Takes several attempts to boot computer

Hello all,

I have a challenge. I am working with a Gateway Select 1200 (built in 2001). When the computer is turned on, it freezes at the XP splash. I have to turn it off and on 2 to 3 times before it will boot (this also occurs when trying to boot in safe mode). Once the computer boots, it works just fine.

Here are the things I have tried:
1) reinstalled windows XP
2) Replaced the HD and reinstalled XP
3) Checked all power connections
4) Tried to boot with only minimal devices connected (ie CD/DVD drive, etc)

Here are some system specs:
-Gateway Select 1200 (built in 2001)
-256MB 133 SDRAM
-AMD Athlon (133 bus speed)
-Jabil Athlon motherboard - 1.2-GHz
-250-Watt 3.3-Volt Power Supply (ATX connector)
-80GIG HD (Western Digital)
-32MB NVIDIA GeForce2 MX AGP Video Card R1
-2 CD-RW/DVD Drives
-3.5 floppy drive

Could this be an issue with the power supply or is this problem caused by something else? If the problem is potentially the power supply, how could I test the power supply short of buying a new one and putting it in? Additionally, does a new power supply have to be the same wattage as the old one and how do I determine what power supplies are compatable with this system?

Any thoughts you could give would be appreciated!!
Thanks!

 

Had this problem on my brothers pc, turned out that the bios default for "Auto" on memory timings / cpu clock was under rated. Should've been 200mhz but it was running on 166mhz as default; why? no idea.

 

Damaged CD wouldn't install WXP on it, would give you an error during the installation of windows. Had this problem with one of my older Wxp-h cd's. Scratch was so minor that it was rediculous.

 

Just giving you insight; didnt mean to oppress you, but if I went through it(couple of times sadly nuff) and Im *sure* thats not the problem, then I rather spread the helpfull word then ignore it.

 

Thanks for the suggestion! The computer has been running XP for about a year and a half before this problem started.

Thanks again

 

How do I fix the bios default that Omegamerc was mentioning above? Additionally, is it common for that problem to just come from nowhere without any changes to the system (ie...it just changes it self).

Thanks again

 

No, and I doubt the bios on Gateway computers will let you set the front side bus speed. So, even if that's the problem, which it probably isn't, you wouldn't be able to fix it.

My guess is it's a faulty piece of hardware. Power Supply, RAM, CPU, Motherboard.

 

Wyatt,
If you were to take an educated guess, which of those hardware issues do you believe would be responsible and how would I check each of those pieces of hardware to determine whether it is the problem.

Thanks

 

Well, on the times it fails to boot up, does it give you any beeps?

 

I recall any beeps (this is actually a friends computer). One additional item, once running, if the computer is left alone for an extendended period of time and "goes to sleep", it will freeze upon trying to wake it up.

 

When the splash screen is loading it is loading the drivers needed for the comp to operate,I would take an uneducated guess at a driver conflict somewhere,it can also cause the system to hang upon awake because the driver will rattle whatever hardware its not working well with.

Where are you getting your drivers from?are they up to date?

 

Most drivers are coming from the website of the vendor or the disk when installed. I am not entirely sure that they are all up-to-date. The computer had been running fine under its current configuration; this just came out of the blue. My friend indicated that the only thing he has done is the Microsoft critical update downloads.

 

Hmmm...you could try running BootVis to see if a driver is indeed locking up the system.

 

Once installed does this program begin at startup or does it reboot the system and analyze to start up process?

 

It reboots the computer and records the boot data for the following boot up until the point that the computer starts up.

 

Is that progam safe? Zone Alarm flagged it and suggested to deny access.

 

Good prog Goord!