Diagnostics

[Orionbelt21]

Hiya folks,
Ok so a friend of mine asked me to take a look at her PC. So i did the usual test protocol, check for the boot up sequence, listen to a nice solid beep.
Symptoms:
1. After bios screen, tries to load Windows, and then it reboots, over and over.

What I've done so far:
1. Per my friends request I manage to get everything out of the HDD using an UBUD.
2. Re-installed Windows XP Pro. So it worked right, for a little bit, then it went back to rebooting itself.
3. installed a different HDD that i know works...same issue as above.

I am begining to think its a RAM or MOBO issue.
Any thoughts?

Specs:
Gateway 510 S Pro
Ram: 1GB 128x64-400MHz DDR400 PC3200, 184p DIMM,
256MB-DDR333 PC2700, 184p DIMM x2
MOBO: Intel E210882
HDD: WD Caviar 80gig model WD800
CPU: Intel Pentium 4 i believe is a LGA775 socket type not sure. 800MHz FSB, Intel 865PE Chipset

OS: Windows XP Pro

[flanzig1]

That looks to be the older socket 478. An issue I've had with the stock CPU heatsinks is that one of the cam locks would break and not make full contact with the CPU. This can cause overheating and the reboot cycle your talking about,
Other possible problem parts could be ram/PSU/motherboard(bugling caps).

[glc]

UBUD? Do you mean a UBCD? If so, it will have Memtest86+, run it. If that's not what you meant, you can download memtest86+ by itself or a UBCD.

Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

Ultimate Boot CD - Overview

[Orionbelt21]

GLC, that was a typo i meant UBCD!
Unfortunetely for me none of my spare parts work on that mobo.
Flanzig1 you are right it is the 478 socket.

I will run Memetest86 and see what happens.
It is such an old system, that it really doesnt matter if it gets fixed or not, i just wanna troubleshoot it and figure out whats wrong

[rjfvillarosa]

Originally Posted by Orionbelt21 2. Re-installed Windows XP Pro. So it worked right, for a little bit, then it went back to rebooting itself.

Roughly how long before it started the rebooting loop again?
I am always very wary of the power supply's in those cheap and nasty branded machines. If you can put your hands on a spare power supply, compare the wiring configuration on the mobo connector (some of those branded machines have proprietory power supply's) and if it is the same try swapping the power supply's just to test.

[Orionbelt21]

Originally Posted by rjfvillarosa Roughly how long before it started the rebooting loop again? I am always very wary of the power supply's in those cheap and nasty branded machines. If you can put your hands on a spare power supply, compare the wiring configuration on the mobo connector (some of those branded machines have proprietory power supply's) and if it is the same try swapping the power supply's just to test.

No luck, its a proprietory PSU, i have a spare one (regular PSU) and the power connections are different.

I was able to do a full install of XP pro, and i started to instal Avast, i wold say with in 5-10 mins.

[Orionbelt21]

Memtest86 results says the memory is ok. hmmmmm?

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by Orionbelt21 Memtest86 results says the memory is ok. hmmmmm?

how long did you run memtest?

[glc]

I show that as having a standard ATX power supply with a 20 pin main connector and a 4 pin CPU connector. If your spare has a 24 pin main, the extra 4 pins usually are on a piece that disconnects.