W
w_tom
If you did a system restrore, then Windows XP booted. What problems
were stored in the system (event) log? Windows sees problems, stores
that failure, then works around the problem. You are able to
eliminate the problem later. But first you need those logs reports on
what did fail. Also what did Device Manager report? IOW don't fix
something without first knowing the problem.
Only some hardware can crash XP. Many items that others were
swapping out could have been ignored. It does not crash Windows and
would not cause your boot failures.
I don't see where you used the multimeter in two minutes to confirm
the power supply system is good. Not just a power supply. It is a
whole system. Replace the power supply and still the system could
cause problems. Two minutes with the meter and this procedure
elminates power system as a suspect. If you have not done that, that
other things will appear to 'fix' the problem that is really a power
system failure. Simple two minute procedure is also in "When your
computer dies without warning....." starting 6 Feb 2007 in the
newsgroup alt.windows-xp at:
http://tinyurl.com/yvf9vh
This is also why better manufacturers provide comprehensive
hardware diagnostics. For example, just fixed a Dell laptop. Dell
diagnostic executed as computer sat in a near 100 degree room.
Therefore a bad (and intermittent) memory location was identified.
Problem that others could not even reproduce was solved so quickly
that ordering a new part took longer.
Breaking a problem down into parts is necessary to eliminate
confusion. Currently unkonwn: is it a hardware problem or Windows?
After all that work, you don't even know what is definitely known
good? Problem is exponentially more complex because Windows and
hardware is being analyzed simultaneously. Just another reason why
better computer manufacturers provide comprehensive hardware
diagnostics that execute without Windows. Once hardware is confirmed,
only then move on to Windows.
The list of hardware that can create your failure is short: memory,
power supply system, video controller, sound card, processor, and some
limited motherboard functions. Clearly not on that list is disk
drive, keyboard, mouse, etc. CMOS also will not crash a booted
computer. First list is what hardware diagnostics must confirm - and
then be retested in a room of up to 100 degree F. Heat being a
powerful diagnostic tool to find intermittent and therefore 100%
defective hardware.
Whereas Windows can provide clues in failure codes, still, best is
to confirm hardware integrity before even executing Windows (other
than to get log data, etc)
Of course, if meter did not get numbers from the power supply
system, then you may be weeks chasing strange ghosts - that were
really due to a failure in the power supply system. Completely
defective supplies can still boot and run computers..