DOS Locking up! Help pleeaassee.

[bradleyd]

I just purchased a new HD because my computer was locking up ALL THE TIME, so I just bought a new HD thinking this would solve my problems..... it didn't. After installing the new HD the computer locks up at the C; prompt for God's sake....what kind of hardware problem is this?? Could it be a motherboard issue, or what? Any help would be great.

bradley

 

[Snickle]

Well, you've eliminated/changed 1 variable, you might want to try others. Unplug the data cable to the hard drive and boot to a (Win98) floppy disk. See what happens there. Plug the drive back in, boot to the floppy and see if you can read the C: drive, type dir c: at the floppy prompt.

If the drive can't be read, temporarily plug it into the Secondary IDE channel and try again. Could be the IDE controller on the motherboard is flaky/bad.

Obviously you have partitioned and formatted the C drive so if you can read it, then it could be problems with the memory.

If you 2 or more memory modules try taking one at a time out and see if that helps. Be sure the single module is in the first slot.

From a distance, it's hard to advise specific actions. It's just a remove/replace process when it can't be seen on a tech's bench.

Remove all the plug-in cards except the video and try it. Then replace one until you get the problem again.

 

[bradleyd]

thanks for the advice, i'll try those sugestions and let ya know!

 

[bradleyd]

ok, i did all that and no dice. once i turn the computer on it lights up the cdrom drive lights and the hd lights for about 3 seconds, then nothing. the monitor doesn't turn on or anything. when i unplugged the hd and just left the startup disk in nothing happened. i removed all the cards and everything else you recommended, any more ideas?!?!?!?

thanks for your help!!

bradley

 

[Snickle]

From all that's been tried it seems to be down to either a failing/bad power supply or motherboard.

 

[Xemus]

You might also want to make sure you're not overheating. Check to make sure all your fans are still working and if you can get into the BIOS, check for a tempurature reading.