System Lockup shortly after boot

[Bruce]

My system recently started locking up shortly after booting. I am not
getting any error messages during bootup.

The mouse simply locks or disappears about ten minutes after I have
booted. I have switched mouses (from PS2 to USB mouse) and the same
problem occurs. I have tried restoreing to a previous point and that did
not solve the issue.

What could cause the system to lockup shortly after bootup? Any
suggestions on what to try next. I can only access the system for about
ten minutes before it locks. I have't tried safe mode yet because I'm
not sure what to try and fix. I will try safe mode next to see if it
still locks up.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Bruce

 

[Malke]

My system recently started locking up shortly after booting. I am not
getting any error messages during bootup.

The mouse simply locks or disappears about ten minutes after I have
booted. I have switched mouses (from PS2 to USB mouse) and the same
problem occurs. I have tried restoreing to a previous point and that
did not solve the issue.

What could cause the system to lockup shortly after bootup? Any
suggestions on what to try next. I can only access the system for
about ten minutes before it locks. I have't tried safe mode yet
because I'm not sure what to try and fix. I will try safe mode next to
see if it still locks up.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
Bruce

It could be either hardware or software. There isn't any way to tell
from the information we've got here. I would start with the hardware
troubleshooting because lockups are often caused by overheating, bad
RAM, faulty power supply, etc. Here are some links to help you
troubleshoot:

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

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
Clean boot in Windows XP - http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353
Clean-boot advanced troubleshooting in Windows XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/316434
and How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560

Malke

 

[Bruce]

Thanks for your help.

The system doesn't appear to be overheating. At least the fan is working
and it doesn't seem hot. I'm not sure how to test to see if RAM is
faulty. I can always pop a new hard drive in to see if it works or
elimnates the problem.

I'll follow your links to see if they offer any insight.

Right now I have the computer running in safe mode and it hasn't locked
up yet.

Ironically, the computer that is locking up also gives me my DSL
braodband connection and that hasn't been affected by the locking up.

Bruce

 

[V Green]

Thanks for your help.

The system doesn't appear to be overheating. At least the fan is working
and it doesn't seem hot. I'm not sure how to test to see if RAM is
faulty. I can always pop a new hard drive in to see if it works or
elimnates the problem.

I'll follow your links to see if they offer any insight.

Right now I have the computer running in safe mode and it hasn't locked
up yet.

Ironically, the computer that is locking up also gives me my DSL
braodband connection and that hasn't been affected by the locking up.

Bruce

Is the system still responsive to the keyboard when this
happens? (try ALT+F4 key).

 

[Bruce]

No, the system freezes competely and I have to do a hard boot by
shutting off the power to get any response.

It has now been running in safe mode for longer than it has all morning.

I am going to test the memory from the recommendation listed earlier. I
will also test the hard drive.

If it is running properly in safe mode, does that indicate it is a
software problem as opposed to a hardware issue? If I had a hardware
issue wouldn't it still be a problem?

Bruce

 

[Alias]

No, the system freezes competely and I have to do a hard boot by
shutting off the power to get any response.

It has now been running in safe mode for longer than it has all morning.

I am going to test the memory from the recommendation listed earlier. I
will also test the hard drive.

If it is running properly in safe mode, does that indicate it is a
software problem as opposed to a hardware issue? If I had a hardware
issue wouldn't it still be a problem?

Bruce

No, not at all. I had a problem with a bad power supply and it would
boot into Safe Mode with no problem, each and every time. With Normal
Mode, OTOH, sometimes it would boot up and sometimes it would hang on
the Windows XP flash screen.

Alias

 

[Guest]

sounds alot like hardware, are there any usbs connected to your computer if
so disconnect these and try that