Computer locking up

[1lane]

After starting my computer, it runs for sereral minutes & then locks up.
Yesterday, I tried to install Vista SP3, it failed to install. The message I
got that it would revert the computer to where it was. I noticed all of my
settings weren't the same as before. This was yerterday morning & the
computer locked up for the first time last night. could this be the problem
or could it possibly be something else? I,ve tried System Restore at startup
& safe mode, but it won't stay running long enough.

Thanks

 

[Malke]

After starting my computer, it runs for sereral minutes & then locks up.
Yesterday, I tried to install Vista SP3, it failed to install. The message
I got that it would revert the computer to where it was. I noticed all of
my settings weren't the same as before. This was yerterday morning & the
computer locked up for the first time last night. could this be the
problem or could it possibly be something else? I,ve tried System Restore
at startup & safe mode, but it won't stay running long enough.

This sounds like a hardware problem, with the first suspect being
overheating.

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Hardware_Tshoot

Standard disclaimer: I can't see and test your computer myself, so these are
just suggestions based on many years of being a professional computer tech;
suggestions based on what you've written. You should not take my
suggestions as a definitive diagnosis. 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 professional computer repair shop (not your local
equivalent of BigComputerStore/GeekSquad). If possible, have all your data
backed up before you take the machine into a shop.

Malke

 

[Karl Snooks]

I tried to install Vista SP3

Interesting, interesting, very interesting. I must have slept thru a couple
of service packs.

karl

 

[1lane]

I've tried working memory & a working video card. On startup, I get 1 long
and 2 short beeps. Also, it won't even go into the bios check most of the
time.

 

[Malke]

I've tried working memory & a working video card. On startup, I get 1 long
and 2 short beeps. Also, it won't even go into the bios check most of the
time.

I don't know how to interpret this post. Are you asking a question or adding
to the general information about your computer? You most definitely have a
hardware problem. If it won't even get through the POST, this has nothing
to do with Windows. You have to be thorough in your troubleshooting and I
can't tell from this what else you've done. You know your skill level best
and can decide if you really should be taking it into a shop or not.

Malke

 

[1lane]

When the problem first started, it would boot into windows, work for several
minutes & lock up. Now I can't get past post, 1 long, 2 short beeps. I had
the memory checked, moved it to different slots, tried new memory chip. I put
in a workable video card, also. Ihave everything disconnected except the hard
drive & video card. According the the BIOS website, the beep sequence says
bad memory. Could something happened to the motherboard & is there a way to
get it tested?

 

[Malke]

When the problem first started, it would boot into windows, work for
several minutes & lock up. Now I can't get past post, 1 long, 2 short
beeps. I had the memory checked, moved it to different slots, tried new
memory chip. I put in a workable video card, also. Ihave everything
disconnected except the hard drive & video card. According the the BIOS
website, the beep sequence says bad memory. Could something happened to
the motherboard & is there a way to get it tested?

You "had the memory tested". What does that mean? If you used something like
Memtest86+ (www.memtest.org) or the like and allowed the test to run for an
extended time and it passed but are you're still getting the failures, then
yes of course some other component (quite possibly the motherboard) is bad.

If the machine is still under warranty, call the OEM's tech support for
repair/replacement. Otherwise you need to take the machine to a competent
local computer repair shop.

Malke