PC freezes just as Windows Logo appears

[spartacus321]

Hey all,

I recently put together a new system for someone, here are some of the main specs:

MSI KM3M motherboard
AMD Athlon XP2000+ CPU
256MB PC2700 DDR RAM
CDRW/DVD Combo Drive
80GB Seagate Hard Drive
64MB ATI AGP Card
56K Modem
Floppy
Etc...
ATX Case with 300W PS

Here's what happened....

I was able to install Windows XP just fine, the entire process goes well, but upon XP's first boot where the logo appears and the 3 blue dots scroll just under the logo, the PC freezes.

I tried swapping drives, redoing the install, etc., nothing helped until I swapped the 300W PS with a 400W PS.

Im happy that fixed the problem but what i'm a bit puzzled about is the system locking up at that point just before the Win XP GUI loads. How come it worked fine thru the install process etc. but froze at just that point?

Anyone ever experienced this before or anyone can help me understand what went wrong?

 

[Zepper]

Is that a quality brand PSU, or a cheap no-name??? More than likely there lies your answer.

.bh.

:sun:

 

[MichaelD]

When you see the splash screen, Windows is initializing drivers, applying settings, etc. All this takes up power and it requires stable power. Cheap powersupplies worked fine five years ago, but no more.

The rig you built is not a power-sucking rig at all. Actually (looking over list again) you really don't need a Mondo PS for it, BUT a cheap PS will be a killer every time.


Not aimed at you in particular, but a general comment on what I've seen: It's amazing how some people will spend $3K on top-notch components and then purchase a $35 powersupply. There's a reason that Antec/Enermax/Sparkle/PowerPC & Cooling are 3x the price of the others. you get what you pay for.

Glad your problem is fixed.

 

[spartacus321]

Thanks for your input on the topic.

I agree fully with your point MichaelD... I've started building up systems for people about a year and a half now and the main thing here most people go for is a low budget system.

The PS was infact a cheap one, the case and 300W PS came up to about $30USD.

Problem is, here in Trinidad, there's the cheap/affordable, and then there's the expensive better brand name stuff, and when I say expensive... I often wish I lived in the US to get cheap PC parts... even expensive in the US is gonna be miles cheaper than here!

I also tried a 350W PS with no luck, and then the 400W which eventually worked. Both were cheap ones as well but it seems that I was lucky on the 3rd attempt.

Think I will order a few cases or PS's off the net pretty soon!

But point taken and thanks again for the help!

 

[GprophetB]

heads up to you, i work on IBM netvistas all the time for work . Ive had the exact problem your reffering to on about 20+ (no joke i swapped that many) machines.... the problem is the motherboard on the machines

the capacitors get old crack and end up leaking, and that results in the same problem as you are having

just FYI bud

good luck and take care

 

[spartacus321]

Originally posted by: GprophetB
heads up to you, i work on IBM netvistas all the time for work . Ive had the exact problem your reffering to on about 20+ (no joke i swapped that many) machines.... the problem is the motherboard on the machines

the capacitors get old crack and end up leaking, and that results in the same problem as you are having

just FYI bud

good luck and take care

Now that you mentioned that my first thought on the problem before the PS was the motherboard... It was the first time that i'd used a KM3M motherboard, I usually use a KM2M-L which works great all the time.

I delivered the PC yesterday so within a few weeks/months i'll see how the feedback goes and if any problems arise.

Sorry to hear you had to deal with this problem 20 fold! That must have been a pain!