Boot Up Problem

Hi All, am new to this so please forgive if i mess up!

I am having a problem with my computer starting up, sometimes it will and other times i have to turn it on several times before getting it to start.
The poor baby is rather old but well looked after as far as i am aware.
I am not sure what extra info you need but will start with basics
windows xp pro, intel celeron 500mhz processor, 320mb ram.

I am not getting the usual beeps i used to get on start up, i am sure there is a more technical term but i'm afraid beeps is the only way i can describe them. My husband did install msn messenger 7.5 on it just before it started to play up so i think that may have been a factor but i have uninstalled it and even restored system to date prior to his install but puter still plays up when i try and turn it on.

I would appreciate any help at all from anyone as i am getting to the stage where throwing him (computer not husband, though it's sometimes a close call) out of the window. He's always been a very well behaved puter up till now.

Thanks in advance
Katriss

 

If your getting different beep codes please tell us what beeps your getting (how many beeps) and your bios type or Go Here

 

Hi and thank you for replying, i get no beeps at all i can just hear the hard drive spinning. This happens about 6 or 7 times then the computer will give me one beep (which is what i always have had) and he boots up fine. It seems to only not boot up from a cold boot, if it's been on, is turned off and turned on again while still warm he is ok. BIOS is AMI(10/28/99). Hope this helps, have been to beep page you posted too but can't find this specific problem. :-(

 

Your problem may be related to "creep", electrical components will gradually work out of their sockets due to the thermal reaction of turning a computer off and on. Open your computer case and remove and reseat the memory, video card, and all IDE connectors. Hope this helps!

 

the only thing that I can think of would be your psu sometimes when they are going bad you can hit the on switch a few times then it will finnaly start up then after its warmed up it works fine this is only a guess