[strfleet]

Hi everyone, i have just a quick question. My second computer which the kids use has trouble starting up. When anyone turns it on it continually reboots and reboots and eventually does load up windows. The comp is about 5 to 6 years old, it was home built by a friend. I don't really know the specs. WinXP 1.3ghz, 512ram. Everything is up to date. I reinstalled the OS recently (with some effort) and that didn't help. Is it dying???Any ideas??Scott

[mphenterprises]

Hi strfleet. Thank you for giving some of the information we need. Let's see if we can't narrow the problem down for you:- Do you get any error messages? If so, what is the EXACT error message- Do you hear more than one beep during startup?- Does the computer restart at the same point each time?- How far into the boot up process does the computer get before it restarts?- What version of XP are you using?- What is the Power Supply rating? (You can find the PS rating on the inside of the computer on a sticker on the side of the Power Supply)The more information you provide, the better we all can assist you.

[strfleet]

No error message, didn't pay attention to the beeps, restarts at same point (sometimes it reaches last known good config/ start windows normally)clicking either doesn't matter, XPHome, I don't know power supply rating because I'm using said computer. It's working fine right now but is making a noise, sort of like a revving sound.Scott

[mphenterprises]

Okay, two things....- Can you determine from where the sound is originating? Does it sound like it is coming from the back of the computer or inside the computer?- If you do not have a see-through case, you can take the case cover off while the computer is on. All you are going to do is look at the Power Supply sticker and look for something that says, "Max Peak Power XXX Watts."So far, here is where the information you have provided is leading:- Faulty Operating System Installation- Hard Drive Failure- Power Supply FailureAlso, how much hard drive space do you have available? You can determine this by:- Right Click on "My Computer" and click "Open"- Right Click on your Hard Drive and click "Properties"Please tell me the USED space, FREE space, and CAPACITY

[strfleet]

Thanks for the quick responses..the sound is coming from inside the computer near the front. The tower is inside a compartment of the desk..i would need to shut it down and unplug it to get access. Used space is 5.47GB, free space is 31.7GB it should be a 40GB drive. One other thing..i had problems with it before so i reformatted and installed PCLinux007 which worked just fine but the kids complained because they couldn't load any games and had trouble downloading anything, so i reformatted again and put windows back on. The noise has stopped.

[mphenterprises]

My Pleasure :-) I am doing some things at my computer so it is my pleasure.Okay, if the sound is coming from inside the computer near the front, that more than likely is the hard drive. Was this the first time you heard the noise?I know you may not want to do this, but the information on the Power Supply is crucial. For the specifications you have given me so far, the wattage is not so much the problem as a failing Power Supply.Do you remember the exact steps you took to reinstall Windows?

[strfleet]

I need to go, the wife rented a movie. I'll be back on tomorrow nite, and I'll have that ps rating for you.Thanks,Scott:)

[RoryH]

Sounds like a floppy or CD/DVD drive going bad, especially with the reboots at start up...Do you know how to edit your boot sequence in the BIOS? If so I would change boot sequences just to at least eliminate that possibillity. Mphenterprises is probably right with suspecting the HDD however. But a floppy or CD/DVD drive are a bit cheaper to replace if it is either of those, AND you don't have to format and reinstall Windows with those! :D

[strfleet]

Hi guys I'm back. The computer makes the noise when i first turn it on, it goes away after awhile. I'm using it now and it sounds normal. It took me a few tries to finally get it to boot up Here is the ps rating you asked for i hope. Input -100-127B-7A 50/60hz 200-240v-4A 50/60hzOutput 5v20A max. 12v12A max. -12v.5A max. 3.3v14A max. -5v0.5A max. 5v sv1A max.I hope this is what you were looking for.Scott

[RoryH]

Hi Scott,You mentioned earlier this is a second computer. Would it be possible for you to try the hard drive from the other computer in this one to see if it boots normally? You wouldn't need to mount the drive, just make sure the power plug and IDE cable are connected; the point is just to check real quick if it boots fine with a different hard drive.With the side panel off can you pinpoint a little better where the sound is comming from: hard drive, maybe the floppy or a CD/DVD drive...?You might try booting the system with nothing more than your mouse and keyboard attached. If it boots fine in this configuration, then simply start a process of elimination: reconnect anything else, one peice at a time.Good lick! :o

[mphenterprises]

[quote name='RoryH']You mentioned earlier this is a second computer. Would it be possible for you to try the hard drive from the other computer in this one to see if it boots normally? You wouldn't need to mount the drive, just make sure the power plug and IDE cable are connected; the point is just to check real quick if it boots fine with a different hard drive.Good point; however, please allow me to elaborate. Strfleet, if you take Rory's suggestion, do not use the possible defective drive as a boot drive for the secondary computer. IF the drive is failing, any problem that the drive has will follow into the secondary computer.Also, and this is a stretch, if there is some form of malware that is blocking the Operating System from booting properly, it may infect the secondary computer. Again, this scenario is a LONG STRETCH.At best, what you should do is connect the possible defective drive as a SECONDARY drive only. Before we can best advice you as to how to configure that drive in the second computer, can you tell us how you have the hard drive(s) and optical drive(s) (CD or DVD drive(s)) configured in that second computer?What we would do is make it so that the only thing you are going to do is see if the drive makes any noise in the second computer. If it does not make any noise, than you know that whatever was making that noise is still in the first computer. If it does make a noise OR is not detected by the secondary computer, then we can start to determine that the drive is failing.

[RoryH]

MPH,My suggestion was to take the good drive from his other computer and test it in the one he is having problems with just to see if it boots with a known good hdd. By no means would I suggest taking a suspected bad drive and placing it in a good system!I must not have made myself clear and I appologize for that! :unsure

[mphenterprises]

:oops: LOL No, it is I that has to apologize. :lol:Thanks for clarifying. :wink:

[RoryH]

It's reassuring to know that there are others watching out for possible problems or oversights; covering each others backs!:D

[mphenterprises]

Always. I have said numerous times that what one person misses, another person will catch.I'm almost positive that the drive is failing but your suggestion will either confirm or rebuke that theory.

[starfleet70]

Hey guys I'm back, I was away. It has stopped rebooting. I had a friend come over to take a look...turns out it was overheating. He went into the bios I think and the temp was about 20 degrees above normal. The tower was in an enclosed section of the desk. It's now on top of the desk and is working just fine.

[rgreen4]

Glad it worked out. Physical location of course is one thing we have trouble figuring out. If you have other problems, we will still be here.

[starfleet70]

THANKS:wink: