Even the rescue disk can't help

[Dodge7]

I am not sure where to post this becuase my problem seems to be half hardware and half Windows related. Maybe I am not seeing an obvious answer or hopefully one of you ran across this type of problem.

It started with my computer ocassionally rebooting by itselft and then it got worse. It mostly occurred when loading Windows [and still does] and to a lessor point when Windows was loaded but idle.

Then one time it just kept rebooting during the BIOS cyclce. So I thought I had a hardware problem. I tried checking connections, tightening things down, it seemed to help.

Then the problem started again, but this time I isolated it to starting whenever the modem tried to dial or was queried. I pulled the modem card. And.... the reboot probllem sitill occurred - either duing the BIOS cycle or when Windows loads. I checked around the modelm card for any obivous shorts or problems.

I relaoded XP [DURING THE WHOLE RELOAD TIME THE COMPUTER NEVER REBOOTED BY ITSELF]

The rebbot problem continued. And then Windows wouldn't load - even in safe mode]. I tried the rescue disk. It reintsalled Windows, but there appears to be a bad file, even with the rescue disk, Windows can't start.

Any ideas?

[pam123]

We need your specs.
I'm guessing either hard drive or memory with the hard drive first.
Also eyeball your motherboard for bulging/leaking capacitors.
If you can get into the bios at start up put the floppy first in the boot order.
Then create 2 bootable floppy disk, one for memtest to be used later if necessary and one for a hard drive diagnostic for your computer, if it's OEM or for the disk itself if your comp is a homebuilt.
In either case get the diagnostic program from the manufacturer's website.
If it clears the drive get memtest from here : http://www.memtest86.com/
and follow the instructions for running it.

[Dodge7]

Thanks.

Spec: Computer is 3-4 years old, basic SIS 630 motherbaord, with Celeron gener, 256 of memeory, XP, 20 gig HD, a lot of "generic" compnenents, but it has bee pretty reliable, this is the first hardwr problem I have had.

I forgot I have a good HD utitlity tester, I'll try that.

I checked the motherboard, it seemed to be all right

I'll try that memory test, that could be it

ot a problem on the board newar the modem connect

[pam123]

I surprised you haven't mentioned any beeps at start up.
Are you getting any or hearing any high pitched whines or clicking-grinding sounds?

[Dodge7]

Yes, I do hear a beep noting the BIOS is complete - unless it is one of the times the computer reboots before the Bios can complete the test.

[Dodge7]

Haven't doine the tests yet - but if the HD tests all right, would I be safe to just replace the motherboard and processor? I have been planning to do so anyway for awhile. I already bought another case I was going to use.

If I can be reasonably sure that would fix the problem, I would just do that.

[pam123]

If you're going to be doing a new build check over the components you want to carry over, a must, and then go to it.
But you can't be reasonably sure until you check them.

[Dodge7]

I had tried disconnecting the HD, I never thought the CD ROM could cuase such a problem, but I heard of such a problem - a CD ROM coause a computer to reboot - here at work. I'll have to check that.

[Negeva]

also check the advance power management features in the bios. had a machine that either re-booted for no reason or kept going to sleep. this occurred whenever but manily when using the modem.

after disabling the power features and wake on lan etc. in the bios everything worked back to normal. might be something to try..