Xp Computer Won't Boot Up

Background: About a week ago I found my monitor was a solid blue color. I powered the monitor on and off with no effect getting it back to normal. Rebooted the computer to find an error had occurred with NVIDIA ntune command. ntuncmd.exe 6.0 40.6 nvsulib.dll. Restored to a restore point, computer was fine and ran for several days with no problem. Then a pink screen, I attempted re-boot but this time the computer wouldn't boot to windows despite several attempts.

When the power button is pressed the computer receives power, no beeps, and all the front and rear cooling fans spin. Internally, a small fan near the motherboard spins, the graphic cards fans spin: the lower mounted graphic card fan, where the monitor cable attaches to the computer, stops spinning after about 1 to 2 minutes but the upper graphics card fan continues to spin at a high rate and continues spinning for as long as I leave the power on. The power supply light shows green. The light on the motherboard is a solid yellow/amber color, depending on if illuminated with a flashlight

Computer Specs:
XPS 630, Intel Core2 processor E8400 (3.0 GHz,1333FSB) w/Dual Core Technology and 6MB cache
48X Combo and 16X DVD+/-RW
4GB DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz
Dual 512MB NVIDIA GeForce 8800GT
24 in (24 in viewable) 2408 Wide Digital Flat Panel
500GB NCQ SATA Hard Drive (7200 RPM) w/ 16MB DataBurst Cache
Microsoft Windows XP Pro,ENG
Ageia PhysX Processor
S and P Drop-in-Box Marcom for DHS Desktops
Black Bezel Chassis

I appreciate the help and guidance.

 

http://www.dell.com/support/home/uk/en/ukbsdt1/product-support/product/xps-630/manuals
Unfortunately, I COULDNOT GET THE MANUAL TO OPEN, BUT THE SETUP GUIDE DOES
http://downloads.dell.com/manuals/all-products/esuprt_desktop/esuprt_xps_desktop/xps-630_setup guide_en-us.pdf

Try using the vga connection, and removing the lead the graphics card, (even remove graphics card, if you feel able)-as it could be the graphics card playing up-

Connect the monitor using EITHER the white DVI cable or the blue VGA cable (DO NOT use both cables-(see first part of setup guide)​

 

Did you use to hear a single beep when booting?

Besides the obvious that you should dump XP for something secure before your system becomes a threat to the rest of us, the fact you are using XP indicates your hardware is very old. This could be the graphics solution failing or it could be a power issue. Remember, the PSU outputs 3 main voltages (+3.3VDC, +5VDC and +12VDC). Seeing fans spin does not prove all necessary voltages are present or within required tolerances. I would swap in another power supply before spending money on anything else.

But again, because of the obvious age of all the hardware in that system, it is very likely any fix will be temporary.

In the meantime, you need to immediately make sure you have a backup of any personal files you don't want to lose.

 

Baklogic & Digerati,
Thank you both for responding to my problem.

Baklogic,
Currently the monitor is plugged in with a blue vga plug connected to a white adapter as shown in the second photo from the left in the setting up your computer guide for step 1. Should I try the white cable instead? Regarding the graphics card, I am not very familiar with working inside a computer aside from periodic dust cleanings, but I am more than willing to try, I am just not sure where to start and don't understand the connections between the two graphic cards. Is the lead graphics card, the one the monitor cable is connected? I obtained the user manual for the GeForce series of cards and am reviewing it tonight.

Digerati,
No beeps upon powering the computer.
Thanks for the candid solid advice. I will be ordering a new machine this weekend. A character flaw of mine can be procrastination, in this case, continuing to use an old computer that still worked but now putting me in this predicament. I know with computers this is a poor practice. I was in the process of transferring all the files off this computer when this problem occurred. My goal is to move the remainder of files off and permanently retire this computer before another failure.

 

If you are getting a new computer, I suggest you pull the drive out of the old computer and install it temporarily as a secondary drive (NOT boot) in the new computer. Then (if lucky) you will be able to finish copying off old files to the new drive.

 

On the end with the white connection, just remove the white extention part, and you have the vga connection, then ,fit to the vga on the computer.
If you do not get a picture using the vga connection- check the cable both ends, and ensure good connection,- If all O.K otherwise, then,you may have a problem with screen itself.
You can still follow upon Digerati's suggestion, to copy files, if the screen works on vga connection

 

Just for future reference, there is no standard color coding for these connectors. While blue and white are often used, they are not required.

 

I was referring to the vga to dvi convertor piece, Digerati-perhaps I should have been more specific.

 

I understand you were talking about the one shown in your link. I am just pointing out that there is no industry standard for that. I have a VGA to DVI converter here that is totally black, except for the silver metal parts, for example. And another that is all white.

 

Digerati,

Thanks, that sounds like a plan. I will try that when the new machine arrives.

baklogic,

I removed the white extension piece but there is no compatible port on the computer to plug in. I also tried the DVI cable, with the same results as first reported. The monitor is receiving power and I can cycle thru the various input sources. When the computer is turned on, the monitor light is green, then after a little bit goes into power saving mode. I haven't done anything with the graphics card yet. I am not sure on to proceed on that.

 

The second picture on the setup guide shows a connection for vga.

 

I don't see any direct connection for a 15 point vga into the computer, only with the DVI adapter, which is what has always been used. Both inputs on the graphics card match the DVI. There is round S video input. The other card has a plastic cover over the inputs and both match the other card inputs.

 

I am sorry- I had to blow the picture up to see correctly-although it shows the cable having both- When magnified, I see it has only a DVI connection on the pc, itself.
I am afrai that if the screen works on another computer, it would appear that the dvi graphics card may have an issue- Have you tried in safe mode ?- F8, I believe, but might be different on the dell- just in case a driver update is causing graphics failure (Loads basic drivers only)

 

Its ok, no problem. I couldn't get the machine to boot into safe mode. I held down f8 with no success to view a screen. Am I doing that right? The monitor worked just fine with a blu ray player plugged in via the hdmi port.

 

I managed to download your manual, and have you looked at page 48-55- using s-video cables ?- could possibly test on a tv.......

If you remove the cover off the other card, and the connections are the same- why not try changing the cable to that one- It sounds like you have twin cards- perhaps one has developed a fault. Sometimes dual cards are connected by abridge cable inside the computer- maybe beyond your present ability.

 

I do have twin cards. There is a yellow vertical cable connecting the two. There is a cable labelled P3 to the card connecting to the monitor, a cable labelled P2 to the top card. The Physix has a connection with one yellow, 2 black, 1 red cords connected. Give me guidance and I will try.

Can I connect to the other card before addressing the abridge cable?

 

Baklogic,
I removed the cover and connected the monitor to the other card. The computer WILL boot up into windows! The resolution is way off, all the icons are gigantic. Check disk also ran. I think you are correct that there is a problem with card. There was a error for the NRAIDSERVICE.DLL.

 

Sorry, I have been off with a flu-type virus-
It may be worth rolling back the video driver - NVidia did get an odd buggy one, and XP is rather old.

 

No need for apology. Take care of your health. We can continue addressing this problem after you are well. In the mean time I will follow up on your suggestions.

 

Same results with the S cable connection. I couldn't roll back the Nvidia driver but I did find a slightly newer driver than the previously installed one. Same result, the machine will only boot when connected to the other outlet.

 

Looks like graphics cards need replacing, then -I would not hold my breath on just one of them.
I would follow Digerati's advice and get my data off, and if getting another computer, you can copy from it , or, use the old hard drive as a storage disc.

 

Baklogic and Digerati,

Thank you both for your assistance, very much apperciated. Once the new machine arrives I will get all the data off the old hard drive that I can.