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Return of The Computer that Wouldn't Boot


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#1
DirePenguin

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Around a month ago I got help on this forum (Thanks Keith!) repairing my computer. The symptoms?

Hard locks.
Reboots
Blue Screens
Trap Exceptions
Corrupt System file errors
and eventually...
the moniter wouldn't even come out of hibernation mode when I turned on the computer - I heard no familiar startup beep, and the light, rather than green, was a baleful yellow...

Thankfully, after
Repairing Windows XP
Running CHKDSK
Running System File Check
and finally finding the right CD Key

The computer seemed to work fine. For a few days. After that, it relapsed into its old problems, but much less frequently. But no longer... the freezes and crashes have returned full force, and my computer won't even bring the monitor out of Hibernation more than half the time I turn the power on, much less boot all the way up.

Help me, Geeks to Go Forum Staff! You are my only hope!
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#2
Retired Tech

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How much RAM Memory and how many sticks?
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#3
DirePenguin

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640 MB, 4 sticks, RDRAM.

Edited by DirePenguin, 23 May 2006 - 09:02 PM.

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#4
Retired Tech

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If you are comfortable with opening the case, switch the PC off, unplug it, leave just the largest one in, or enough to run XP and then boot the PC
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#5
DirePenguin

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Photoshop exam tomorrow, time for me to hit the bed.

One question before I leave (I'll crack the case tomorrow) - I have a 512 pair and a 128 pair - if I have to chose, which is best to leave and which is best to remove?
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#6
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The 128 wouldn't run XP

Good luck with the exam
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#7
DirePenguin

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Removed the 128 MB pair of ram - the computer now beeps three times and then does nothing when I boot it.

I bought the computer with the 128 MB of RAM, then later upgraded to XP, which required more RAM, so I got the 512 mb pair.
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#8
Retired Tech

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That can be the video card not seated properly
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#9
DirePenguin

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The video card is secure.
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#10
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Can you remove the 512, put the 128 in slot 1 then boot the PC

If no change, put the memory back as it was then boot the PC
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#11
DirePenguin

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It still beeps. Odd.

Edit: RAM wasn't fully inserted. But it still doesn'bring the monitor out of hibernation or beep like it normally does on boot.

Edited by DirePenguin, 24 May 2006 - 01:57 PM.

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#12
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With the PC off, switch the monitor off completely then on again, do you have the orange standby light

Can you download memtest with another PC and run it on the problem one

http://www.memtest.org/#downiso
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#13
DirePenguin

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I still get the orange light when I turn the motitor on with the computer off.
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#14
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Will it boot to safe mode?
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#15
DirePenguin

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It doesn't respond to any command when the monitor's light is orange.

How do I use the Memtest86 program? Note that I have no floppy drive on this laptop. I might not be able to burn CDs, I dunno.
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