XP randomly reboots during boot screen

[John]

I just recently reformatted (NTFS) my computer, and
upgraded to XP from 98 SE. Since then I've been getting
several problems with trying to boot the computer. For
the record, the computer will ALWAYS boot up in Safe Mode
(with OUT network access), but will usually reboot during
the boot screen. It seems that when it reboots once
during the boot screen, it will not properly boot up for
about 5 - 10 minutes. Eventually, XP WILL boot up (which
is how I'm able to ask the question here).

I am also having problems downloading my drivers, and
using Windows Update - Windows Update usually freezes when
it is looking for updates (freezes at 33%, I have already
tried all permutations for the HTTP 1.1 solutions - but
they don't work). When Windows Update does successfully
scan, the download almost always freezes somewhere in the
download.

 

[Guest]

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;836960&Product=winx

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;831429&Product=winx
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;823612&Product=winxp

 

[Malke]

I just recently reformatted (NTFS) my computer, and
upgraded to XP from 98 SE. Since then I've been getting
several problems with trying to boot the computer. For
the record, the computer will ALWAYS boot up in Safe Mode
(with OUT network access), but will usually reboot during
the boot screen. It seems that when it reboots once
during the boot screen, it will not properly boot up for
about 5 - 10 minutes. Eventually, XP WILL boot up (which
is how I'm able to ask the question here).

I am also having problems downloading my drivers, and
using Windows Update - Windows Update usually freezes when
it is looking for updates (freezes at 33%, I have already
tried all permutations for the HTTP 1.1 solutions - but
they don't work). When Windows Update does successfully
scan, the download almost always freezes somewhere in the
download.

From your description of the problem, it sounds to me like your Win98
box has failing hardware and/or is not adequate for WinXP. Without
computer specs, it's impossible to say for sure. Here are some hardware
troubleshooting steps:

1) open the computer and run it open, cleaning out all dust bunnies and
observing all fans (overheating will cause system freezing); 2) test
the RAM - I like Memtest86 from www.memtest86.com - let the test run
for an extended (like overnight) period of time - unless errors are
seen immediately; 3) test the hard drive with a diagnostic utility from
the mftr.; 4) the power supply may be going bad or be inadequate for
the devices you have in the system; 5) test the motherboard with
something like TuffTest from www.tufftest.com. Testing hardware
failures often involves swapping out suspected parts with known-good
parts. If you can't do the testing yourself and/or are uncomfortable
opening your computer, take the machine to a good local computer repair
shop (not a CompUSA or Best Buy type of store).

Malke