computer shuts down when booting

Compaq Presario SR2163WM: This computer was having problems with the CPU running hot, so maybe that's the problem. In any case, it tries to boot but shuts down just before it gets to Windows. It may try again; i.e., shuts down, then restarts on its own, but alway shuts down again.... No beep codes, nothing. Shuts off like somebody pulled the plug.
Keith

 

Can you try to boot from a CD/DVD instead of the internal hard drive and see if the same thing happens?

 

Try going into your bios when booting, and stay about a 30 seconds, that will ensure that it is not a stuck power button.

Then see if you can boot from a cd/dvd/usb I suggest a bootable OS like a linux live cd and run for about 10 minutes.
This will ensure your cpu is working ok, and not overheating.

If you make it through those, it may be a hard drive error (possible bad sectors) or windows error and/or malware.

 

Given that the booting problems only seemed to occur after the CPU ran way to hot, and the fact that these Intel Pentium 4 631 CPUs are way cheap ($16.68 delivered), I got a new CPU and installed it. Also cleaned up the cooling tower and renewed the thermal paste again. That fixed the problem, and, initially at least, the cooling problem too. It was running at 62-66c, which is right in its normal zone. Then, after being on for about an hour (idling, with nothing but Speedfan running) it zoomed up to 79c, so I turned the computer off. I know it needs a new fan since the old one is very loud and never shuts down or even slows down. Always sounds like a hair dryer is running in there. What can I do to cool it down more? I would also like a quiet fan. Anybody know where to get one?
Keith

 

Hi,

Have a look at "speed step" technology online.

This maybe part of the solution in reducing the "hair dryer" sound effect.

Also if your cpu is overclocked then this maybe a reason, some bios will allow you to set the motherboards cpu fan speed as well as some overclocking management type software.

If you alter this ensure that the temperature of the cpu isn't getting to hot - cooking.

Also if it's an older unit the thermal paste between cpu and heatsink can dry making the cpu run hot, in turn the fan may speed up to compensate.

You need to be extremely careful when removing heatsink from cpu to see if the thermal paste is all dried and cracked or just to thin to begin with..
Careful not to touch motherboard can be awkward removing the heatsink clips and can risk static discharge damage. Care is required with the heatsinks fan, not to touch it if possible, incase it gets knocked on a bit of a lean and oscillates when at speed = more noise.

You should also have at least larger type Case 2 fans, an intake fan typically at the front of the case and an exhaust fan at the back near the power supply region is typical.
This is so cooler air from the front of the case can be sucked in and the hot air is extracted from the rear causing a inflow / out flow of air across the motherboard
It is possible, I have seen it, to discover both fans set as intake air, so they are kind of fighting against each other and being far less effective.

:wave

 

Re: computer shuts down when booting--problem fixed

Got it running and running cool. Note: The orientation of the cooling tower, at least in this particular computer, matters.
Keith