repeated restart during post?

[Nicholas Scott]

I recently I switched off power to my machine before leaving for a week
long trip. (The machine was working fine before.) Now on my return, the
machine will not start-up. Here is the sequence:

The first time I power up, the machine gives the single post beep(which
is correct) does the memory check, continues through the post.
Sometimes it may make it to the windows start up, but usually before it
can get to Windows there is a powered restart like if the reset or power
button was pressed. On each restart, it gets less and through the
start-up process until it is in a restart loop and does not even get to
start up memory test. This really seems like some sort of power
problem. Any thoughts or suggestions?

AMD xp2500
Win XP Home
Leadtek KNCR18D Pro 2
SATA 120 gig
512 mb

 

[Nicholas Scott]

In addition, I previously had some restarts due to what I think was a
heat problem. Monitoring the Temp it seemed like the machine gset hot ,
shut down and restart.According to the software Hmonitor the CPU temp
was fine, it was the mobo that was hot.

 

[JK]

Windows usually works best if it is shut down at least once a week. I prefer
shutting it down once a day. Can you boot okay to Windows in safe mode?
If so, try defragging your hard drive in safe mode. See if that helps. If it is
a heat problem, it probably wouldn't strike so soon, unless it is an extreme
heat problem. It is more likely a Windows issue if you haven't shut the
machine down for a long time before you shut it down. It might be a power or
power supply problem.

 

[~misfit~]

Windows usually works best if it is shut down at least once a week. I
prefer shutting it down once a day. Can you boot okay to Windows in
safe mode?
If so, try defragging your hard drive in safe mode. See if that
helps. If it is a heat problem, it probably wouldn't strike so soon,
unless it is an extreme heat problem. It is more likely a Windows
issue if you haven't shut the machine down for a long time before
you shut it down. It might be a power or power supply problem.

How in God's name can it be a Windows issue if it doesn't even get out of
the POST sequence, yet alone start to load Windows.

Don't give up your day-job.

 

[Nicholas Scott]

This system came in the cheap cheesy case with the illuminated "bubble"
side columns. On restarting it the lights just died. Is this a problem
of the power supply or are these lights runn throught the motherboard?

 

[kony]

This system came in the cheap cheesy case with the illuminated "bubble"
side columns. On restarting it the lights just died. Is this a problem
of the power supply or are these lights runn throught the motherboard?

A case like this?
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=11-156-117&depa=0

IIRC, their bubble lights use 4 LEDs, at top and bottom of each
filled tube, connected to PSU 5V rail though an adapter +
resistor. If you'd disturbed the adapter wires (or they frayed,
shorted out some how) that might prevent system running and kill
the lights.

However, if you're using the original PSU that often comes with
those cases, often labeled as 350W Raidmax (or other generic
name/label), the power supply is likely a problem and should be
replaced with decent name-brand unit... 350W name-brand is
probably sufficient, the Raidmax's true output potential was
nowhere near 350W.

 

[Ken]

I recently I switched off power to my machine before leaving for a week
long trip. (The machine was working fine before.) Now on my return, the
machine will not start-up. Here is the sequence:

The first time I power up, the machine gives the single post beep(which
is correct) does the memory check, continues through the post.
Sometimes it may make it to the windows start up, but usually before it
can get to Windows there is a powered restart like if the reset or power
button was pressed. On each restart, it gets less and through the
start-up process until it is in a restart loop and does not even get to
start up memory test. This really seems like some sort of power
problem. Any thoughts or suggestions?

Replace your power supply.
A more powerful PSU around 400W.