Restart, Resart, Restart

Operator13 · TC's Number One Fan

Restart, Resart, Restart

sparky · Man Whore

Could be various reasons for this.

Overheating - has the inside of the case been cleaned out recently, are all the fans clean (power supply fan, graphics card fan, ect.). Computer should still be quite clean really considering how new it is, so this is unlikely to be the problem.

Virus or Malware infection - Do you have any anti-spyware and anti-malware programs installed that could possibly be run in safe mode, starting the computer in safe mode could possibly allow the computer to run without restarting which would allow the anti-virus and anti-malware programs to be run.

To start an XP computer in safe mode:
Start tapping the F8 key. The Windows Advanced Options Menu appears. If you begin tapping the F8 key too soon, some computers display a "keyboard error" message. To resolve this, restart the computer and try again.
Ensure that the Safe mode option is selected.
Press Enter. The computer then begins to start in Safe mode.
When you are finished close all programs and restart the computer as you normally would.

Otherwise could be a failing piece of hardware.

Monkey Proof · Buttercup is awesomesexycool and smelly too.

Sparky has brought up some good points.

when you try and boot into safe mode wait untill after the manufacturers spalsh screen disapears then start pressing the F8 key.

also since this is a fairly new computer i'm suspecting that it may be affected by malicious software that my have been downloaded unknowing to you. to be on the safeside go to Ewido and do a anti-virus scan. if you do the scan and if viruses or worms are reported please post the results of the scan here so Sparky or myself can analyze the results and tell you exactly what the viruses entended to do and how it affected the computer.

http://www.ewido.net/en/onlinescan/

Operator13 · TC's Number One Fan

Thanks for the suggestions.

It started doing the same thing this AM, finally I got system restore to work & I went back to Saturday.

Spent almost an hour on with Dell. It's running OK so far.

I think you're right about Malware etc .....

I use McAfee for anti-virus & Microsoft Antispyware but haven't had a complete scan in to days. Do either of you use AVG? That's my favorite but anymore it only lets me download the Full $$$ version. I get McAfee for free through Comcast but I think I'm gonna buck up for the AVG

Hopefully it'll scan now. I'll let you know.

Again, thanks for the helpful suggestions.

sparky · Man Whore

AVG, does not do to bad a job at detecting viruses, but then is let down by not being able to deal with the cleaning or removal of them.

You would be better off getting Avast.

Get it here.

Monkey Proof · Buttercup is awesomesexycool and smelly too.

i just recently switched over to Avast from eTrust. so far i like it. i downloaded the free edition from their website.

use the Ewido online scanner, it is a far more powerfull scaner then McAfee or the Microsoft anti-spyware.

sparky · Man Whore

Refer to the top two sections of this thread on Lunarsoft.net for anti-virus and anti-malware programs.

and this thread on Lunarsoft.net for a list of online scanners.

Operator13 · TC's Number One Fan

sparky wrote:

AVG, does not do to bad a job at detecting viruses, but then is let down by not being able to deal with the cleaning or removal of them. You would be better off getting Avast. Get it here.

Thanks ....

Looks pretty highly rated. I'll try it.

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sparky · Man Whore

No worries, let us know how you get on.

Operator13 · TC's Number One Fan

Tried for 2 hours this AM wouldn't start at all. Just kept re-booting.

Took a nap, left sytem un-plugged for 3-4 hours. Started on 1st boot, stayed on for approx 5 mins then restart.

Now since that restrat has stayed on (10 mins).

Can someone tell how to proceed?

Sometimes will get one "BEEP" after POST prior to Boot, otherwise will just re-boot.

Could it be that the registry is FUBAR?

Buttercup · Monkey Proof is Beautiful yet hideous

I'm going to move this to Technical, Operator.

sparky · Man Whore

I don't think it is going to be the registry O13, i think it is going to be hardware related.
Two things I found by googling, that sound similar to your problem, but possibly not exactly the same, were:
1, The tv tuner card could be causing problems, removing this and then starting the computer could cause it to work ok.
2, The BIOS might need flashing, however on a non-starting computer this would mean creating a floppy or cd to perform the flashing with, this is really a last resort as it could lead to a totally non working computer.

Considering the computer is only 4 months old, then wouldn't you be better off getting it sorted under warranty?

Operator13 · TC's Number One Fan

They say it's a software issue. Not covered by warrenty unless harware.

This is only second time all day it's stayed on for 5 minutes.

I restored to an even earlier point in May.

sparky · Man Whore

They always say it is a software fault, that is the easy option for them.

Would you be willing to reinstall XP, using the restore disk(s) that came with the pc, or do you have stuff saved on the computer that you would need to save first?

Or there would be a repair XP option that could be done first.
Would need to refresh my memory on this one though.

Plush · Make believe Slutty Zombie/Official TOP Drama Queen

Maybe it's posessed.

sorry cough cough, continue.

sparky · Man Whore

Plush wrote:

Maybe it's posessed. sorry cough cough, continue.

Need something to stop that cough Plush?

Like my dick in your mouth. lol

Plush · Make believe Slutty Zombie/Official TOP Drama Queen

sparky wrote:

Plush wrote:
Maybe it's posessed. sorry cough cough, continue.

Need something to stop that cough Plush?

Like my dick in your mouth. lol

Whip it out, froggy. Dare ya to post it.

Plush · Make believe Slutty Zombie/Official TOP Drama Queen

Too bad US is not here to witness

Operator13 · TC's Number One Fan

sparky wrote:

They always say it is a software fault, that is the easy option for them. Would you be willing to reinstall XP, using the restore disk(s) that came with the pc, or do you have stuff saved on the computer that you would need to save first? Or there would be a repair XP option that could be done first. Would need to refresh my memory on this one though.

You aren't going to believe this but it didn't come with Restore CDs, they were OPTIONAL (Didn't see that in the fine print).

Right after I sent yestersay's POST it ccrashed and couldn't get it started unitl now.

If it keeps up I might have to BUY a new OS, I don't know what else to do.

The AVast didn't work out well. I couldn't get they sytem to stay booted long enough to run it. I wasn't crazy about it running before Boot with my system acting up.

I'm up & running using a restore point about 3 weeks old after about 6 HOURS of trying.

I'm trying to install Window's new One Care.

I'll post tonight from work, let you know how it works out.

Thanks everyone for listenin' to my bitchin' .....

Operator13 · TC's Number One Fan

Update : System hasn't started for three days. Dell says they'll sell me a rescue disk for $10 but can't get them to send it yet.

Got totally frustrated yesterday, decided to try to rebuild an old P3. Had to get a new CD-Rom so Upgraded to a burner for $50. Took all morning yesterday but Formatted & Installed Win98 SE.

At least now I can get on-line at home.

One minor little problem, on boot I get message the CD isn't ATAPI compatabile [ 3 beeps after POST]. On the box it says it is though WTF? AT least it'll read but I haven't gotten sound out of it yet (Yes I hooked up the analog wire to the sound card).

Anyway, just wanted to vent ..... maybe someday I'll get Dell to send the freaking rescue disk.

woodbutcher · Giggidy, giggidy, gig-gi-dy!

Operator13 wrote:

Update : System hasn't started for three days. Dell says they'll sell me a rescue disk for $10 but can't get them to send it yet. Got totally frustrated yesterday, decided to try to rebuild an old P3. Had to get a new CD-Rom so Upgraded to a burner for $50. Took all morning yesterday but Formatted & Installed Win98 SE. At least now I can get on-line at home. One minor little problem, on boot I get message the CD isn't ATAPI compatabile [ 3 beeps after POST]. On the box it says it is though WTF? AT least it'll read but I haven't gotten sound out of it yet (Yes I hooked up the analog wire to the sound card). Anyway, just wanted to vent ..... maybe someday I'll get Dell to send the freaking rescue disk.

Go to the CDR's site and get the Win98SE drivers--98 sometimes won't detect newer CDR's prroperly. There is a way to force 98 into recognising the CDR properly, but you'd have to screw with the registry.

Let us know how you make out.

Sweet · Hooker

Operator13 wrote:

They say it's a software issue. Not covered by warrenty unless harware.
This is only second time all day it's stayed on for 5 minutes.
I restored to an even earlier point in May.

I am 90% positive that this is hardware related. There are few ways to be sure.

First you need to stop the reboots:

Right-click on My Computer
Properties
Advanced Tab
Under Startup & Recovery click Settings
Under System Failure uncheck "Automatically Restart"

Does this stop the rebooting?

Sweet · Hooker

If you can get the PC (the new Dell) to boot long enough. Email me your memory dumps.

They are located in C:\WINDOWS\Minidump

Email all of them since some might be corrupted. krislr1@hotmail.com

Sweet · Hooker

One more thing. You can run some hardware diagnostic tools to confirm that this hardware related. What kind of proof does Dell want to fix this under warranty?

Sweet · Hooker

Operator13 wrote:

One minor little problem, on boot I get message the CD isn't ATAPI compatabile [ 3 beeps after POST]. On the box it says it is though WTF? AT least it'll read but I haven't gotten sound out of it yet (Yes I hooked up the analog wire to the sound card).

Which pc is that happening with? The 98?

Operator13 · TC's Number One Fan

Sweet Titts wrote:

Operator13 wrote: They say it's a software issue. Not covered by warrenty unless harware. This is only second time all day it's stayed on for 5 minutes. I restored to an even earlier point in May. I am 90% positive that this is hardware related. There are few ways to be sure. First you need to stop the reboots: Right-click on My Computer Properties Advanced Tab Under Startup & Recovery click Settings Under System Failure uncheck "Automatically Restart" Does this stop the rebooting?

Didn't help, tried with Dell Tsupport

Operator13 · TC's Number One Fan

Sweet Titts wrote:

If you can get the PC (the new Dell) to boot long enough. Email me your memory dumps. They are located in C:\WINDOWS\Minidump Email all of them since some might be corrupted. krislr1@hotmail.com

NEVR knew about memory dumps. I'll try when I get home.

The beeps were from the 98 machine. Installed new drivers & now I have sound and drive seems to work fine but still get beeps after POST.

Dell hasn't been clear about what they want, I'm going to call them again tomorrow. I thought after our last conversation they sent out the disk but they haven't.

Thanks for the help, I'll e-mail the mem dump if I can get the system to stay on long enough.