Reboot problems

[ChuckG]

Hi,
I've got a custom build PC, running an AMD Athlon XP processor, on a GA-7VM400M (Gigabyte) MB.

Sunday it started doing reboots without warning.

As of right now, if I turn the power on, it gets to the Windows Advanced menu (safe mode/normal/etc) and if I hit safe mode it runs through quite a few lines then simply
reboots. And does it all over.

I've updated the BIOS to the latest revision, tried a different power supply, changed IDE cables, tried a different HD, swapped out the memory, pulled the ATI Video card and tried the onboard but nothing seems to help.

I did find it interesting that I can boot the system up to the CMOS screen and it'll sit on that screen without rebooting (left it on for 2 hours yesterday to test).

Only other thing I can think of is the MB, and I don't have a spare one to test with.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks
ChuckG

 

[maultier]

Try booting with one of the 'live' linux distributions from cd (Knoppix, Suse, etc). That should tell you if it's a problem in the Windows load or not.

 

[Lemon13]

it could be a memory prob, do a logged boot, have a look in the bootlog file where u get errors or where he restarts.

 

[DTracy]

Try starting the recovery console--you'll need an XP disc. Run chkdsk /r, may take a couple of hours. Restart.

David.

 

[ChuckG]

Well I've tried replacing the memory. I also reseated the
CPU (and found out whomever built this PC put enough thermal compound on it to glue to CPU to the heat sink) after I cleaned all the compound off and put some just on the chip.

Right at the moment, the system will boot up to the "starting windows XP" and run the white bar across the bottom. Then it freezes.

I've tried putting a XP Pro CD in and simply reload the system from scratch, it goes along fine until it gets to "Starting Windows" then just freezes there.

I even put a self booting ERD Commander CD in, and it freezes at the same place the installed version of XP does.

I'm at a loss as to what it could be. I've tried putting a different hard drive on the system, different memory, different drive cables, only thing I haven't changed is the CPU or mobo.

ChuckG

 

[DTracy]

I'd try starting from scratch and working my way up. Unplug everything. Plug in the power cord and the monitor. Start it up. If she still hangs, find a new video card and repeat, otherwise, add the keyboard. Repeat.

 

[mainegeek]

The registry and/or system files are probably corrupt.

Try booting to the selective startup screen F8 and select VGA.

 

[kmcferrin]

Any leaking or bulging capacitors on the mainboard? That board is probably about the right age to have had this sort of problem.

 

[DTracy]

ChuckG-

After re-reading your intial post, try starting her from a 98 disk.

Regards,
David