intermittent boot freeze

[krcmd1]

Recently have developed a strange problem:

intermittently, the computer freezes during boot, before XP loads. This
has happened about 20-30 times in the past three weeks, about 1/4 boot
attempts. Memory checking and HDD checking programs (booting from CD) have
found no problems there. Throughout this experience, there have been no
problesm once windows has launched. In fact, once the HDD light flickers,
there will be no problem.

On the other hand, sometimes the freeze occurs within the BIOS setup program.

I'm hoping this isn't MB.

Thanks for your help.

 

[Bill Blanton]

Recently have developed a strange problem:

intermittently, the computer freezes during boot, before XP loads. This
has happened about 20-30 times in the past three weeks, about 1/4 boot
attempts. Memory checking and HDD checking programs (booting from CD) have
found no problems there. Throughout this experience, there have been no
problesm once windows has launched. In fact, once the HDD light flickers,
there will be no problem.

On the other hand, sometimes the freeze occurs within the BIOS setup program.

That alone points more towards a hardware problem. The fact that it's intermittent
makes it difficult to test, let alone with software tools. I'd guess,, it's not the HDD, as
the HDD isn't needed to boot the BIOS.

You might try reseating the RAM modules, check for any corrosion on the contacts.
If more than one module, remove/swap then test / etc.

Check/reseat all other MB <-> device connections. (Blow out the dust bunnies.)
Eyeball the MB for leaking/bulging capacitors. A flakey PSU is another possibility.
You might want to swap test with a another.

I'm hoping this isn't MB.

That is always a possibility.

 

[JS]

You might consider replacing the CMOS battery on the motherboard.

A battery near the end of it's life could cause BIOS problems and
it turn the PC could fail to boot.

JS

 

[krcmd1]

Thank you. How is the hardware/programs different before windows launches?
Am I wrong to think that this might be a bios program or DOS or interrupt
problem? For example, last night I booted PC Doctor from CD. It was running
fine, for about an hour, but then it wouldn't respond later to keyboard
command to stop the PCDoctor.

How does a hardware problem fit with this?

Never a problem once Windows is running.

 

[Bob I]

How old is the motherboard? maybe bad capacitors if it is 2000-2002 or so.

 

[krcmd1]

delivered by IBM 2004

How old is the motherboard? maybe bad capacitors if it is 2000-2002 or so.

 

[Bill Blanton]

The fact that it freezes randomly, and within different boot axis,
(Windows loading, BIOS setup, PCDoc booted to CD) very strongly
suggests hardware.

BTW, what do you mean by "freeze"? If the only problem is not being
able to use the keyboard, then swapping that out would be a good
starting point.

 

[krcmd1]

Bravely opened it up, swapped the two memory cards, tested the cmos
battery(it's OK), and blew out major league dust bunnies from the air intake
manifold.

Too soon to know if that will make a difference.