really unusual problem 3

[ruler1]

hi
i have a computer with a very unusual problem and i cant figure it out
i will try to explain the problem and then explain the hardware i have...
i have xp installed on a 40gb hard disk but when booting to XP i come to the countdown screen where it offers to boot to the last known good configuration or safe mode etc... ok if i click last known good configuration the screen goes blank and freezes forever. ive tried all the safe mode options but when extracting all the tools on the loadup screen it seems to freeze on the same file everytime and never recovers.
ive also tried using the XP cd to repair the installation but it loads up all the tools perfectly until it says at the bottom of the blue screen 'Starting Windows' it again freezes. ive tried several other genuine copies of XP and does the same thing in the same place.
ok i a AM37 motherboard made by FIC and ive tried different power supplies, removing all the IDE devices eccept the windows HDD ive even tried other hard disks and still the same thing. i just cant figure it out and i would really appreciate anyones advice. thanks

 

[wolluf]

It does sound like a hardware problem - have you tried the memory (if > 1 stick, try each on its own, if 1, try another known good).

PS. If you've tried a clean install of XP on another drive and its the same, then definitely other hardware issue - RAM, cpu or mobo favourite - but any expansion cards you've got installed should be disconnected or substituted as well.

 

[ruler1]

ive tried several other memory sticks and i have also removed all other attached boards, its running on the bare minimum. only parts i havent changed is the motherboard and cpu. i thought the cpu was one of those parts that either worked or didnt work. i also have heaps of good working spare parts to test it with eccept a mobo or cpu.

 

[G0AOZ]

Perhaps the CPU is overheating. Check Hardware Monitor in the BIOS. Detach the heatsink and fan assembly from the CPU and blow out accumulated dust etc., and make sure the fan is turning freely. Clean off the mating surfaces thoroughly, then apply a new thin coating of heatsink compound like Artic Silver.

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[SteveLord]

My first thought was memory sticks too. I had this happen with sticks that were only a month old...after putting old ones in, it worked. RMAd, got em back and worked great since.


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[ruler1]

CPU heatsink was already clean and the fan spins fine. ive even tried other CPUs but still the same problem. yes i have tried other memory sticks and again its the same problem.
i just find it strange that it all works fine until it gets to start windows. i have tried other genuine xp cd's but after the loading up of the tools it will say 'starting windows' with the blue screen and white bar at the bottom but freezes on starting up windows.
it isnt the hard disk because i have tried other hard disks and it does the same thing in the same place. its almost as if it crashes when it tries to access a particular chip on the motherboard but this i am not certain about. i just wish there was a motherboard self diagnostic tool i could get to see if there was any issues with the chips on the board.
this is a real brain teaser i have to admit

 

[stduc]

Time to try diagnostics. Start with memtest86 which also gives the CPU a good thrashing.

It may be a memory timing issue so take a look at your BIOS settings. Play with them until memtest86 passes every test all the time repeatedly.

[navy]When I married "Miss Right" I didn't realise her first name was 'always'. LOL[/navy]

 

[clapper62]

If you have a floppy drive maybe try a Win98 startup disk or better still if your comfortable with using disk images may try a BartPE disk or a bootable hard drive utility disk and see if it will boot to that.


Since it freezes at the same place every time I tend to discount overheating(could be wrong)

"There is no pleasure in having nothing to do; the fun is having lots to do and not doing it.
." - Andrew Jackson

 

[ruler1]

i run memtest86 and no errors found. the whole computer still has all the origional parts from when bought from the stores so i tried resetting the bios back to standard and guess what.... yup still the same problem lol
im wondering if an incorrect BIOS update could have caused this but i cant remember updating the BIOS although its posible i might have. i really appreciate the help and thanks

 

[Freestone]

Have you tried running chdsk from the Recovery Console?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314058

 

[Freestone]

sorry make that chkdsk

 

[ruler1]

if you read my first post here you would notice i cant get that far cos the computer freezes just after loading up the tools

 

[Freestone]

I apologize, you are right. I was confused when you said loading the tools rather than loading the startup files.

 

[G0AOZ]

You've made no specific mention of the video adaptor. I guess you could be using an AGP, so might be worth trying an older PCI one, for example.

Also, does the BIOS offer you Optimal and Basic/Default settings? Sometimes going back to the Basic (slower) settings may help...

ROGER - G0AOZ.

 

[ruler1]

basically i put my xp cd into the tray and reboot the system, after the BIOS info screen it asks to press any key to boot from cd... so i press a key. it begins loading all the tools needed for a recovery, repair or a fresh installation etc. at the bottom od the blue screen you can see it loading all the tools and then it will say starting windows just before you get to the agreement page where you would normally press F8 but it freezes when it says at the bottom 'starting windows'. it freezes in the same place no matter what XP i try to install as i have many genuine versions and it also does this in the same place on other drives.

 

[ruler1]

i am using the onboard graphics and yes i have tried using the standard BIOS settings and also reset the BIOS numerious times but still with no luck

i am running it on bare minimum at the moment to narrow down the problem, i have only the motherboard, CPU and memory with one hdd connected (with XP on it) and a new power supply and i good working cd rom.

 

[wahnula]

Are the hard disks IDE or SATA? If SATA, is the SATA controller loaded at F6 during setup?

Sorry if this has already been discussed...

Tony

 

[ruler1]

the motherboard has no SATA ports, only IDE

 

[Freestone]

How is the hard drive jumpered? Cable Select or Master? If Master try Cable Select or vice-versa.

Is the drive at the end of the IDE cable on the Primary IDE controller? If so, perhaps you can try the drive as Master on the Secondary controller to eliminate the Primary controller circuitry.

Have you tried a different IDE cable?

 

[ruler1]

its set as master drive but i havent tried other clabes or the other IDE slot yet but thats something i will try next, thanks for that info