Computer: E Machines
Model: T3256
RAM: 512
OS: Windows XP Home Edition service pack 2 2002 edition
Processor: 3200+ AMD Athlon XP
Note - had computer for about 2 years.

Problem:
Ok my computer is starting up normally showing the e trademark symbol and then it goes to the menu of safe mode and that whole thing, but whatever I click on it starts to load windows XP then all of a sudden a blue screen flashes less then a second (almost impossible to read what the message says) and the computer RESTARTS, if anyone can help me I would really appreciate it, THANKS!
ok when did this start?? can you boot into safe mode?? maybe related to heat.. use a can of compressed air to clean it out.. any new software hardware installed??to my knowledge it started today about 10 minutes ago, and no with all the modes (safe mode, last known configuration, etc) it starts to load windows xp and just flashes a blue screen then restarts, and to my knowledge no software was recently installed and definatly no hardware has been installed.ummm... did you try cleaning it out.. and theres no way to read the error message??


ok make sure everything is firming plugged in and setted... if that doesnt work then come back and we'll try something elseOk I'll try cleaning it out right now, and no the blue screen error message flashes less then a second (I even tried to take a picture of it so I could read it but its too fast.   and I'll also see if everything is plugged in, thanks so much unlovedwarrior for replying so quickly. Ok I cleaned it out, that didnt do anything, and I also made sure the plugs were firmly plugged in that didnt do anything either, and with safe mode a whole list of stuff pops up having to do with system 32/ I don't know if thats normal when you start up in safe mode, but about 10 seconds after the list shows up the computer restarts.your welcome ill be on for a while longer...


ok you need to go test your motherboard, ram, and harddrive


go to each manufacture and download their testing TOOLS..


but first try this...

unplug your computer discharge any remaining power by HOLDING the power button in for 30 seconds or so..

look for a little battery somewhere on your motherboard it looks like a watch battery..  take it out for a few seconds and then put it back in...

this will reset your cmos( i believe thats what it is)  and plug back in and retry

if that does work then try testing the things i told you to..ok so first I should hold the power button to discharge the remaining power then take out the cmos battery right? then test the hardware,? cmos just holds like date and time and boot up sequence right, I wont lose any files?you wont lose any files... but do the battery thing before you start testing the hardware because it can take for everOk I held the power button for 30 seconds with everything unplugged, then I took out the cmos battery and waited 5 seconds, put it back in then started it up it went to an info page about all the primary stuff and all that, I pressed F1 to continue then it went straight back to the safe mode menu, tried it and the same thing happens. Quote from: GX1_Man on November 18, 2006, 09:07:12 AM

Check the RAM with a free download at www.memtest86.com

Check the hard drive with free diagnostics at the appropriate drive maker's site.

More info is always helpful. See below.