Problems with Startup

[r0adrunner]

I have also had a problem starting my desktop computer for the last 3 days and today I had to try several times before it started normally.

 

I receive messages saying that Windows did not start properly and I had to choose one of 4-5 options, including Using Safe Mode, Using Last Known Configeration and Start Windows Normally.

 

Today all I received the first couple of times was a message asking me to press CRTL-ALT-DEL.

 

My desktop computer is a Comaq Intel® Pentium® 4.

 

My OS is Windows XP.

 

Any help would be much appreciated.

[KenB]

Hi,

 

I have split your post from the other thread as it gets complicated running two problems together :)

 

Have you tried Last Known Good Configuration from the Advanced Start-up Options?

 

Do you have the original installation disk ? ( no recovery disks )

[r0adrunner]

I tried the Last Known Good Configuration option but it did not help start Windows. I had to turn the computer off and re-start it before Windows would start properly.

 

No I don't have the original installation disk, it was installed for me by an Internet cafe/computer shop.

[KenB]

Hi

 

Do you get any POST beeps?

a] when the machine boots up normally

b] when it refuses to boot up

[r0adrunner]

a] Not that I recall.

 

b] This morning I had to boot up twice in order for Windows to start. The second time it started successfully, but the first time it only had a Set Up option, and it bleeped constantly.

 

I took it to a shop yesterday where the mechanic told me there could be lots of reasons for the failure to boot up, but he only did a disk clean up, but obviously it has not resolved the problem.

 

Thanks.

[KenB]

mechanic told me there could be lots of reasons for the failure to boot up, but he only did a disk clean up,

I hope he didn't charge you for this ??

 

1. Take the side panel off and check the inside of the case for dust.

If there is any blow this away with a can of compressed air ( outside is best ! ) or use a soft brush.

Pay particular attention to the motherboard - underneath as well. ( be careful here )

 

2. Take the RAM modules out and clean the contacts with a pencil eraser.

Put just one back.

Try running the machine.

 

If you get the same problem swap the modules over and run on the other one.

[r0adrunner]

No he didn't!

 

1. It looks like my PC has a single lid, so I cannot just remove a side panel. Shall I remove the entire lid? How do I identfy the motherboard?

 

2. How do I identify RAM modules? Is it easy to remove them?

 

When - if necessary - swapping RAM modules, do I insert the one that I did not originally put back, or put back the other one and keep the other one in, so both are back?

 

Thanks.

[KenB]

Hi

 

Remove the lid or cover or panel so that you can access the inside of your machine.

The motherboard is the big circuit board that everything is attached to.

 

The RAM modules look like this:

http://knoji.com/images/user/ram_slot_1.jpg

 

It is easy to remove them#

The white levers will need to be moved outwards and the module will be lifted out of the slot.

(re-fitting is a matter of pressing one end down first then the other .....the locking levers will click into place)

 

do I insert the one that I did not originally put back

Yes

 

Basically you are trying to get the system working properly.

If it works OK with one module in - but not the other then you have identified the problem.

 

If it is the same with both modules - put both back.

[terry0912]

When you say it did not up boot up correctly, do you mean that it would not start correctly or it all started but did not work properly?

If option 1- I suspect that the PSU (Power Supply) may be failing, and the system is not getting enough power to start correctly.

 

If option 2- Did not start correctly, I suspect a fault in the operating system. On option 2, I suggest you create a boot disk (This can be either a Floppy Disk, or a formatted USB thumb drive.)

 

Put these files on you disk:

NTLDR.COM

NTDETECT.COM

BOOT.INI

 

To find these you will have to open all system files and all hidden files.

Turn off your modem ( No anti-virus will be loaded)

 

Boot from this drive, as this will bypass the normal window boot up system (loading basic drivers only). If this cures the problem then you need to repair the installation.

 

Terry

Edited October 1, 2012 by terry0912

[r0adrunner]

I was about to try KenB's suggestion of cleaning the dust out when I read your post.

 

What happens is that Windows does not start, so although the computer is switched on, it cannot start Windows.

 

That sounds more like option 1, right?

[r0adrunner]

The mechanic at the PC shop tried the two suggetsions in KenB's post (above), but although it worked fine for a couple of days, today it required me to boot up twice to get Windows started because it did not start the first time.

 

The mechanic said that he could not find anything faulty and suspects it may just be old age (I bought the computer - second hand - 3.5 years ago).

 

Is there anything else I can do?

 

Many thanks.

[KenB]

Hi

 

I have never heard of a computer dying of "old Age" - there has to be a reason :)

 

There is a possibility ( as Terry0912 has already suggested ) that the PSU is playing up.

They can do this - they don't just stop working sometime ......they become intermittent ......working OK then lack of power.

 

The only real test is to swap the PSU for a known good one.

 

There are no guarantees. If the tech you visited has a spare one he may let you test it first before you buy it :)

[r0adrunner]

Thanks.

 

Does PSU stand for Power Supply Unit? Is it located inside the computer console?

 

I am also considering buying a new computer.

 

I use it almost exclusively for internet access - including live video streaming - so I wondered whether a desktop or laptop is the best option? I use it mainly at home but the portability advantage of a laptop might come in handy in the future.

 

I was advised against buying a laptop on the grounds of performance and reliability.

 

Any advice would be welcomed.

Edited October 5, 2012 by r0adrunner

[KenB]

Yes PSU = Power Supply Unit.

 

They look like this:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]841.vB5-legacyid=1653[/ATTACH]

 

All the wires make it look complicated to fit - but they are relatively easy.

They are not too expensive.

Yours will probably be around 300 Watts

 

click here

 

Some PSUs are better than others.

[r0adrunner]

I will try that.

 

Are they difficult to fit?

 

If I buy the Octigen 300W ATX Power Supply Unit 20pin will it fit my PC? I have a desktop Comaq Intel® Pentium® 4.

 

Thank you.

[r0adrunner]

On reflection, I do not think it is a problem with the Operating System because this morning I had to switch on 3 times (twice yesterday) for it to start correctly. At first I got an error message saying "Disk error".

 

From the advice given above, I suspect it is the PSU because it sometimes starts correctly.

 

Does that sound more likely to you?

 

Thanks very much for your help.

[Plastic Nev]

Hi, The message "disk error" is actually now suggesting a hard drive problem. Either the drive is sticking and refusing at first to spin up, or is slow at getting up to speed from cold.

As you may know, the hard drive is a multiple of magnetic disks which have to spin for the read head to see the data on them. If as you say the computer is fairly old now, the bearings for those disks may be either worn or running dry of lubrication.

 

Nev.

[KenB]

I have to agree with Nev.

The "Disk Error" does point towards the Hard Disk and not the PSU.

 

I suggest that you copy anything that you have on the hard Drive that is needed. Don't delay.

 

We can then run a diagnostic on the Hard Disk to check it out.

If the Hard Drive is failing it could go at any time.

 

If it comes to it and you need to replace the hard drive - do you have recovery disks or the original installation disk ?

[r0adrunner]

No, I don't.

 

I had a new - although I don't know how new - hard drive installed in June 2011.

 

How do we check the hard drive?

 

Thank you.

[KenB]

Do you know the make and model number of the hard drive ?

 

If not, download Speccy from here:

http://www.piriform.com/speccy/download

 

You want the free version.

Install and run it.

It will give you a full diagnostic of your system.

[r0adrunner]

No, I don't.

 

OK, will do, thanks.

 

How much is a new hard drive? I was told £120 by the PC shop the other day. Is that about right?

Edited October 8, 2012 by r0adrunner

[r0adrunner]

Hard Drives

SAMSUNG SP0411N

Manufacturer SAMSUNG

Heads 16

Cylinders 16383

Device type Fixed

ATA Standard ATA/ATAPI-7

Serial Number S01JJ60Y602184

LBA Size 48-bit LBA

Power On Time UNKNOWN

Features S.M.A.R.T., AAM

Transfer Mode Ultra DMA/133

Interface PATA

Capacity 31.5GB

Real size 33,820,286,976 bytes

RAID Type None

S.M.A.R.T

Partition 0

Partition ID Disk #0, Partition #0

Disk Letter C:

File System NTFS

Volume Serial Number 849204A7

Size 31.5GB

Used Space 11.2GB (36%)

Free Space 20.3GB (64%)

[r0adrunner]

Operating System

Microsoft Windows XP Professional 32-bit SP3

CPU

Intel Pentium 4

Northwood 0.13um Technology

RAM

1.00 GB DDR @ 133MHz (2.5-3-3-6)

Motherboard

Compaq 07E4h (XU1 PROCESSOR)

Graphics

AL1716 (800x600@60Hz)

Intel 82845G/GL/GE/PE/GV Graphics Controller

Hard Drives

31.5GB SAMSUNG SP0411N (PATA)

Optical Drives

HL-DT-ST RW/DVD GCC-4480B

Audio

SoundMAX Integrated Digital Audio

[KenB]

To test your drive you will need to download Sea Tools ( Samsung / Seagate's own diagnostic software ) Click the "Download" option in the toolbar.

click here

 

 

There are 2 options.

Windows - if you can boot up use this one.

 

DOS - if you can't boot up you need to use this one. You will need to download it from another computer and burn a CD ( easy process )

 

There is a PDF guide for both on the right side of the link I gave you.

 

This may help too - it walks you through the installation and running using pictures.

click here

 

EDIT

 

I was told £120 by the PC shop the other day. Is that about right?

 

If you have not got an Operating System Disk then this price is probably including an OEM Windows installation.

You would need to check.

 

I would be inclined to check the drive first before spending that amount of money :)

I hope the PC Shop wasn't PC World ?

[Armageddon]

Just a quick point was the hard drive quote including fitting a reinstall of the operating system etc etc because even then it sounds very expensive a PATA hard drive double the capacity you have now is only £20 at amazon Click here