Occasion start-up problem

[Ed Y]

I've got a 5 year old XP SP2 Home system that has never given me one bit of
problems except for a fan replacement. Just recently when powering up (I
live in rural MS and due to power problems, I don't leave the thing on at
night), sometimes the start-up process hangs when the XP msg "loading your
personal settings" comes on the screen. I've let it go as long as 20 minutes
(normally only takes less than a minute) and nothing happens. I can hear the
HD work for a second or two, then stop, then do it again 5-6 seconds later.
It just repeats this process. I've run ChkDsk, defrag with nothing weird
showing.

Anything else I might look for??

Thanks for any help,

Ed

 

[Malke]

I've got a 5 year old XP SP2 Home system that has never given me one bit of
problems except for a fan replacement. Just recently when powering up (I
live in rural MS and due to power problems, I don't leave the thing on at
night), sometimes the start-up process hangs when the XP msg "loading your
personal settings" comes on the screen. I've let it go as long as 20 minutes
(normally only takes less than a minute) and nothing happens. I can hear the
HD work for a second or two, then stop, then do it again 5-6 seconds later.
It just repeats this process. I've run ChkDsk, defrag with nothing weird
showing.

Your machine is having hardware problems. The first thing I would do is
replace the power supply. The second thing I would do is run a hard
drive diagnostic. See this for other general hardware troubleshooting steps:

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

Actually the very first thing I'd do is make sure all your data is
safely backed up onto some sort of removable media - external hard
drive, CD/DVD, etc.

Malke

 

[Guest]

I have found "hanging" windows is usually the sign a HD or memory stick is
going bad (or both). run memtest too ... http://www.memtest.org

 

[Ed Y]

Thanks for the replies. I've run memtest (4 passes) with no errors. Also ran
"HD Tune" and no problems there. This is a Dell so I'm probably gonna have
to go to them to get a power supply. I may just wait until complete failure.
I backup with Acronis True Image so I got that covered.

Ed

 

[Guest]

If you have power problems as you say -- get a UPS to help steady the problem
power.

 

[w_tom]

Thanks for the replies. I've run memtest (4 passes) with no errors. Also ran
"HD Tune" and no problems there. This is a Dell so I'm probably gonna have
to go to them to get a power supply. I may just wait until complete failure.
I backup with Acronis True Image so I got that covered.

Defective memory can be undetected if Memtst is not executed at
pig's heaven normal temperatures such as when memory is uncomfortable
to touch. Hairdryer on highest heat is an excellent tool for putting
memory closer to a normal max temperature - then run Memtst again.

Meanwhile, a problem is seen before fixing it. Replacing a power
supply only on speculation is called shotgunning. However if the
power supply if failing, then numbers from a 3.5 digit multimeter will
make that obvious now. Simply run the system with all peripherals
being accessed. Multitask. Run a movie (so that DVD, complex
graphics, sound card are accessed simultaneously), have another
Windows constantly read from hard drive, while IE is accessing the
network interface. While all these are executing, then measure
voltages on any one of purple, orange, red, and yellow wires. Those
numbers must exceed 3.23, 4.87, and 11.7. If not, then a suspect is
identified. If OK, then power supply is OK = move on to other
suspects.

Remember, heat is a diagnostic tool. 100% defective hardware that
works fine in a 70 degree F room may fail in a 100 degree room. A
hairdryer on high does same analysis selectively.

Of course, you have already reviewed the system (event) logs,
reviewed Device Manager, and run the system comprehensive diagnostic
(also using heat). Dell provides those diagnostics for free both on
disk and on their web site. If disk drive is failing, then those
failures are recored in system logs. Collect facts before replacing
anything.