Re: intermittent boot freeze

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The fact that it freezes randomly, and within different boot axis,
(Windows loading, BIOS setup, PCDoc booted to CD) very strongly
suggests hardware.

BTW, what do you mean by "freeze"? If the only problem is not being
able to use the keyboard, then swapping that out would be a good
starting point.



"krcmd1" <krcmd1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:07299AF3-73F6-4FF6-9473-59C10234D9CE@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Thank you. How is the hardware/programs different before windows launches?
Am I wrong to think that this might be a bios program or DOS or interrupt
problem? For example, last night I booted PC Doctor from CD. It was running
fine, for about an hour, but then it wouldn't respond later to keyboard
command to stop the PCDoctor.

How does a hardware problem fit with this?

Never a problem once Windows is running.

"Bill Blanton" wrote:

"krcmd1" <krcmd1@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message news:3E66B7B5-77CD-4382-ADA5-8C1CAA8630DA@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Recently have developed a strange problem:

intermittently, the computer freezes during boot, before XP loads. This
has happened about 20-30 times in the past three weeks, about 1/4 boot
attempts. Memory checking and HDD checking programs (booting from CD) have
found no problems there. Throughout this experience, there have been no
problesm once windows has launched. In fact, once the HDD light flickers,
there will be no problem.

On the other hand, sometimes the freeze occurs within the BIOS setup program.

That alone points more towards a hardware problem. The fact that it's intermittent
makes it difficult to test, let alone with software tools. I'd guess,, it's not the HDD, as
the HDD isn't needed to boot the BIOS.

You might try reseating the RAM modules, check for any corrosion on the contacts.
If more than one module, remove/swap then test / etc.

Check/reseat all other MB <-> device connections. (Blow out the dust bunnies.)
Eyeball the MB for leaking/bulging capacitors. A flakey PSU is another possibility.
You might want to swap test with a another.



I'm hoping this isn't MB.

That is always a possibility.


Thanks for your help.





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