XP restarts after loading, can't install

Hi Alex,
First thing I suggest is to get a new CMOS battery. Next, go into the BIOS/Startup settings, load the "setup defaults ". Look for the setting "Quick POST" (it may be easier to look through your motherboard manual and it may have different terminology). Set it to disabled (full POST). Another setting to look for is "Plug and Play OS ", set this to No for Win XP (although not a likely cause for the problems). If the BIOS has a menu "Autodetect Hard Drives ", run that (you need to say "y" for correct information). If and when you get the system stable go back to the BIOS settings and try loading "Optimal Defaults" (or wording like that). Make certain to "Save" at Exit.

Check the temperatures in the "Enviroment" menu.

The other area is that maybe the HDD has a problem in the Boot Sector. If you run out of other options, run a low-level (zero) format on the harddrive. Most HDD manufacturer's utilities have it (I don't think WD's do though, in which case you could use a program like KillDisk and repartition and format using the HDD manufaturer's utilities).

If it still won't work, you will need to look at all the basic hardware. There are memory diagnostics in my signature. You will need to try another graphics card (at least to see if Windows will install), disconnect the CD and Floppy drives (copy the Windows folder from the CD to your HDD and run it from there) and don't even underestimate that it could be the keyboard or mouse.

Last place, the motherboard, look for signs of swelling or leakage on the capacitors.

Luck
Matt
Edit: also check in the BIOS settings for built-in hardware (eg. LAN or soundcard) and try disabling those.

 

faulty motherboard?

Hi Matt

Thank you for your advise. I followed your instructions and this might sound crazy but the first thing I did was to replace the USB optical mouse with the original PS2 mouse and somehow this allowed for the Windows XP installation to complete. I then proceeded to install Windows XP SP2 but as soon as I restarted the PC it was back to "square 1â€. The system shuts down either just before or as soon as windows launches… It then reboots and works only in safe mode.
I tried where possible every suggestion you made (different HDD, different graphics card and BIOS settings) but I didn’t have any luck.
I’m definitively not a computer expert but at this point I can only think of a faulty motherboard (it’s just a gut feeling). I’ll keep you posted.
Many thanks

Alex

 

In Safe Mode, look in Device Manager for any problems listed. If the system has a RAID controller, don't bother installing the drivers if you are not using a RAID setup.

Did you get the opportunity to install the motherboard/chipset drivers?

Did you check if there was any hardware that could be disabled in the BIOS? It sounds very similar to this computer of mine. It would only boot into Safe Mode. I am quite sure it was a resource conflict between the graphics and the onboard LAN. I put in a PCI LAN card (NIC) and disabled the onboard LAN.

Test the RAM by just running one stick at a time.

If you still cannot pinpoint anything, look for a BIOS upgrade at Fujitsu Seimens. The two things to be careful of are to make sure it is the one for your model and to follow the instructions carefully.

Matt

 

Faulty Motherboard

Hi Matt

A closer inspection of the motherboard revealed at least 7 blown capacitors. I didn't notice them the first time because the fan was obstructing the view.
Anyway I replaced it and the the PC is flying. many thanks for your advise and help.

take care

Alex

 

Good spotting Pity, but now it seems like all is A okay again. Thanks for letting us know.

Matt