I have a problem with my computer. My computer is a year old and has been
working fine until this morning. I turned on the computer and it goes through
the Power On Self Test and then right before it's supposed to start loading
Windows XP the computer resets and starts the process all over again. It will
keep repeating this process until I turn the computer off. If I press F8 it
will still ask me a bunch of startup options, including Safe Mode, but no
matter what option I select the computer will instantly restart and repeat
the process.

Can anyone help me with this?

By the way, someone in another forum suggested reseating the RAM and trying
each of the RAM sticks by itself. I tried it and nothing changed.

Gactimus wrote:

> I have a problem with my computer. My computer is a year old and has
> been working fine until this morning. I turned on the computer and it
> goes through the Power On Self Test and then right before it's
> supposed to start loading Windows XP the computer resets and starts
> the process all over again. It will keep repeating this process until
> I turn the computer off. If I press F8 it will still ask me a bunch of
> startup options, including Safe Mode, but no matter what option I
> select the computer will instantly restart and repeat the process.
>
> Can anyone help me with this?
>
> By the way, someone in another forum suggested reseating the RAM and
> trying each of the RAM sticks by itself. I tried it and nothing
> changed.

Since the failure occurs before the operating system can load, you
probably have hardware failures. Here are general hardware
troubleshooting steps:

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.memtest86.com - let the test
run for an extended (like overnight) period of time - unless errors are
seen immediately.

3) Test the hard drive with a diagnostic utility from the mftr.

4) The power supply may be going bad or be inadequate for the devices
you have in the system - this isn't applicable to a laptop, of course.

5) Test the motherboard with something like TuffTest from
www.tufftest.com.

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).

Malke
--
MS MVP - Windows Shell/User
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"

Malke <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
news:(E-Mail Removed):

> Gactimus wrote:
>
>> I have a problem with my computer. My computer is a year old and has
>> been working fine until this morning. I turned on the computer and it
>> goes through the Power On Self Test and then right before it's
>> supposed to start loading Windows XP the computer resets and starts
>> the process all over again. It will keep repeating this process until
>> I turn the computer off. If I press F8 it will still ask me a bunch of
>> startup options, including Safe Mode, but no matter what option I
>> select the computer will instantly restart and repeat the process.
>>
>> Can anyone help me with this?
>>
>> By the way, someone in another forum suggested reseating the RAM and
>> trying each of the RAM sticks by itself. I tried it and nothing
>> changed.
>
> Since the failure occurs before the operating system can load, you
> probably have hardware failures. Here are general hardware
> troubleshooting steps:
>
> 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.

The computer is a desktop.

Malke <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
news:(E-Mail Removed):

> Gactimus wrote:
>
>> I have a problem with my computer. My computer is a year old and has
>> been working fine until this morning. I turned on the computer and it
>> goes through the Power On Self Test and then right before it's
>> supposed to start loading Windows XP the computer resets and starts
>> the process all over again. It will keep repeating this process until
>> I turn the computer off. If I press F8 it will still ask me a bunch of
>> startup options, including Safe Mode, but no matter what option I
>> select the computer will instantly restart and repeat the process.
>>
>> Can anyone help me with this?
>>
>> By the way, someone in another forum suggested reseating the RAM and
>> trying each of the RAM sticks by itself. I tried it and nothing
>> changed.
>
> Since the failure occurs before the operating system can load, you
> probably have hardware failures. Here are general hardware
> troubleshooting steps:
>
> 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.memtest86.com - let the test
> run for an extended (like overnight) period of time - unless errors are
> seen immediately.
>
> 3) Test the hard drive with a diagnostic utility from the mftr.
>
> 4) The power supply may be going bad or be inadequate for the devices
> you have in the system - this isn't applicable to a laptop, of course.
>
> 5) Test the motherboard with something like TuffTest from
> www.tufftest.com.
>
> 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).

Alright, I turned on the computer to try some of your suggestions but now
the fans turn on but nothing else happens. The monitor doesn't turn on, no
beeps, nothing at all.

On Wed, 01 Dec 2004 17:09:05 -0800, Gactimus <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>Malke <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
>news:(E-Mail Removed):
>
>> Gactimus wrote:
>>
>>> I have a problem with my computer. My computer is a year old and has
>>> been working fine until this morning. I turned on the computer and it
>>> goes through the Power On Self Test and then right before it's
>>> supposed to start loading Windows XP the computer resets and starts
>>> the process all over again. It will keep repeating this process until
>>> I turn the computer off. If I press F8 it will still ask me a bunch of
>>> startup options, including Safe Mode, but no matter what option I
>>> select the computer will instantly restart and repeat the process.
>>>
>>> Can anyone help me with this?
>>>
>>> By the way, someone in another forum suggested reseating the RAM and
>>> trying each of the RAM sticks by itself. I tried it and nothing
>>> changed.
>>
>> Since the failure occurs before the operating system can load, you
>> probably have hardware failures. Here are general hardware
>> troubleshooting steps:
>>
>> 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.memtest86.com - let the test
>> run for an extended (like overnight) period of time - unless errors are
>> seen immediately.
>>
>> 3) Test the hard drive with a diagnostic utility from the mftr.
>>
>> 4) The power supply may be going bad or be inadequate for the devices
>> you have in the system - this isn't applicable to a laptop, of course.
>>
>> 5) Test the motherboard with something like TuffTest from
>> www.tufftest.com.
>>
>> 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).
>
>Alright, I turned on the computer to try some of your suggestions but now
>the fans turn on but nothing else happens. The monitor doesn't turn on, no
>beeps, nothing at all.

Look at number 4 posted by Malke. Your power supply probably has
gone south, try replacing it. If you do not have the ability or
inclination to replace the supply, take it to a good repair shop as
she has suggested. Good luck.

Gactimus wrote:
> Malke <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
> news:(E-Mail Removed):
>
>
>>Gactimus wrote:
>>
>>
>>>I have a problem with my computer. My computer is a year old and has
>>>been working fine until this morning. I turned on the computer and it
>>>goes through the Power On Self Test and then right before it's
>>>supposed to start loading Windows XP the computer resets and starts
>>>the process all over again. It will keep repeating this process until
>>>I turn the computer off. If I press F8 it will still ask me a bunch of
>>>startup options, including Safe Mode, but no matter what option I
>>>select the computer will instantly restart and repeat the process.
>>>
>>>Can anyone help me with this?
>>>
>>>By the way, someone in another forum suggested reseating the RAM and
>>>trying each of the RAM sticks by itself. I tried it and nothing
>>>changed.
>>
>>Since the failure occurs before the operating system can load, you
>>probably have hardware failures. Here are general hardware
>>troubleshooting steps:
>>
>>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.memtest86.com - let the test
>>run for an extended (like overnight) period of time - unless errors are
>>seen immediately.
>>
>>3) Test the hard drive with a diagnostic utility from the mftr.
>>
>>4) The power supply may be going bad or be inadequate for the devices
>>you have in the system - this isn't applicable to a laptop, of course.
>>
>>5) Test the motherboard with something like TuffTest from
>>www.tufftest.com.
>>
>>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).
>
>
> Alright, I turned on the computer to try some of your suggestions but now
> the fans turn on but nothing else happens. The monitor doesn't turn on, no
> beeps, nothing at all.

Call the tech support for the manufacturer of the computer and/or take
it in to a reputable repair shop.

Lizzy Lou wrote:

> Malke <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
> news:(E-Mail Removed):

> The computer is a desktop.

As I stated, these are general troubleshooting steps. If the computer is
a desktop, then the step is to open the computer and test as suggested.

Malke
--
MS MVP - Windows Shell/User
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"

CS <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
news:(E-Mail Removed):

> On Wed, 01 Dec 2004 17:09:05 -0800, Gactimus <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>> Malke <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
>> news:(E-Mail Removed):
>>
>>> Gactimus wrote:
>>>
>>>> I have a problem with my computer. My computer is a year old and has
>>>> been working fine until this morning. I turned on the computer and it
>>>> goes through the Power On Self Test and then right before it's
>>>> supposed to start loading Windows XP the computer resets and starts
>>>> the process all over again. It will keep repeating this process until
>>>> I turn the computer off. If I press F8 it will still ask me a bunch
>>>> of startup options, including Safe Mode, but no matter what option I
>>>> select the computer will instantly restart and repeat the process.
>>>>
>>>> Can anyone help me with this?
>>>>
>>>> By the way, someone in another forum suggested reseating the RAM and
>>>> trying each of the RAM sticks by itself. I tried it and nothing
>>>> changed.
>>>
>>> Since the failure occurs before the operating system can load, you
>>> probably have hardware failures. Here are general hardware
>>> troubleshooting steps:
>>>
>>> 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.memtest86.com - let the
>>> test run for an extended (like overnight) period of time - unless
>>> errors are seen immediately.
>>>
>>> 3) Test the hard drive with a diagnostic utility from the mftr.
>>>
>>> 4) The power supply may be going bad or be inadequate for the devices
>>> you have in the system - this isn't applicable to a laptop, of course.
>>>
>>> 5) Test the motherboard with something like TuffTest from
>>> www.tufftest.com.
>>>
>>> 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).
>>
>> Alright, I turned on the computer to try some of your suggestions but
>> now the fans turn on but nothing else happens. The monitor doesn't turn
>> on, no beeps, nothing at all.
>
> Look at number 4 posted by Malke. Your power supply probably has
> gone south, try replacing it. If you do not have the ability or
> inclination to replace the supply, take it to a good repair shop as
> she has suggested. Good luck.

I'm hoping that's the problem. Hopefully that will work. I guess I'll go
pick one up tomorrow.

In the worst case your going to have to re-install XP. And that will mean
lossing your user files. So DON"T DO ANYTHING UNTIL YOU"VE THOUGHT ABOUT IT.

I had a similar experience a few day ago, but that was because I'd changed
the motherboard. XP doesn't accept changes of the HDD (System Volume) or the
Motherboard without complaining. I was expecting a "too many hardware
changes" type message but only got into the loop you found.

I suggest as a minimum you do the following.

Get a start-up floppy from a previous version of Windows. Win 95, 98 etc.
boot from this on start-up. (You may need to go into BIOS to change the Boot
sequence.) Then attempt to access the C: drive from the A: prompt. You should
be able to see the directory structures by doing a DIR. If the C: drive is
not accessible, check that the BIOS is recognising it. A failed HDD (Crive)
may be your problem. If you can get access to the C: drive, you must get you
user data off this before proceeding. If your computer has two HDDs and BIOS
can see both, you may be able to copy data from one to the other. (Use the
Copy command in DOS) Otherwise, the best plan would be to get, or borrow,
another HDD and install this in your machine. You can then install XP on this
and then Phone Microsoft to get it re-activated. (Make sure you get the
Master/Slave the right way round and/or set the boot partition correctly.)
Once done you can pick up the user files (My Documents) from the other drive.

The important thing is. If you existing drive is OK, so are your user files
(My Documents) Don't try to re-install XP before getting this data off. XP
will format your HDD (deleting all the user files) if you try to re-install
it.

Because you can't access XP, you can't make a back-up (.bkf) file. which is
what you should have been doing regularly anyway, but most people don't.

Hope this helps. Don't panic. Don't act without thinking. Good luck :-)

"Gactimus" wrote:

> CS <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
> news:(E-Mail Removed):
>
> > On Wed, 01 Dec 2004 17:09:05 -0800, Gactimus <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> >
> >> Malke <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
> >> news:(E-Mail Removed):
> >>
> >>> Gactimus wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> I have a problem with my computer. My computer is a year old and has
> >>>> been working fine until this morning. I turned on the computer and it
> >>>> goes through the Power On Self Test and then right before it's
> >>>> supposed to start loading Windows XP the computer resets and starts
> >>>> the process all over again. It will keep repeating this process until
> >>>> I turn the computer off. If I press F8 it will still ask me a bunch
> >>>> of startup options, including Safe Mode, but no matter what option I
> >>>> select the computer will instantly restart and repeat the process.
> >>>>
> >>>> Can anyone help me with this?
> >>>>
> >>>> By the way, someone in another forum suggested reseating the RAM and
> >>>> trying each of the RAM sticks by itself. I tried it and nothing
> >>>> changed.
> >>>
> >>> Since the failure occurs before the operating system can load, you
> >>> probably have hardware failures. Here are general hardware
> >>> troubleshooting steps:
> >>>
> >>> 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.memtest86.com - let the
> >>> test run for an extended (like overnight) period of time - unless
> >>> errors are seen immediately.
> >>>
> >>> 3) Test the hard drive with a diagnostic utility from the mftr.
> >>>
> >>> 4) The power supply may be going bad or be inadequate for the devices
> >>> you have in the system - this isn't applicable to a laptop, of course.
> >>>
> >>> 5) Test the motherboard with something like TuffTest from
> >>> www.tufftest.com.
> >>>
> >>> 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).
> >>
> >> Alright, I turned on the computer to try some of your suggestions but
> >> now the fans turn on but nothing else happens. The monitor doesn't turn
> >> on, no beeps, nothing at all.
> >
> > Look at number 4 posted by Malke. Your power supply probably has
> > gone south, try replacing it. If you do not have the ability or
> > inclination to replace the supply, take it to a good repair shop as
> > she has suggested. Good luck.
>
> I'm hoping that's the problem. Hopefully that will work. I guess I'll go
> pick one up tomorrow.
>

Yes. The PSU may be the problem, but it could also be your BIOS/Motherboard.
Did the HDD and Floppy/CD spin up?

Again. Unless you not bothered about the data on your computer, disconnect
the HDD before you do or change anything else, and don't reconnect it (power
or data) until you've got the thing to get through its BIOS checks. You only
need power, keyboard and Monitor connected for this.