Troublesome Boot

[Negeva]

Really stumped by this one and could do with an fresh insight.


Got a P4 based machine that's developed an annoying start-up fault; you must re-boot the machine at least 3-4 times before it will actually get to Windows proper. The first attempt will get you to the screen with the bars, the next attempt gets you slightly further as you get to the Windows XP splash screen. Re-boot and try again for the third try and you get top the log-in screen but the mouse will not move and that's the end of that; fourth attempt will succeed most times and you can log onto Windows.

Did get a driver error code which was from from an old Intel Application Accelerator install; un-installed and fixed that. Hoped that was the end of it but it still needs the several false starts to get into Windows proper.

I've stripped and cleaned the machine, re-seated everything (RAM, IDE cables but left the CPU alone) as I thought it might be a loose connection or dust. But still the several re-boots. The only thing I haven't tried is replacing/testing the PSU.

One thing I have noticed is that when first booting and entering the BIOS the CPU temperature is about 21C, if I leave it for some time and wait until the temperature gets to about 30C the machine will generally boot into Windows on the first attempt.

Any advice to fix this will be greatly appreciated.


Machine Specc's

Windows XP Home (OEM)
P4 2.8ghz (skt 478, Northwood)
512Mb Ram
80Gb Maxtor HDD
AOPEN 845G/GL/GV Brookdale Host-Hub Interface Bridge (A1-step) Motherboard.

[Panama Red]

I'd be inclined to think the psu is the culprit. What brand and wattage is the one you are using?

[Negeva]

Originally Posted by Panama Red I'd be inclined to think the psu is the culprit. What brand and wattage is the one you are using?

It was some cheap generic PSU. Replaced and tested it using the Antec PSU from my own machine and it still requires two or three 'false' starts before you actually get into Windows.

[Panama Red]

Check the mobo capacitors very carefully for any signs of leakage or swelling. They look like small barrels. If they all look ok, next step would be to follow the guide in this Sticky thread. You have to remove everything from the case and test the core components. If it boots ok with the core components, reinstall in the case and add addtiional items one at a time until the problem occurs again.

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=132409

[Negeva]

Thanks for taking the time here Red. I'll have to wait a day or two as busy with work. Hope it's not the mobo as I haven't seen a socket 478 one for an age.


{OFF-TOPIC} If I wanted to start a discussion on making and designing a home media network which would be the best forum section? Scenario is a couple of desktops and laptops with the ability to stream media and the like.

[mikeL]

{OFF-TOPIC} If I wanted to start a discussion on making and designing a home media network which would be the best forum section? Scenario is a couple of desktops and laptops with the ability to stream media and the like.

I would start in Networking section

[Cricket]

Does the computer boot to Safe Mode okay?

Have you tested the hard drive with the manufacturer's diagnostic utility yet?

Have you tried another IDE/SATA cable to the hard drive?

Check the capacitors on the motherboard for leaking or bulging.

Cricket

[Negeva]

Originally Posted by Cricket Does the computer boot to Safe Mode okay? Have you tested the hard drive with the manufacturer's diagnostic utility yet? Have you tried another IDE/SATA cable to the hard drive? Check the capacitors on the motherboard for leaking or bulging. Cricket

No the machine still takes at least 3-4 attempts to enter either Windows proper or Safe-Mode. The hdd was tested using UBCD4Win CD and Windows ScanDisk; all errors were fixed and the machine still took several attempts to boot.
The hdd was removed and tested in a spare rig and it booted fine, all other hardware was tested the same way. The only t hing that hasn't been tested was the CPU, as I had no spare TIM to replace the HSF. I have done everything and then some to fathom the error with this machine; was hoping it was a simple case of software as I can cope with that; hardware errors scare me.

Anyhow, after a closer inspection of the motherboard it seems a couple of the capacitors tops weren't flush like the others and one had a crusty discharge on top of it. I can only guess that it is leaking. Can someone please explain as to why having a leaky capacitor would cause such a fault - several re-boots until entering Windows?

Thanks to all.

[Cricket]

Originally Posted by Negeva The hdd was tested using UBCD4Win CD and Windows ScanDisk; all errors were fixed and the machine still took several attempts to boot.

What kind of errors were they?

Originally Posted by Negeva Anyhow, after a closer inspection of the motherboard it seems a couple of the capacitors tops weren't flush like the others and one had a crusty discharge on top of it. I can only guess that it is leaking. Can someone please explain as to why having a leaky capacitor would cause such a fault - several re-boots until entering Windows?

The role of the capacitor is to smooth out power going to the various area of the motherboard. If the electrolyte inside the capacitor starts to boil and leak out, the capacitor loses it's ability to smooth out the power and you get "dirty" or uneven power and in a computer that can cause all sorts of problems.

Originally Posted by Negeva I have done everything and then some to fathom the error with this machine; was hoping it was a simple case of software as I can cope with that; hardware errors scare me.

Oddly enough, I'd rather face hardware problems than software problems...those really stump me.

Cricket

[Negeva]

Regarding the hhd errors, they were the good old fashioned orphaned and corrupt files due to the constant forced restarts. The drive itself was in good shape, as tested in another machine it would boot fine.

Anyhow, been messing about with this machine off and on for over two weeks and have decided to donate it to a local charity where they salvage PCs and give them away to deserving families and local organisations. Since Vista came out there are many bargains to be had on 'last seasons' operating system PCs.