Erratic lock-ups/restarts followed by unbootable state

[MindMeddler]

Sometimes my computer for no reason at all decides reset itself. Then when it tries to start up again, I hear one beep and see the startup screen, but no memory test. It just stops there. I press reset and it does the same thing. Over the past few weeks it occured more often.

I can tell you the history of my comp. A few months ago it had power supply probs. While taking it to repair, it was left in the trunk of a car for about a week. Then it finally got fixed. When I tried it, it had few probs but then random resets started happening and it took several times to manually reset to finally get it booting up with memory test and all. Cold boot doesn't help either. Usually after it does work after 5 min, it's fine from there but a few days later it will get worse.

Anyone know what might be going on and how I can fix it? Right now I can't even use the comp. My guess is there's something wrong with the cmos and bios that won't start the ram check etc. and causing random resets. It can't be the memory because I have 2 sticks both working fine. Help. I need some suggestions.

[Paleo Pete]

Does the reset occur immediately after starting up or after the computer has been running for a while?

Are you positive the memory is good? Try it in another computer or try different memory in that one to prove it either way. If that is not possible, have a computer shop test it. This can be memory related. Try one stick at a time to be sure both are good.

My best guess is either you still have power supply problems, it's faulty or not producing enough wattage for the components in the computer, or you have bad memory. Could also be a bad motherboard, that would be less likely I think.

Try removing all but the basics. Run it without any "frills". Remove sound card, modem, CD ROM, NIC card if installed, and try it as a bare bones system. If it runs right, you most likely have a power problem.

Also check it with the cover off to be sure the power supply fan and CPU fan are both working. There is a chance that plugs may have worked loose during transport, causing heat problems. Also try running it with a small fan blowing inside, to see if heat may be a problem.

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[Randy_tx]

Before you do anything else......open up the case and watch the CPU FAN to see if it is working and spinning fast enough to cool the cpu. It sounds to me like overheating is causing the problem.......it's easy to replace and inexpensive....but CRUCIAL to a cool cpu!!

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When all else fails...start parts swapping!

[MindMeddler]

Thanks for your help but the cpu fan seems to work fine. Both memory sticks are fine. They always both work when it does boot up but right now it can't even. I'll try taking some parts out, running with fewer parts but if that doesn't work, I'm afraid my motherboard is messed up.

[MindMeddler]

holy sh*t I unhooked the power to the cdrom and it worked. Looks like you guys were right. Power juice problem. wtf is up with that. Thanks for borrowing your brains.

[MindMeddler]

Nope it's not the power. Comp messed up again even after unplugging a few components. My cpu fan is running fine. What is the problem!!!???!!! How can I tell if my cpu or motherboard is messed up?

It's not the memory (both sticks either both work or don't) and not heat (cold booting doesn't help). It won't boot after initial startup screen and beep. It happened after it randomly resetted again too.

[This message has been edited by MindMeddler (edited 02-14-2001).]

[Paleo Pete]

1. If you can't hold your finger on the CPU heatsink for at least 10 seconds it's too hot.

2. Random resets are almost always due to either heat or bad/weak power supply. Occasionally memory, or hot video card, but not often. It's overheating or the power supply is bad.

------------------
Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines!
Note: Please post your questions on the forums, not in my email.

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)