sixfoottwo wrote:
> I have a good spec Dell 8400 Dimension, purchased last August.
>
> The PC always fails to boot first time - there have been numerous
> BSOD's, and sometimes there have been drive not found error messages.
>
> I once had to clear the hard drive and reinstall everything after a
> particular BSOD prevented Windows XP loading.
>
> I have run the Dell Diagnostics, which shows no errors. Any ideas as
> to
> what may be causing the problem? Is it possible that a particular
> piece of hardware needs to be warmed up, could there be conflict
> problems in the software loaded - help or suggestions to cure the
> problem would be much appreciated.
>
> I have kept notes of some of the BSOD messages, but not all if these
> would
> be useful
My guess is bad hardware. I'd look at the power supply and the RAM. I've
had plenty of clients' Dells where the Dell diagnostics came out OK but
the RAM was really bad. Here are general hardware troubleshooting steps
using non-Dell diagnostics:
1) Open the computer and run it open, cleaning out all dust bunnies and
observing all fans (overheating will cause system freezing). Obviously
you can't do this with a laptop, but you can hear if the fan is running
and feel if the laptop is getting too hot.
2) Test the RAM - I like Memtest86+ from
www.memtest.org. Obviously, you
have to get the program from a working machine. You will either
download the precompiled Windows binary to make a bootable floppy or
the .iso to make a bootable cd. If you want to use the latter, you'll
need to have third-party burning software on the machine where you
download the file - XP's built-in burning capability won't do the job.
In either case, boot with the media you made. The test will run
immediately. Let the test run for an extended period of time - unless
errors are seen immediately. If you get any errors, replace the RAM.
3) Test the hard drive with a diagnostic utility from the mftr. Usually
you will download the file and make a bootable floppy with it. Boot
with the media and do a thorough test. If the drive has physical
errors, replace it.
4) The power supply may be going bad or be inadequate for the devices
you have in the system. The adequacy issue doesn't really apply to a
laptop, although of course the power
supply can be faulty.
5) Test the motherboard with something like TuffTest from
www.tufftest.com. Sometimes this is useful, and sometimes it isn't.
Testing hardware failures often involves swapping out suspected parts
with known-good parts. If you can't do the testing yourself and/or are
uncomfortable opening your computer, take the machine to a good local
computer repair shop (not a CompUSA or Best Buy type of store).
Mlake
--
MS MVP - Windows Shell/User
www.elephantboycomputers.com
In Memoriam - MVP Alex Nichol
The world is diminished without him.
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