My computer will occasionally lock up and shut down. I recently put several new pieces into my computer including a mobo graphics cpu and ram. i have backed up my precious files onto an external hard drive and i want to start my internal one brand spanking new.

This is what I have done.

I have gone into my BIOS setup (bravely mind you. My computer would randomly shut down before I could even save a setting several times. I feared the well-being of my glass desk).

I have changed the boot sequence to look at CD-ROM first.

I have attempted to start my computer up and let Windows Setup take a spin.

>>>>----------==========SHUTDOWN============------------<<<<<

This computer mocks me.

Please help?

First shot: remove the new RAM and see if things work better.

Without the RAM my computer does not light up my mouse nor will my monitor turn completely on. I remains in sleep mode or however you say. I have no other RAM to put into the computer, I can try another slot? This would be the SECOND faulty RAM I bought... from corsair.

Also, my computer WAS able to boot into windows and all that. I even played World of Warcraft. However, I wanted to give my computer a fresh start.

Whenever I turn off my computer now via power button it will turn off for a second or two and then boot back on for a lil while before turning back off again. Also there are NO beeps. Thanks!

Sorry if I am a bit confused (or reading too fast)

You changed the motherboard? This would require a re-installation of XP.

When you try to boot the XP CD you say it shuts down?

Just powers off?

What exactly happens? Does the BIOS POST clear? Do you get the message to press any key to boot the CD?

I do get the message to boot from CD and this past time I got closer than ever.. it was loading some sort of kernels (thought I dont like popcorn in my computer. ha ha. ) and then dropped. It will drop without warning and I just hear the depressing sound of my fans slowly fading away..

I'm going to put my RAM back in :-)

Sometimes the POST will appear, and I will get to the point after it validates DMI or something.. right before the OS loads it will drop, or it will drop right at the mobo screen or ANYTHING.

Could this be a hardware issue since I am unable to even have my computer on long enough to go through Windows Setup?

My random shutdowns occur during startup and random times, before bios, after bios, before xp loading screen, anywhere really.

Yes it most likely is a hardware issue.

List of most common suspects:

RAM

Hard Drive

PSU

Hello!

I have posted my problem earlier in Operating System forum, but it seems my problem maybe hardware so I decided to continue my posting here with my new question.

Original Post


Is there anyway to test my RAM and PSU? This is the same HD that I have used before I upgraded my computer so I doubt that it is the problem. I don't want to wait for newegg to send me another RAM card either, so I'm trying to test out what I can.

RAM: http://www.memtest.org/

PSU: You can get an inexpensive tester at most any computer or electronics store: http://www.google.com/search?sourcei...8&q=psu+tester

Hard drive manufacturers have diagnostic programs on their web sites. Who is the manufacturer? If you do not know look in the Device Manager under Disk drives.

Right click My Computer then click Manage then Device Manager.

I do not have a floppy, nor can I burn CDs, so I am waiting for a friend to burn the IOS file onto a CD so I can use. I will post back as soon as I get results. Thanks!