computer start up problem

[Brayden]

Greetings,

I'm a pretty computer savy person. Ive built my last 3 machines from scratch so Im not totally clueless about how they work. The problem is with my wife's computer that I did not build. I bought it off my brother after I helped him build a new one. Its a Gateway, P4 1.7ghz and I forget when he got it, but its definatly a few years old now. Anyway, she doesnt use it much other than web stuff and FFXI.
Lately though, on completely random times, it will fail during the startup. We'll get the usual Gateway bios screen, then the windows startup, but then it goes into a black screen with only the curser available. Its like windows isnt loading at the last moment or something. I can move the curser around but nothing ever happens and we have to restart. Ive also seen it do this when Ive tried to start up in safemode. Same baisc deal. Im wondering if its the HDD failing, its a really old one, like 20 gigs or something. However in the past when ive had HDDs fail windows doesnt even load up, and you can usually hear them clicking loudly like a time bomb or something. I have a newer HDD I am planning on putting in this weekend, but that means hours of installation, updates, then program installs, updates, FFXI install etc.
Based off what generic information I was able to give, does anyone have an idea as to what the problem might be? Im "guessing" its the HDD, but since I didnt build this machine, i guess it could maybe be something else like the mobo or powersupplly? Eventually with enough random restarts, the machine resumes normal functioning and will remain working properly until another random time in the future.
Sorry this is sort of a jumble of info, but trying to get across what the problem is best I can and the background of the user involved.

[LadyKiKi]

Re: computer start up problem

You tried CTRL ALT DEL during the mouse cursor to get to the task manager and then going to File -> Run and type in Explorer?

[Jarre]

Re: computer start up problem

Have you used the disk manufacturers utilities on the HDD (seagate have seatools) to check for bad sectors, corrupt disk partitions etc? Most manufacturers have it freely availiable to download.

Have you virus scanned, spyware scanned etc?

Have you defragged it lately or running scandisk (from utilities)?

Have you checked that their is no loose connection in the case?

Tried replacing the IDE cable with a different one? (assuming its before sata)

Tried a different power lead inside (i.e. swap it for a spare one not in use or with another device i.e. cd drive)

Just some ideas...

[Yellow Mage]

Re: computer start up problem

Stole'd from Murph:



Though, admittedly, it wasn't as bad as when he used it. I'll be sure to reserve it for more extreme cases next time. I just wanted to steal it at least once.

[Brayden]

Re: computer start up problem

Have you used the disk manufacturers utilities on the HDD (seagate have seatools) to check for bad sectors, corrupt disk partitions etc? Most manufacturers have it freely availiable to download.

Have you virus scanned, spyware scanned etc?

Have you defragged it lately or running scandisk (from utilities)?

Have you checked that their is no loose connection in the case?

Tried replacing the IDE cable with a different one? (assuming its before sata)

Tried a different power lead inside (i.e. swap it for a spare one not in use or with another device i.e. cd drive)

Just some ideas...

I did some of these (defrag, virus, HDD scandisck etc), but I'll open up the case this weekend and check all the inner cords, cables etc. Didnt occur to me that some could have indeed come loose or damaged etc. Thanks.

[TheGrandMom]

Re: computer start up problem

It's interesting what damaged cords can do to a computer. My husband was having a host of issues with his computer. It would restart randomly sometimes, he couldn't get past bios sometimes, it would freeze up sometimes, and other annoying little things. It would be proceeded by a "buzzing" in his headphones that would continue to grow louder and then the computer would do something asinine. After checking a few things, my son and I thought power supply. Funny thing is, he just bought a 650w (overkill) ps about 8 months ago. We had another ps here so we were going to swap it out and see and thats when we found out that it was definately the ps. The plug into the mb was melted and because of this pins were loose or unattached. We had to dig pieces of plastic out of the freakin mb plug in order to plug a new one in even.

Lately we have had computer gremlins up the yingyang at our house and its *$@&# irritating! Three of our main computers have all had major issues at the same time and we just don't have the time to do all this diagnosing, tear downs, and rebuilds. /sigh

[Mhurron]

Re: computer start up problem

It would be proceeded by a "buzzing" in his headphones

Surefire sign of a power problem, whether it is a problem with the power supply itself, or a short somewhere.

Lately we have had computer gremlins up the yingyang at our house and its *$@&# irritating! Three of our main computers have all had major issues at the same time and we just don't have the time to do all this diagnosing, tear downs, and rebuilds. /sigh

Is everything plugged into a good UPS or surge protector? Personally I have a power conditioner because the house has, shall we say, a dirty power problem.

[TheGrandMom]

Re: computer start up problem

Yes, as soon as he told me about the buzzing (he didn't think it was related to it), I yelled to my son to get the spare ps. LOL Would have saved us some grief if he'd of mentioned it sooner. We absolutely have to have a line conditioner in our home. Our house is 100+ yrs old and we live in a very old neighborhood (right down to the people!). LOL The previous owner told us he pulled all the knob and tube but lately we've been wondering just how truthful he's been so it looks like we have some electrical investigation/work in our future anyways.

[Aeni]

Re: computer start up problem

Probably the OP resolved his issues already, but it's definitely a hardware problem. Trying to narrow down the hardware in question will be a little difficult, but more than likely, try to focus on the power supply and memory and check the ambient temperature in the case and the CPU itself. These would be the main culprit of the boot failure.