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Real cute problem...

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by a former member

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I have a machine that when I attempt to reinstall XP on, when it reaches the point where XP would check the hard disks, the machine powers off.

Even though XP powers the machine off, I have installed Knoppix and Ubuntu without and problem as a test. They both work flawlessly and detect no hardware issues.

Even after the Linux install and test, XP will power off at the point given above. The machine will be installed only with XP when the issue is figured out.

Does anyone have any idea as to what the problem may be or where I can look? Voltages look fine on a DVM and on an oscilloscope.

19 replies

by Former member

Clarifications

by cgore82

I'm guessing you've already checked this, but is your BIOS set up correctly, as far as the SATA or IDE settings are concerned?

by Former member

:)

by rob miners

as Kenone has mentioned it is possibly Momory.

Check the memory.
Sometimes random lockups can be attributed to the computer memory starting to fail. You can test the memory by running Windows Memory Diagnostic that can be downloaded from http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp. If memory problems are found, try re-seating the RAM. If it doesn't work, replace the defective RAM.

by rob miners

A common reason for shutting down and locking up or freezing is the CPU overheating.

Faulty Fans, Dust and Grime build up on the Heatsink restricting air flow. I would give the inside of the case a blowout with compressed air. When blowing air through the fans make sure that you physically stop them from spinning, as they may generate power and blow something up. Then remove the Heatsink, giving it a thorough clean and reseat the CPU applying new CPU grease. If the Fans spin freely when you give them a spin they are probably OK. If there is resistance replace them.

Clean the golden edge of each memory stick with a soft rubber, remembering not to touch the golden edge of the memory stick. Check with one stick at a time, remembering to disconnect the power from the PC, of the original RAM

Also check Capacitors around the CPU for swelling or bulging.

by Former member

If not then i would think that it would be a graphic card issue since XP looks for drivers when installing and loads up default vga graphics. Could be a overheating issue but then Linux would give out as well. I would go for a fault on your graphics card.

Please post back if you have any more problems or questions.

by Former member

Complete instantaneous shut off of the power supply with no shut down protocol. Like flipping the circuit breaker.

I had thought graphics card, but if that were the issue, the computer would have shutdown when Knoppix probed the hardware.

Never-the-less, I stressed the GPU most of the day and there was no shutdown.

by Former member

The problem is not yet resolved. Thinking GPU fault, I ran a GPU stress test most of the day without creating the shutdown (complete instantaneous power off).

In the morning, I will run memtest86.

I will also report back either way.

by oh smeg

Every case where Windows fails to install has been a RAM problem that I've ever run into.

Could be just 1 bad stick or if there are more than 1 stick fitted a Timing issue with the RAM. I've seen cases where the RAM all works perfectly by itself but the moment that they are mixed Windows spits the dummy and falls over.

Best of luck. I've even seen RAM pass the Mem Test and several others and still not allow Windows to be installed. So if it passes reduce to 1 stick or use a Known Good Stick or RAM in this to load.

Col

by Former member

for eight hours without any errors at all. On the off chance, I replace the ram with known good ram. The same problem occurred at the point where you would partition the HD. Instead of instantaneous shutdown, it took 10 seconds to reach the point that the machine powered off. Leaving the ram in, I replaced the video board with an ATI Sapphire, the computer would not post. The power cooling fan and the GPU cooling fan would not shut off unless the power was removed. When reconnected, the fans would remain off unless you powered on the machine, but would fail to power down when you turned off the machine.

by oh smeg

When this occurs the Video Card is incompatible with the M'Board a different Video Card with a different Chip Set should cure this problem.

As the RAM didn't cure the problem have you reset the BIOS to Defaults? Or Replaced the CMOS Battery?

I've seen some really funny problems caused by a flat CMOS Battery over the years and they defy reason so I just replace them now as a first option before proceeding any further. You could also try reducing the system to the Bare Minimum and try to load Windows then, it could be that a piece of Hardware isn't compatible with the version of Windows you are attempting to install and this is causing the problem.

Lets know how you get on Norm.

Col

by Former member

This can cause a complete shutdown with a windows operating system. A Windows operating system will want more memory resources than a Linux system. Try out another Power supply Unit of around 760 to 780 watts. This should/will run your system with no problem.

Please post back if you have any more problems or questions.

by rob miners

that you could check. Go into the Bios and check the Temperatures, let it run for awhile and check them again.

by Former member

The problem has not been solved; it was decided that the cost of repair would exceed the cost of replacement of a new server which we have been building for a while and only need hard drives for.

The replacement has two four core AMD Phenom's and will have four TB of HD. I am not sure as to how long the power supply will last though.

Again, thank you.

by oh smeg

You'll not find any problems with it unless there is something really nasty going on at the site where this will be located.

Col

by zlitocook

The replys but did not see this, if you have a floppy drive on this computer use a third party tool like Delpart or a live CD to compleatly format and partition the drive.
Too many drives have hidden or stuff left over after a reinstall and this will hose any attempt to get the new O/S up and running.
Have you tried a new drive on this computer?

by Former member

I will answer your suggestions.

The computer in question was part of the root file serving system and was hot swappable in components such as hard disks as well as in the total computer.

When I mentioned checking voltages with an oscilloscope, it was a key that I had already been in the system rather deeply. When I mentioned that not only could I boot two different versions of Linux live CD's and mentioned that I installed both it should have told you that I formatted the drive. When I format a drive that is suspect, I first departition it. That was the first step, when this failed to allow me to install XP, the drives were replaced with backup units.

I did learn something from this endeavor about cmos batteries as I just let them fail before replacement.

The unit that will be its replacement has actually been planned for five months and will be put into service six months earlier than planned. This means that there will be a few headaches that weren't foreseen or tested, especially as the unit will virtualized.

I do thank you for your response.

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