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Solve : System won't boot?

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My WXP Pro system recently crashed and rebooted during use. Upon reboot, a message came up re no Operating system. I checked cables to the drive and rebooted. Success, so I imaged my system for protection. Rebooted and the system got to Windows logo and rebooted, cycled over and over doing the same thing.
Procedures done: 1. Tried another drive with a restored o/s. Crashed the same way. Ruled out the drives as problem. 2. Ran mem86 for 3 hours. Ruled out memory problems. Also, swapped positions on the 2 memory sticks, and also tested w/1 stick at a time. Same results. 3. Ran Prime95 to test the dual core processor. Both cores ran at 100% with no apparent problems. 4. Installed Windows XP Pro clean. System booted up fine. Restored a July 2007 OS, system failed to boot. 5. Today, I installed a new FoxConn mobo (ASUS felt the original was defective). Boot up produced same results, except, now I don't get to the Windows logo. I get to the screen to boot up regular or Safe mode. Either choice produces a reboot. 6. I tested with a different pair of memory (same type), same results.
So, I rule out the mobo and memory. CPU appears to test OK, but - can it be the culprit? Or the PSU perhaps (OCZ 520w, 3 yr OLD)? Any other test out there for the CPU (AMD Athlon 64x2, dual core, 3 yr old)?
Any assistance WOULD be greatly appreciated.My first suspect judging on the info you provided would be the PSU...
Borrow one and swap it in there to see.
If not were looking at either the CPU or board...but you did say you swapped boards correct ? ?Hi, Thank you for your reply. Yes, I did install a new FoxConn mobo to replace ASUS mobo and still have the same problem. I will now purchase a new PSU, since I don't have one on hand to substitute trial with.
I have OCZ PSU, 520w, just over 3 years old. I do no gaming. I normally run 3 drives along with the dvd (C drive, Data drive, Backup drive). However, during these problems, only the C and DVD drives are connected, with the same problem. PCI monitor card. According to the research I did when I built this machine 9/2005, 520w was more power than I needed. Do you feel this size is adequate? Any brand preferences? Many thanks for your help. Some good info

Also visit PCPower & Cooling for lot's more info on PSU's and their construction...Thank you for the link. I'll check it out. Actually the last PSU i bought was an OCZ because i was curious as to their quality...
It was a modular cable design i installed in a customers machine and i was pleasantly impressed...currently running a CoolerMaster.

P.S. There are still some issues with the modular cable design so if you don't absolutely need it right now get a traditional...Hi, Patio,

Up until now, I've had no problems with the OCZ PSU. It has lots of adjustments available, but I'm no tinkerer or over-clocker. Just want a good, stable machine. Both systems I have built the past 3 years are housed in Cooler Master cases. I love them! The second one, for my husband's machine, was an even easier case to work in. I love the "screwless" system for locking in the drives and cards.
Thanks for the hint on "modular". I'll avoid them for now. Anything new usually NEEDS time to work out the kinks.
In checking my files, I found that the OCZ has a 5 year warranty. Explains why we paid so much. I'll be contacting them tomorrow and see where we go from there.
Many thanks for info. Much appreciated!Upon reboot, a message came up no Operating system. This means the drive your're trying to boot from has no OS. What I would do is:
1.load to CMOS setup
2.set 1st boot to CD/DVD ROM
3.Save and Exit setup
4.Insert a bootable CD
5.load to command prompt
6.Type SYS C:
7.Press Enter
after this process restart ur system. Ovie aka TrizleQuote from: Trizle1 on January 01, 2009, 06:34:10 PM

Upon reboot, a message came up no Operating system. This means the drive your're trying to boot from has no OS. What I would do is:
1.load to CMOS setup
2.set 1st boot to CD/DVD ROM
3.Save and Exit setup
4.Insert a bootable CD
5.load to command prompt
6.Type SYS C:
7.Press Enter
after this process restart ur system. Ovie aka Trizle

Hi, Trizle,
Thanks for the info. I'm not sure what this does. At present, when I boot, I get to the point of the Windows logo, then a crash/reboot. REPEATS over and over, if I let it. I only got the "no o/s" the first time it crashed. Since then, I do get a start in Windows, just not a complete load. When I installed a fresh install of WXP Pro, it booted just fine into the basic program. Then, when I restored a July 2007 image with all of my programs, it would get to the logo and reboot. Since it does this with 2 different drives, and with a new motherboaard, and different memory sticks, I suspect the CPU or PSU. Any thoughts? Others have suggested PSU, which is the direction I am leaning in. I will be contacting OCZ today for their input or replacement, since the PSU is still under warranty. Thank you for your input. I appreciate it.Just to note here... They said they swapped mobo's right?

If these boards have a different chipset, a restored XP installation will fail to boot.
This is because XP is trying to load chipset drivers that do not work with that machine. and will loop a BSOD until you repair the installation using the XP disk. (i.e using the repair installation option rather than installing over the top)

Hope this helps.Thank you, Kurtiskain, for your input. It makes sense. It is a different brand mobo, so your comment sounds logical. I contacted OCZ today re the PSU and they said it did NOT sound like the PSU was causing the problem. This makes your comment even more noteworthy. I'll give that a try and advise the result. Many thanks!!! Good to hear about the PSU, and yes I agree that it is not the PSU.
If it still does not fix the problem however...before it loads to the loading screen, access the Windows startup menu by tapping F8 just after the BIOS disappears and select "disable automatic restart on system failure" and note down the details off the BSOD screen, and I will try to find out what is causing it

KurtisHi, Kurtis,
I want to thank you so VERY much for your first suggestion!!! It WORKED!!!
I had to Google for info to be sure I did things right, and found a set of instructions at http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/repair.txt The primary method he recommended wouldn't work, so I used his "Warning 2" method, figuring if it failed, I would simply have to re-install Windows. After a few trials and mis-steps of my own, it booted up and began looking for new drivers, etc. I put in the new mobo disc and Voila! everything loaded. I now have a few tweaks to do, like verify my network link, but I was able to dial out and update my Panda antivirus, then ran a scan of the drive. Nothing was found.
Your new post is also very helpful. I had seen the message flash as the system failed and rebooted, but didn't know how to be able to "read" the message. Since right now I'm working on the second drive which I had restored (using Drive Image) with my current system when the system first failed (I had removed it to preserve the drive while I tried to "fix" the problem using a back-up drive.) I will re-install the original drive and follow your instructions, to see what was causing the system to fail. I'll post that info when I do. Today, I have to help hubby with his "tractor won't start" problem, so I won't be doing anything with the computer until later today or this evening.
Words of thanks can't possibly say enough!!! I am so appreciative of your help!!! The very best to you in this New Year!!! You are very welcome

Happy new year to you too

Hope the tractor doesn't give you too many problems!
And also hope your computer problems smooth themselves out.

Kurtis


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