StarDestroyer.Net BBS

My computer broke down yesterday. It has done this several times in the
past, and each time formatting the hard drive and reinstalling Windows
XP fixed the problem... for a while. Then it broke down again in the
same way.

First, it boots into windows fairly normally, but with an extremely low
resolution and color depth (something like 320x240, four-bit color!). I
log in and fix the weird resolution settings, and it works... until I
turn it off. The next time I start the computer, it starts to load
windows, but as soon as it tries to change screen resolution to go to
the Windows XP splash screen, the computer restarts and I see the BIOS
splash screen. Starting in safe mode makes no difference.

I tested it by sticking in a Knoppix LiveCD, and it works just fine.
I'm also able to boot from the Windows XP installation CD, and
reinstall Windows. This "solution" sucks, though.

My computer specs:

Athlon-64 3000+ CPU
1 GB DDR-400 PC3200 memory
Nvidia Geforce 6200 with TurboCache
Motherboard: Foxconn WinFast NF4K8MC-ERS with nVidia nForce4 Chipset
160 GB SATA hard drive

Any ideas?

Are you overclocking?
If so, reset everything back to stock.
Have you tried a different version of the Forceware (or whatever the hell nvidia calls their driver package now) video and chipset drivers than the ones you're using?

Forgot to add:
Unless things have improved greatly, never install the nvidia IDE drivers.
This probably doesn't have a thing to do with your problem, but the nvidia drivers are known to bork CD/DVD drives.

Glocksman wrote:Are you overclocking?
If so, reset everything back to stock.

No, everything's being run at the stock settings. I even reset my CMOS, so I'm pretty sure about this.

Have you tried a different version of the Forceware (or whatever the hell nvidia calls their driver package now) video and chipset drivers than the ones you're using?

No, I've always just installed the latest drivers from the internet.

Forgot to add:
Unless things have improved greatly, never install the nvidia IDE drivers.
This probably doesn't have a thing to do with your problem, but the nvidia drivers are known to bork CD/DVD drives.

Hmm, I've been installing those drivers each time. Thanks for the advice; I'll never install those IDE drivers again.

I'm sorry for jumping in, but I had to ask:

Glocksman wrote: Forgot to add:
Unless things have improved greatly, never install the nvidia IDE drivers.
This probably doesn't have a thing to do with your problem, but the nvidia drivers are known to bork CD/DVD drives.

I have a nVIDIA card (GeForce FX 5700), and my DVD drive, which is 1½ years old died last month. I haven't replaced it yet, but could the drivers have something to do with that? Where can I learn more about it? I've never heard that before.

What does the blue screen give as origin of the crash?

Mange wrote:I'm sorry for jumping in, but I had to ask:

Glocksman wrote: Forgot to add:
Unless things have improved greatly, never install the nvidia IDE drivers.
This probably doesn't have a thing to do with your problem, but the nvidia drivers are known to bork CD/DVD drives.

I have a nVIDIA card (GeForce FX 5700), and my DVD drive, which is 1½ years old died last month. I haven't replaced it yet, but could the drivers have something to do with that? Where can I learn more about it? I've never heard that before.

Do you have an Nvidia nForce motherboard? If not, that's not your problem.

Dahak wrote:What does the blue screen give as origin of the crash?

There is no blue screen. The computer just quietly reboots, and Windows later reports that there was an error in startup last time and offers to start in safe mode.

What does the system log report as the cause of the crash?

Beowulf wrote:What does the system log report as the cause of the crash?

Where is this system log, and how do I read it? (Bear in mind that I can't open Windows.) If it's just a regular file somewhere, I can read it in Knoppix.

The system log is probably at: C:\WINDOWS\system32\config\SysEvent.Evt

However, it's a binary file. *shrug* Dunno how to read it on a linux system.

If I am not totally wrong, blue screens do not "show" (well, any readable time at least) on default as computer boots itself when it detects system error.
To actually see the screen "System Properties" > "Advanced" > "Startup and Recovery" > untick "Automatically Restart" under "System Failure".

Have no idea how to read those in Linux. (mskb linky: How to view and manage event logs in Event Viewer in Windows XP if you manage somehow to get into xp... does this work on safemode and can you get into it?)

Hmm... can bad memory corrupt windows on time? Have you tested yours?

--Rin

Mange wrote:I'm sorry for jumping in, but I had to ask:

Glocksman wrote: Forgot to add:
Unless things have improved greatly, never install the nvidia IDE drivers.
This probably doesn't have a thing to do with your problem, but the nvidia drivers are known to bork CD/DVD drives.

I have a nVIDIA card (GeForce FX 5700), and my DVD drive, which is 1½ years old died last month. I haven't replaced it yet, but could the drivers have something to do with that? Where can I learn more about it? I've never heard that before.

IIRC, the drivers didn't physically damage the drives.
What they did was cause bad burns if used with certain hardware/software configurations.
If your drive is making coasters, they could be the reason.
If the drive is physically dead, they didn't have a thing to do with it.

And as Arrow mentioned, unless your system has an nvidia motherboard chipset you aren't using the IDE driver anyway.


Oh, and sketerpot, what kind of power supply is in your PC?
If it's not giving you a stable ample output it could be the cause of your problem.

When I changed from an ATi Radeon 9600 Pro to a Radeon X800 Pro, I had the odd stability issue until I upgraded my PSU in what I admit is total overkill to an Antec TrueControl 550 watt power supply.

Glocksman wrote:Oh, and sketerpot, what kind of power supply is in your PC?
If it's not giving you a stable ample output it could be the cause of your problem.

It's a 450 watt PSU, which seems likle it should be enough.

Also, I checked my memory with memtest86, and it's working just fine.

sketerpot wrote:

Glocksman wrote:Oh, and sketerpot, what kind of power supply is in your PC?
If it's not giving you a stable ample output it could be the cause of your problem.

It's a 450 watt PSU, which seems likle it should be enough.

Also, I checked my memory with memtest86, and it's working just fine.

Believe me, not all 450 watt PSU's are made equally.
For example, a 350 watt Sparkle is more stable and more powerful than a lot of no name '450 watt' units out there.

However, IIRC the 6200 isn't a big power hog so the PSU might or might not be your problem.
Do you feel comfortable taking it apart and examining the capacitors for evidence of leakage and using a multimeter to measure the voltage and current output?

Thank you very much for your replies, Arrow and Glocksman!

Glocksman wrote:Do you feel comfortable taking it apart and examining the capacitors for evidence of leakage and using a multimeter to measure the voltage and current output?

Unfortunately, I don't have access to a multimeter. I could give it a try when I move back to college in mid-August. Right now I'm using an older backup computer, so this isn't just too urgent.

And you're right, this is a no-name PSU, which came with the "Raidmax Scorpio-868 ATX Mid-Tower Case".