Startup Windows XP repeats but no bootup

[Guest]

I've taken an older computer (DELL, 400mhz, 328RAM) and am putting it back
into service as a music server. The HD that was in it was working fine and I
removed it 1 year ago and made it an external slave to hold files. I did not
touch Windows or remove any files from it. Now, I'm putting it back into the
computer to become the master drive again. The switches are correctly set for
master drive again.

When I boot it up, the HD begins checking itself, is recognized, then just
when the black Windows splash screen should be coming up, I get a DOS message
offering the bootup for safe, safe with CD drive, boot as normal, etc. No
matter which choice I choose, it begins to load windows, the black Windows
splash screen comes up and everything looks normal and the green "load
activity" bar moves at the bottom. About 10 seconds into loading, a blue
screen pops up for about 1/50th second and goes directly to a reboot. This
cycle continues over and over. I cannot catch the blue screen using the pause
button... it's too fast.

I've checked and rechecked connections to no avail. What is wrong?

 

[Guest]

In my experience this is either a RAM problem or an registry problem.

To get for a RAM problem download and run a program like memtest86
(http://www.memtest86.com/).

If it is not a memory problem try to do a repair installation of Windows.
For detailed instructions see the knowledgebase article How to perform an
in-place upgrade (reinstallation) of Windows XP
(http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=315341).

Let me know how it goes.

MOW

 

[Guest]

If you get the ultimate boot cd, it has a bunch of tests on it that allow you
to test your CPU and RAM. Why are you using XP as a music server anyway? My
music server runs on a p1 100, using some old verson of mandrake or such with
linux port of winamp =p

Just costs less money! Its got about 300gig on that computer, because it
also has all my quake video's on it too to share around the house and on the
internet (via ftp). But you cant copy AND play music at the same time.

No. (100mhz isnt very much)

Oh, it also could be a driver problem. try unplugging all extra things, and
use windows XP cd to boot, and fix windows. Not the f2 option, after that,
when it basically does a full reinstall, but leaves all your MyDocuments
alone.

 

[Guest]

There seems to be something wrong with the Maxtor drive. It doesn't work as a
master or slave on 2 other machines. It's not even recognized on the other
machines. Put in another drive on the computer/music server... it works.

And FYI, I'm using this computer as a music server because it's available
hardware and software and compatible with my other stuff.