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Computer Problem, Please Help. Boot Up Issue

U

upsidedown

Junior Member
I have an older Dell 400sc. All was well until recently when I started having strange booting issues.

If I shutdown and then tried to reboot using the Power button, the computer would freeze at various parts of the process. Sometimes before the Dell boot screen. Sometimes during the Windows XP startup.

Sometimes I would get strange system messages before anything and it would tell me to contact Dell.

If I leave the computer off and unplugged for about 30 minutes it will usually boot. Also, if I do a shutdow / restart from within Windows XP it works.

I am thinking the mb is shot but looking for confirmation before deciding to dispose or repair this machine.
 
The 30min time frame suggests a thermal problem, will boot when cold.

Since it will do a warm boot (restart), my guess is it is the power supply. Not enough juice to spin up the drives and power the rest of the system at the same time when hot. Psu fan working? All psus suffer a performance loss with age.
 
One additional piece of info. When I try to boot immediately without unplugging and giving the computer time, I get messages like:

  • A variety of error messages such as checkpoint math, PnP6, checkpoint poke,check point shut, and flashes the screen and bleeps with a messages saying to contact dell support
  • Sometimes a freeze when it says Windows did not shut down properly and did I want to boot to safe mode (freezes during the clock countdown).

I am also thinking a CMOS / motherboard issue.

I suppose I will try replacing the PSU first.
 
I try a new power supply and I also would verify that the CPU fan is working correctly and cleaned for maximum cooling efficiency.

Oh reading your last reply it looks like your mobo is dieing also.

 
What version of Windows you running? Can you boot to safemode with no problems? Check the event viewer for and error messages that might help. Also run msconfig from the run prompt and try a diagnostic startup.
 
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