Cant access XP Pro normal/safe/last good config

[abd08]

Hi all,

I have a PC at work which I did a clean install of XP Pro on a few
weeks ago. It has been used very infrequently only by me, for non-
internet purposes (so no viruses/spyware etc for sure - and I am the
only person with access to this office).

Yesterday morning I came into work to find that one of my PCs did not
power on at all. The following happened (in order):

1. Switched PSU off from back, turned it on again - no result
2. Unplugged and re-plugged power cable in case it was loose - no
result
3. Switch power cable for another one - the PC powers on

- NOTE : The "faulty" cable works on another PC - and I'm not crazy!
=)

4. When PC powers on, get an error message saying BIOS config not set.
Upon entering BIOS, date is 2003 etc as if someone had completely
reset the BIOS.
5. Entered the basic details (date etc) and turned on PC - everything
worked

6. Yesterday, night, tried to shut-down, but after shutting down, the
computer powered itself on again after about 3 or 4 seconds. Tested
and re-tested this - in the end, I waited for it to power off, and
then turned it off from the power switch on the back of the PSU

7. Finally, this morning came in and turned it on again - system wont
go into windows normally, or into safe mode, or into last known good
configuration. Each time, it just reboots itself.

What would be the logical order to proceed in order to correct this
problem? My gut tells me to check out the PSU first, but I am not
aware/sure if the PSU can be responsible for the reset command.

Thanks in advance,
Raj

 

[abd08]

Sorry, forgot to add, disabling automatic restart on system failure
didn't help

Thanks!
Raj

 

[Pegasus \(MVP\)]

Hi all,

I have a PC at work which I did a clean install of XP Pro on a few
weeks ago. It has been used very infrequently only by me, for non-
internet purposes (so no viruses/spyware etc for sure - and I am the
only person with access to this office).

Yesterday morning I came into work to find that one of my PCs did not
power on at all. The following happened (in order):

1. Switched PSU off from back, turned it on again - no result
2. Unplugged and re-plugged power cable in case it was loose - no
result
3. Switch power cable for another one - the PC powers on

- NOTE : The "faulty" cable works on another PC - and I'm not crazy!
=)

4. When PC powers on, get an error message saying BIOS config not set.
Upon entering BIOS, date is 2003 etc as if someone had completely
reset the BIOS.
5. Entered the basic details (date etc) and turned on PC - everything
worked

6. Yesterday, night, tried to shut-down, but after shutting down, the
computer powered itself on again after about 3 or 4 seconds. Tested
and re-tested this - in the end, I waited for it to power off, and
then turned it off from the power switch on the back of the PSU

7. Finally, this morning came in and turned it on again - system wont
go into windows normally, or into safe mode, or into last known good
configuration. Each time, it just reboots itself.

What would be the logical order to proceed in order to correct this
problem? My gut tells me to check out the PSU first, but I am not
aware/sure if the PSU can be responsible for the reset command.

Thanks in advance,
Raj

You posted your question in a Windows newsgroup but from
your description it would appear that the problem has nothing
at all to do with Windows. I would try a hardware newsgroup.

 

[Mick Murphy]

1. If your power cable works, change PSU to test original PSU.
2. If BIOS date has changed back to 2003, change the trickle feed coin sized
battery in the motherboard, as that is a sign that that is flat.

3. If you always leave your computer on at the power point, I would say
trickle feed battery flat for a while; PSU, or cable failed, causing main
prob.

 

[abd08]

You posted your question in a Windows newsgroup but from
your description it would appear that the problem has nothing
at all to do with Windows. I would try a hardware newsgroup.

Mmm... well, if the system is rebooting during the windows startup
process, then surely windows must be playing some part in it? I have
left the screen at the F8 menu, and the system hasn't restarted itself
for a good hour now.

 

[M.I.5¾]

Hi all,

I have a PC at work which I did a clean install of XP Pro on a few
weeks ago. It has been used very infrequently only by me, for non-
internet purposes (so no viruses/spyware etc for sure - and I am the
only person with access to this office).

Yesterday morning I came into work to find that one of my PCs did not
power on at all. The following happened (in order):

1. Switched PSU off from back, turned it on again - no result
2. Unplugged and re-plugged power cable in case it was loose - no
result
3. Switch power cable for another one - the PC powers on

- NOTE : The "faulty" cable works on another PC - and I'm not crazy!
=)

4. When PC powers on, get an error message saying BIOS config not set.
Upon entering BIOS, date is 2003 etc as if someone had completely
reset the BIOS.
5. Entered the basic details (date etc) and turned on PC - everything
worked

6. Yesterday, night, tried to shut-down, but after shutting down, the
computer powered itself on again after about 3 or 4 seconds. Tested
and re-tested this - in the end, I waited for it to power off, and
then turned it off from the power switch on the back of the PSU

7. Finally, this morning came in and turned it on again - system wont
go into windows normally, or into safe mode, or into last known good
configuration. Each time, it just reboots itself.

What would be the logical order to proceed in order to correct this
problem? My gut tells me to check out the PSU first, but I am not
aware/sure if the PSU can be responsible for the reset command.

It sounds as though the BIOS battery is flat. This is usually a small coin
sized battery mounted on the motherboard somwhere. It is usually a type
CR2032, but yours may vary. Disconnect the mains and then remove the old
battery. Wait about a quarter of an hour or so before inserting the new
one.

 

[abd08]

It sounds as though the BIOS battery is flat.  This is usually a small coin
sized battery mounted on the motherboard somwhere.  It is usually a type
CR2032, but yours may vary.  Disconnect the mains and then remove the old
battery.  Wait about a quarter of an hour or so before inserting the new
one.

Thanks for the input, will give it a try and let you know how I get on
tm.

Thanks again,
Raj

 

[HeyBub]

Hi all,

I have a PC at work which I did a clean install of XP Pro on a few
weeks ago. It has been used very infrequently only by me, for non-
internet purposes (so no viruses/spyware etc for sure - and I am the
only person with access to this office).

Yesterday morning I came into work to find that one of my PCs did not
power on at all. The following happened (in order):

1. Switched PSU off from back, turned it on again - no result
2. Unplugged and re-plugged power cable in case it was loose - no
result
3. Switch power cable for another one - the PC powers on

- NOTE : The "faulty" cable works on another PC - and I'm not crazy!
=)

4. When PC powers on, get an error message saying BIOS config not set.
Upon entering BIOS, date is 2003 etc as if someone had completely
reset the BIOS.
5. Entered the basic details (date etc) and turned on PC - everything
worked

6. Yesterday, night, tried to shut-down, but after shutting down, the
computer powered itself on again after about 3 or 4 seconds. Tested
and re-tested this - in the end, I waited for it to power off, and
then turned it off from the power switch on the back of the PSU

7. Finally, this morning came in and turned it on again - system wont
go into windows normally, or into safe mode, or into last known good
configuration. Each time, it just reboots itself.

What would be the logical order to proceed in order to correct this
problem? My gut tells me to check out the PSU first, but I am not
aware/sure if the PSU can be responsible for the reset command.

Follow these steps in exactly the order specified:

1. Replace the motherboard's battery.

If the battery fails, the CMOS reverts to its factory settings. These
setting could include "Boot from water fountain" or somesuch. After powering
on the computer, and finally getting it to run, the battery could retain
sufficient charge to limp along for any (relatively) short period with the
power off. That may be why conditions seem confusing.

 

[Bob I]

While replacing the CMOS battery (as also suggested by others) please
look at the electrolitic capactitors on the motherboard for signs of
bulging, distended bottoms, or leakage.