I have a P4 2.4 GHz computer. During the start up of the computer it locks up, and won't go anywhere anymore. It happens sometimes after just a few seconds sometimes after about 12-13 seconds, sometimes even 30 seconds.
I have changed the HDD, and the CPU fan, cleared the CMOS, the computer was running fine for about 6 months, when installing the Sims it suddenly locked up, and never functioned good again...

Any sugetions???????:confused: :confused:

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Was this a retail copy of the SIMS? If it was bootleg, it is possible that you installed something really nasty on your system. If this is the case, it must have effected your BIOS and replacing the BIOS is the only fix I know for that since you apparently can't boot to a DOS prompt.

Are you getting any beep codes when you try to boot?

Consider trying a barebones boot - mobo, CPU, power, case speaker, video, keyboard, 1 stick RAM and no drives. If it still doesn't work, try the same thing, but out of the case on a nonconductive surface (like a piece of cardboard. Let us know what happens and more ideas will follow....

Retail copy of sims... No beeps when this happens.

It happens at different times during start up... I made it 1 time to the OS... last night I didn't even make it to 5 seconds....

That narrows the list of possible suspects, but still a few left. Power supply, RAM and problems with heat stand out.

Heat isn't likely because it happens right away, but could be if the CPU heatsink is not sitting properly and the CPU is overheating quickly.

Power supply is high on list and if you have another you could try or a multimeter to check it with, I would do so.

RAM is less likely because you should be getting some error beeps if it is RAM, but you may have to test eventually anyway.

A short is also possible and the barebones out of the box would assess that.

Video is also possible, but again, should be getting error beeps.

what should the reading on the power supply be? which of the plugs should I test???
I have multiple computers...
Can I put the 2 next to eachother and hook the power supply of a good computer to the broken computer mother board?

Thank you so much for the help you are giving me....:)

Assuming it is compatible, I would remove the power supply from the other computer and install it to the motherboard of the one you are working on. It is unlikely that the connections would be feasible if you try to do it while still in the other computer.

Go to
Power Supply (http://www.pcguide.com/ref/power/sup/index.htm) for more detail on power supplies.

I will try the power supply thing and let you know after the weekend...

Thanks again,

Andre