Dell Dimension 4550 Keeps Rebooting

[Guest]

I first had this problem when I tried to do the first installation. When it
would get to the part of the setup in windows mode, it would just keep
rebooting. I was able to finally get it to finish installing, and it seemed
to be working fine, untill I tried to make sure all my drivers, applications,
and my cable internet conection were installed. Now when I turn it on it
will only run in windows for 30 seconds or less the reboot. it does this
coninuously.

 

[Michael T]

This behavior may occur if Windows throws a fatal error during a typical
operation or during the shutdown process. By default, the computer is
configured to automatically restart during a fatal error.

To view this setting, right-click My Computer , click the Advanced tab,
click Settings under Startup and Recovery , and then view the Automatically
restart check box under System Failure . If the Automatically restart check
box is selected, Windows automatically restarts if the computer stops
unexpectedly.

If you UNcheck this "Automatically restart", then you should see a fatal
error instead. You can then post the error message here and we may be able
to tell you what to do next.

There is also a handy web site regarding startup/shutdown problems.
http://aumha.org/win5/a/shtdwnxp.htm

 

[Guest]

I have already done this, and it still just continuously reboots.

 

[Michael T]

Then I would consider any (or all) of the following:

1) Use the Diagnostic CD-ROM that shipped with your Dell computer (Dimension
Resource CD)
2) Try Safe Mode (pressing F8 a few times while booting). Then scan for
viruses and spyware.
3) Check Device Manager for driver errors
4) Run System File Checker
Go to Start > Run and type
sfc /scannow
click OK
5) See if there are any errors in Event Viewer that might be helpful
Go to Start > Run and type
eventvwr.msc
click OK

Finally you may have to consider a Repair Install.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Hopefully you do not have a hardware problem.

 

[Guest]

I ran the diagnostic, it took a little over 2 days, but everything check out
good. I don't think there could be any viruses or spyware, both hard drives
were formatted, before I tried to install Windows XP Home. There were some
unknown devices with question marks. I don't think I can do the other two,
bacause Windows won't run long enough before it reboots to run anything.

 

[Michael T]

I ran the diagnostic, it took a little over 2 days, but everything check
out
good. I don't think there could be any viruses or spyware, both hard
drives
were formatted, before I tried to install Windows XP Home. There were
some
unknown devices with question marks. I don't think I can do the other
two,
bacause Windows won't run long enough before it reboots to run anything.

Then perhaps your best option is a Repair Install.
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
or
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/repaxp.htm

 

[Guest]

I just went ahead and did a format and reinstall. It seems to be working
fine now. I am however having a problem connecting to the internet. Win XP
recognized my cable modem (connected to USB), but when I open my internet
explorer it doesn't seem to be connecting.

 

[Guest]

I finnally had got my modem to work, I just had to reset my modem, but now
windows
keeps rebooting. I tried repairing windows, it just rebooted in the middle
of it. I then tried to just do a clean install, but it reboots during the
windows setup.

 

[Michael T]

My, my this has been a struggle for you huh?

I'm as puzzled as you and all I can think of is a possible hardware problem
such as memory or hard drive - or less likely - a bad driver (keyboard,
mouse, monitor) or perhaps a problem with the BIOS.

I might consider also posting at:

Please keep us posted and good luck.

 

[Michael T]

One other thing.

I seem to recall someone suggesting removing (i.e., disconnecting) all
unnecessary devices (printers, modems, faxes, etc.) until you can complete a
clean install.

Hope this helps.

 

[Guest]

Ijust put brand new RAM, and another hard drive, and I also did a thourogh
diagnostics that took a little over 2 days, and eveything checked out good.
It was actually working fine untill I tried getting my cable modem, and my
internet connection working. I ended up calling my ISP for help, and they
got my internet to work, but then it started rebooting again. I believe it's
a software, or driver problem (or I am hoping), but I am not sure what to
look for, or fix it if I did.

 

[Michael T]

Sometimes the gurus in this newsgroup can make sense out of the Stop Code
(or Stop Message). Assuming that you are unable to find any drivers flagged
as bad in Device Manager ( Start > Run and type devmgmt.msc).

But in order to generate a Stop Code, instead of a reboot, you need to make
the following change.

Right-click My Computer and select Properties.

Advanced (tab) > Startup and Recovery - Settings (button)

Now uncheck "Automatically restart" and click OK.

Now your computer will no longer reboot, but display an error message which
may also include a driver file name.

Please post back with the error message. Or anything that looks suspicious
in Event Viewer ( Start > Run and type eventvwr.msc).

Michael

P.S.
There is a list of Common Stop Messages at:
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/...Windows/XP/all/reskit/en-us/prmd_stp_tnvo.asp

 

[Michael T]

I just remembered that you claim to have already UNchecked "Automatically
restart".

If this is true (and you have double-checked this) then I am baffled as to
why you do not get a Stop Message. As I stated before perhaps there is
something in Event Viewer.

Or you have an entry under PROBLEM DEVICES.
Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Information.

Now expand the tree labeled Components. Then select Problem Devices.

My theory:
You may have problems with that new RAM. But this is just a wild guess - no
wager made.

 

[Guest]

In the device Manager there are a few unknown devices that have question mark
icons after them.

 

[Michael T]

What exactly do you mean by unknown device? And what type of device - Sound,
Disk drives, Network adapters, Ports, other?

What happens when you right click on one of them and select "Scan for
hardware changes"?

Anything in Event Viewer under Application or System with a red X?

 

[Michael T]

Who is your ISP?

Hopefully it is not Nero, as I just found this:
*************
For some reason, I think earlier versions of Nero did what you said (With
Unknown devices) in Device Manager.As soon as I updated Nero to 6.0.0.23 the
CDR and DVD went back to normal (Under DVD/DCD-ROM drives) in Device
Manager. At first I thought it was an update I had installed for XP. BUT no,
I don't think it had anything to do with XP updates.
BOTH the DVD and burner worked fine though, even when they were unknown
devices. Try getting the latest version of Nero and install
it. See if that fixes the unknown device prob.

************

 

[Guest]

It is just listed as unknown device. I'd check, but I can get it to finish
installing.

 

[Michael T]

How to troubleshoot unknown devices that are listed in Device Manager in
Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=314464

 

[Guest]

I don't have Nero on that computer. Can I troubleshhot without being able to
get into windows(before windows is installed)?
Actually, could that be the problem, I just tried to do a clean install,
that formats the hard drive first, so everything that was on there should be
gone?

 

[David Candy]

Now install all the dell drivers that came on CDs. You probably won't have any unknown left after that.