Windows XP will not boot.......

I've read several threads about this issue, but have had no success.

I have turned this problem every-which-way-but loose and can't
find a solution. Here's my story:

Dell XPS 400; replaced hard drive; replaced video card; replaced and
increased ram; installed Windows 7

Everything ran fine for a month or so, then machine began to reboot
randomly and would get caught up in a loop. Reaches the splash
screen. a blue screen flashes briefly, but cant' read it.

Reformatted hard drive and installed XP to see it the problem was
7 related. Worked fine for a couple of weeks, then did the same thing.

Can't repair or select last good installation. Can't open in Safe Mode.

Reset cmos and it started, but immediately rebooted and looped again.

Started computer with Linux Live cd, and can access the hard drive and
access the internet (would this indicate the hard drive is ok?)

Ran various tests on ram and hard drive.......all ok

removed memory stick and tried to run.....no luck

swap memorty stick and tried to run......no luck

Any suggestions as to what might be happening? doesn't appear to be
operating system because it did the same thing with Windows 7 and
with XP

Wanted to try to install Linux to hard drive in a partition, but the install
doesn't show the partion slider as it normally does. Don't want to
delete XP (yet) as the clean install didn't seem to fix the issue.

Helpppppppppppppp!

Thanks

 

Greetings, jmas49.

There is a version of Occam's Razor that goes: Eliminate the impossible, and whatever is left, however improbable, must be the truth. Since you've already replaced the OS, video card, hard drive, and RAM, then the major components left are motherboard, processor, and power supply.

The mobo/CPU are problematic: common sense would dictate that if you're to replace those, you may as well build a new machine.

So - IMO, that leaves power supply: PSUs have been known to cause weird, system-wide symptoms. My suggestion would be to find a good PSU with the same footprint as your existing unit (albeit with higher output - 500-600 watts is the norm, now), and do the relatively easy swap. That would certainly be my next step.

The good thing about the new unit is that if you do decide to upgrade in the future, your PSU should be capable.

Keep us posted, and welcome to MG! :major

 

If you still have XP/Win7 on your machine, try to boot with "Disable automatic restart on system failure".

That way, you will be able to read your blue screen error.

 

Have considered the PSU as a possible culprit. I have several old PSUs but none
that are in the 500 range or above. May just order a new one since they are
relatively inexpensive and can be used again later if not the problem.

Plan to uninstall the new video card and try again using the onboard video that
came with the computer when purchased to see if a lesser demand for power
seems to have any affect.

Will keep you informed of the progress (or lack of progress).

Thanks for your response.

 

Windows 7 isn't installed now. Replaced it with XP which is currently
"installed."

 

You can also do that on XP. You can see it as one of the options on going "Safe Mode"

 

Thanks for the tip Jacklantern!

I actually found the solution for being able to read the
blue screen info, but the problem progressed further
before I did it.

I have reformated the hard drive and attempted to
reinstall XP with no luck. Will not even install now.

Also tried to install Linux with the same result.

I'm thinking whatever caused the problem has also
done something to the hard drive now.

This gets more confusing with each step!

 

Have you read the error? If so, please tell us it's tag/name so that everyone in this forum may help you.

Or are you encountering a new problem?

 

Have rebooted so many times now, I've lost all
track of the error messages (there was a variety).

After reformatting and attempting the reinstall, the
previous error messages became mute.

And the new attempt to install XP didn't even get
as far as the blue screen.

Verrrrrry frustrating to say the least!

 

What are you getting this time?

A black screen stop after the "Setup is inspecting your hardware setup..etc" message?

 

With the attempt to install XP, it just stopped and there
was a message but unfortunately i didn't write it down
(I know.....I'm and idiot!)

With the following attempt to install Linux, the installation
began the process with the formatting of the drive and
then just froze up.

 

Latest update to the situation.

Removed the new video card. Using the original
onboard video.

Attempted to install Linux again and was successful
this time. Will leave it running for a while to see if
anything bad happens, and if no problems occur,
will reinstall the video card and see what happens.

 

OK then.

If you encounter any errors or problems, just keep this thread posted.

 

Latest status:

Installed Linux and reinstalled video card. Everything worked.

Reinstalled Windows 7. Will run video intensive game to see
if it causes any problems.

Still have no idea what is causing the problem, but suspect
it may be a PSU issue (althought nothing to base that assumption on)
due to the intermittent time frame of the occurances.

Before upgrading the computer, checked with Dell to see if the
basic computer could handle the upgrades. Dell support indicated
it should be no problem.

Will run the computer with Windows 7 for a while and see if the
problem happens again. Still have no definitive idea as to what
is causing the problem.

Will keep you informed.