all connections and have tried booting with only ram hdd and graphics pci card installed.

by willcomp

Welllll, got a good one. My first inclination is a flaky hard disk. Second is random memory errors.

Realize that you tested both HDD and RAM. May be worth a few bucks to purchase and run Burn In Test or similar thorough testing program. I believe you are searching for some type of random failure that may not appear in routine diagnostics.

Burn In Test is available for $22.00 at:

http://www.passmark.com/products/bit.htm

The trial version may not allow enough repetitions for your purposes.

I'm sure others will have additional suggestions. Maybe one of us will get it right.

Good luck.

Dalton

by gbrownlee

Poster rated this answer.
Hi Dalton,
You were right about the shareware version being limited. You don't even get 1 full run of the HDD test. Because of some symptoms that have now cropped up, I am going to replace the mobo and see if that solves the problem. Thanks for the ideas though!

Regards
Greg

by thechas

Have you checked for a BIOS or boot sector virus?

Aside from a virus, I vote for a bad hard drive.

I just recently had to replace my boot drive as the system partition started having a number of random errors.

Chas

by csmith

Changing the BIOS setting to AGP solved the hardware setting problem.
Now to the software problem.
WinXP is still using the old video driver.
I assume this is in spite of your removing it.

Solution: (Quickest) Boot into "Safe Mode" and load new videocard driver.

If no can do, (Slower) go back to onboard video, load new video driver, shut down, reinstall new video card and boot.

Regards, Chris

by csmith

Sorry, you got the answer to the previous question in this forum, now to your question.
This problem is not the RAM, Hard Drive or CPU Fan.
(Problem occurs on cold boot, with CPU cold)
When there was a power supply failure, there may be some other damage, depending on the cause of the power supply damage.
The weirdest one I ever encountered was when a PC took a lightning strike induced surge.
The power supply blew, but the MODEM and the sound card also shorted, and the PC would not function until both were replaced.
Fortunately you have eliminated this possibility by booting with only the Graphics card and HD installed.

Do you have a voltmeter, or can you check the the system voltages using the BIOS?
This question is obviously directed at troubleshooting the CPU voltage regulator, and the power supply.
(In my past, I have replaced an old flakey power supply, with a brand new in the box, flakey power supply.)
I assume you have an incandescent (not fluorescent) desk lamp plugged into the same wall outlet, to show any line problems. (Incandescents "change color" as the voltage drops, plus there is no "electical noise" generated, because there is no ballast.)
Also, check the wall outlet ground.
Regards, Chris

by gbrownlee

Poster rated this answer.
Hi Chris, The problem just doen't occur after cold boot. The new power supply tests out ok. I live in the country and could write a book about all the weird errors a computer can develope if its dialup modem gets toasted. The AC power in my shop is steady too. Thanks for the ideas though!

Regards
Greg

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