booting

[shaun_44_2000]

built up a new comp for my friend, booting into xp(pro), it stops at the window after u have entered user details( i think it's the window that says something like "windows is now starting")...it will stay at this window, until the screensaver comes on, and then u can click on user name again and it will will load windows.

also, not sure if this is a related problem, but the computer will only boot every other time it is switched on... ie one time the fans and power will go on, but computer will not boot at all, and next time it will be fine(although will still have problem as described at top)..

Any ideas/help would be greatly appreciated.

[ski]

Disconnect and reconnect all connections making sure they are secure, remove and reseat all cards and the memory, and use only Default settings in BIOS.

If the startup problem still happens, then place the MB on a piece of cardboard.
If that works, then the MB is shorting out.
Remove any metal standoffs that are instelled where there is not MB hole.
If ok, then look for a metal object behind the MB.
If ok, then place paper washers between the MB and its metal standoffs.

If placing the MB on cardboard does not help, then install only one RAM module, remove all cards except the video card, and disconnect all drives except the boot HD.

If it works, then install each card and drive one at a time until the problem resurfaces. The last card or drive added is the culprit.

If it still happens with one RAM module, the video card, and the boot HD, then install the RAM in a different slot.
If that works, then the previous RAM slot may be faulty.

If no good, then install a different RAM module.
If that works, then the previous module may be faulty.

If no good, then try a different video card.
If that works, then the original card is bad.

If none of the above helps, then either the PS, MB, or CPU may be bad.
Swap them out, or have them tested to find the cause.

[shaun_44_2000]

ok cheers. will have a look at that later- looks like i could have a job on my hands tho, doing all of that......

I'll keep u posted on how it goes

cheers

[shaun_44_2000]

soretd out first problem- went into control userpasswords2 and changed it so that the default logon was the user name , rather than the system name- logs on fine now.

still no luck with second problem tho :confused:

[ski]

Did you try standby mode when not using the computer?

[shaun_44_2000]

no not yet- will do in a bit tho...

[Jabberwocky]

Check the power and reset buttons are connected correctly. If you've wired reset as power that will give a failed first boot.

[shaun_44_2000]

managed to sort out other problem- through luck i think....

cheers for all your help anyway.

went into bios, and looked at settings, everything was on default- decided to overclock the cpu, so i took it up a couple of notches.... and hey presto! boot problem disappeared. Bios must for some reason not liked the settings as they were, even though it seemed fine during POST etc.

[ski]

OK, glad that things are working.
Thanks for posting back with the fix.
However, you may want to monitor the CPU temp just to make sure it does not overheat.

[shaun_44_2000]

yeah- had the cpu on full load for about 4 hours- sat at a nice healthy 38 degrees C.

[ski]

Sounds cool to me.