About to fix it with hammer

  • Thread starter Thread starter Conrad
  • Start date Start date
C

Conrad

I just configured a new computer system. In DOS, the computer runs happily
without any problems. However, as soon as I try to install Windows XP, the
damn thing constantly resets itself. In desperation, I tried to go with
Linux. Same problem.

I "have" changed out hard drive, memory and power supply. Don't ask why, I
don't know. Just desperate. I know it can't be that because everything is
fine in DOS. Are there any special BIOS settings I should concern myself
with? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance
 
Conrad said:
I just configured a new computer system. In DOS, the computer runs happily
without any problems. However, as soon as I try to install Windows XP, the
damn thing constantly resets itself. In desperation, I tried to go with
Linux. Same problem.

I "have" changed out hard drive, memory and power supply. Don't ask why, I
don't know. Just desperate. I know it can't be that because everything is
fine in DOS. Are there any special BIOS settings I should concern myself
with? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

Sounds like the processor is overheating.
 
bb said:
Sounds like the processor is overheating.
Click to expand...

I don't think so, it's operating at 40 deg. C All ventilation and fans
are working properly. CPU fan is at 5000 rpm Heat sink is the
recommended type.
 
Conrad said:
I just configured a new computer system. In DOS, the computer runs happily
without any problems. However, as soon as I try to install Windows XP, the
damn thing constantly resets itself. In desperation, I tried to go with
Linux. Same problem.

I "have" changed out hard drive, memory and power supply. Don't ask why, I
don't know. Just desperate. I know it can't be that because everything is
fine in DOS. Are there any special BIOS settings I should concern myself
with? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...
Dodgy memory.
 
Conrad said:
I just configured a new computer system. In DOS, the computer runs happily
without any problems. However, as soon as I try to install Windows XP, the
damn thing constantly resets itself. In desperation, I tried to go with
Linux. Same problem.

I "have" changed out hard drive, memory and power supply. Don't ask why, I
don't know. Just desperate. I know it can't be that because everything is
fine in DOS. Are there any special BIOS settings I should concern myself
with? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance
Click to expand...

Most likely a memory problem.

DOS doesn't use memory above 1 meg (640k without himem) so it would never
notice it.
 
Conrad said:
Conor said:
:-) Good possibility, haven't changed that yet. However, wouldn't the
RAM react similarly in DOS? I will check it out though.
Click to expand...

Depends on how intensively the DOS OS is being used. Windows often fails
when DOS doesn't because just booting Windows is more intense than anything
happening in DOS.

I suggest checking your memory w/ memtest-86 ( http://www.memtest86.com ),
run it through several cycles, even overnight if necesssary, just to make
sure it's ok. Memory errors can lead to all kinds of goofy behavior. It's
something EVERYONE should check when building a new PC, just as a matter of
course.

Jim
Click to expand...
 
I would make sure to run the BIOS w/ fail-safe defaults too, at least until
stable. These settings are very conservative.

Jim


 
Jim said:
I would make sure to run the BIOS w/ fail-safe defaults too, at least until
stable. These settings are very conservative.

Jim
Click to expand...

BIOS is in "fail-safe" also I am on pass 8 with memtest. So far no
faults. Thanks just the same for the memtest referral. Damn fine utility.
 
JAD said:
This sounds like a driver or funky sound hardware. What about safe mode?
Click to expand...

:-) safe mode is in the future somewhere. I can't even get the damn OS
installed. The computer reboots at the first instance if GUI on install.
 
oh ic so its the install routines GUI (if you want to call it that) that
ends your install. have you tried a different vidcard? install disk?
 
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