Computer slow to start and then it restarts

[Martyuk39]

It's a self-build Asus M2NVP-M with 2x1GB Elixir RAM

Basically for the last 3 days it takes an age to boot into XP Pro then powers off after a few minutes.

I thought I'd cracked it by running memtest which identified a bad stick of RAM. But the problem still persists. Just about starts but before all the desktop items are loaded it shuts down and reboots.

I can go into safe mode and happily do file maintenance, but can't do a thing in normal mode. Nothing's been loaded on recently.

I've tried System Restore, going back a couple of weeks, but it hasn't made any difference

All suggestions gratefully received!

 

[drjman]

In safe mode make sure that the option to restart on error (BSOD) is not checked. It should then at least give you an error reason that will help you track down the real problem. You can find it by right clicking on my computer and selecting the advanced tab then click on settings for "startup and recovery" make sure the box labeled "automatically restart" is unchecked under the "system failure" section.

 

[Martyuk39]

Thanks - I'll check that out. I've just this minute packed away the computer in question (my workshop doubles as my dining room!) but I'll dig it out later on

 

[drjman]

cool, yeah my dining room is my gaming room half the time. My my absolutely loves it.

 

[Martyuk39]

It was a big meal!

It decided not to restart but just to crash. So I did as much as I could in safe mode but then had to reformat. I think spyware inadvertently installed by a 10-year-old was the culprit.

Thanks
Martin