Computer tests memory..then freezes at boot

evannevann
edited February 2004 in Hardware
On the first boot after being cooled down for a while, this computer freezes after it "checks memory." this computer should Test/Check memory and list how much there is, and then usually list other specs..and it does this all relatively quickly if you restart from windows. However, like i stated before, this computer will freeze right after memory check on thef irst boot of the day or after it has been off for a while. I have no idea what could be wrong

memory pulled and inserted again, insides completely dusted out, hd pulled and inserted again, cpu temp normally 46c..SMART test says HD has almost full fitness and completely full performance. What else could cause such a freeze at boot?

Comments

  • leishi85leishi85 Grand Rapids, MI Icrontian
    edited January 2004
    Check your memory with a memory tester.

    http://www.memtest86.com/
  • Geeky1Geeky1 University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
    edited January 2004
    If it won't boot, testing the ram will be difficult...

    Try clearing the cmos for starters. If that works, THEN run memtest on it.
  • muddocktormuddocktor
    edited January 2004
    For a real quick and dirty memory test, just disable quick POST in bios and set the bios to halt at all errors. If it passes that, then download memtest86 that leishi85 linked to and run the app.
  • evannevann
    edited January 2004
    it DOES boot..you just have to reset like 4-5 times before it will get past the freezing. i have no floppies in the house)= memtest has to be run from dos eh?
  • muddocktormuddocktor
    edited January 2004
    If you do a quick search here, you will find a link to an ISO that will set up a bootable cd with memtest on it.
  • Geeky1Geeky1 University of the Pacific (Stockton, CA, USA)
    edited January 2004
    What he needs is this:
    http://www.t4k.org/~ebcd/

    Download the pro version. It'll create an iso that you then burn to a cd; Nero will make it bootable automatically, but winxp's integrated burning software didn't make a bootable cd out of it...
  • evannevann
    edited January 2004
    k found a floppy..everytime I run the install batch file, the program window just flashes on the screen and is closed..it does not prompt me for anything
  • leishi85leishi85 Grand Rapids, MI Icrontian
    edited January 2004
    or he can use go to the page i linked, and scroll down to
    NEW! - ISO images suitable for creating a bootable Memtest86 CDROM
    Download - Memtest86 v3.0 ISO image (zip)

    bootable memtes86 on cdrom.

    EDIT, SINCE HE FOUND A FLOPPY

    Did u download the Pre-Compiled Memtest86 v3.0 installable from Windows and DOS??
  • mmonninmmonnin Centreville, VA
    edited January 2004
    http://www.memtest86.com/memtest86-3.0.iso.zip
  • polarys425polarys425 Harrisonburg, VA
    edited January 2004
    if your computer fails memtest, dont assume that the memory is immediately at fault. test the memory in another computer if it fails.

    i have an Asus slot A board that used to freeze at start-up when checking the memory. It turned out to be the board itself. On a hunch, i replaced the capacitors in the immediate area of the ram slots, and the problem was cured.
  • evannevann
    edited January 2004
    memtest says no errors..ran for a long time....so maybe mobo?
  • polarys425polarys425 Harrisonburg, VA
    edited January 2004
    what brand and model board is it?
  • mattlindmattlind Atlanta
    edited February 2004
    I have the same problem after an installation of windows 2000. :bawling:
    Here are the specs

    Motherboard = Asus A7N8X-X
    RAM = Infineon 512MB PC3200
    CPU = Athlon 2700+
    Harddrive = 7200 Maxtor 40gb
    HeatSink = Thermaltake Volcano 10
    CPU Grease = Artic Silver III
    Shim = Thermaltake Copper Shim
    Video Card = ATI Rage Fury Pro (Testing Purposes waiting on delivery)
    Power Supply = 300W AMD Recommended

    Problem Recap:
    Computer displays desktop (no icons, just the mouse and green background). The mouse is enabled but the OS never goes to the complete desktop (i.e. My Computer ...etc.) .

    Solution Attempts:
    I ran Memtest86 3.0 and Windows Memory Diagnostic to test the RAM they both came back clean. :banghead:

    Please Help!

    Thanx to all.
  • ketoketo Occupied. Or is it preoccupied? Icrontian
    edited February 2004
    Unless you have critical data you need to recover, Windows reinstall possibly? Windows2000-> chipset/LAN driver -> SP4 ->windows updates->video drivers (which likely aren't necessary with that old vid card)
  • edcentricedcentric near Milwaukee, Wisconsin Icrontian
    edited February 2004
    Is everything running stock speeds and voltages?
    I have a box that the PSU doesn't regulate real well when cold. I had to tweak voltage settings in order to get it to boot cleanly every time.
  • mattlindmattlind Atlanta
    edited February 2004
    I think it may be a memory compatibility problem.

    Check this and tell me what you think.

    Asus Board Memory

    Thanks
  • Straight_ManStraight_Man Geeky, in my own way Naples, FL Icrontian
    edited February 2004
    mattlind wrote:
    I have the same problem after an installation of windows 2000. :bawling:
    Here are the specs

    Motherboard = Asus A7N8X-X
    RAM = Infineon 512MB PC3200
    CPU = Athlon 2700+
    Harddrive = 7200 Maxtor 40gb
    HeatSink = Thermaltake Volcano 10
    CPU Grease = Artic Silver III
    Shim = Thermaltake Copper Shim
    Video Card = ATI Rage Fury Pro (Testing Purposes waiting on delivery)
    Power Supply = 300W AMD Recommended

    Problem Recap:
    Computer displays desktop (no icons, just the mouse and green background). The mouse is enabled but the OS never goes to the complete desktop (i.e. My Computer ...etc.) .

    Solution Attempts:
    I ran Memtest86 3.0 and Windows Memory Diagnostic to test the RAM they both came back clean. :banghead:

    Please Help!

    Thanx to all.

    Video and HD problems can also cause this. So can a computer with a corrupt explore.exe or what it needs, or a corrupt registry, or a combo of these things. This can be a multiple-cause thing. The RAM issues discussed above can also play a part, but are not only base cause.

    john d.
  • JengoJengo Pasco, WA | USA
    edited February 2004
    im thinking its your Harddrive, yeah i know it sounds WHACKo, but trust me i have seen strager things,

    On my old Compaq it did the same things when i put a faulty harddrive in it, it would just sit there trying to figure out what the hell was wrong with itself, it would keep testing its memory

    i would reboot about 3 times until it actually post

    SOLUTION:

    get a new harddrive/ or a different one and try it out and see if thats the problem, cause i might be wrong....
  • profdlpprofdlp The Holy City Of Westlake, Ohio
    edited February 2004
    Jengo wrote:
    ...im thinking its your Harddrive...
    That was my thought, too. After the memory test, most BIOS's scan for drives on IDE channels. A HD not spinning up right would do exactly what you describe. You say it boots after 4-5 resets. That may be because it gives the drive more time to spin up.

    A quick and easy test is to disconnect the hard drive (power off first!). If it doesn't hang at the place it normally does it will probably reach a point where it complains about not finding a boot drive. If that's the case, get the diagnostic program from your HD manufacturer.
  • mattlindmattlind Atlanta
    edited February 2004
    Thanks to all!

    I changed HD and all is good

    :celebrate
    :cheers:
  • JengoJengo Pasco, WA | USA
    edited February 2004
    Problem sovled by my 1337 mishaps, I mean SKILLZ

    :wink:
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