... sort of, at least.

My computer has been having trouble starting lately. It will give me this screen that says basically nothing except that it's having trouble starting, and then give me options of how I want to start it up (normal, safe mode, or last known good configuration). Most of the time, no matter which I try, it'll just bring me right back around to that screen.

Every once and a while, though, it'll successfully start all the way. But still it'll sometimes suddenly restart while I'm using it. Which is why I say it's not just a startup problem.

I'm using Windows XP, and the brand of my computer is eMachines. Do you have an ideas what might be causing the problem, and/or what I might do to fix it? Please keep in mind when replying that I know very little about computers so might require more explanation than more computer-savvy folks might.

And I realize this hasn't been that detailed an explanation, but I'm not that good at describing it. If there's something more you need to know before forming a hypothesis, let me know.

Thanks!

How old is the computer?

When did the problem start happening?

Did you recently add any new hardware, or make any changes to the hardware?

It will give me this screen that says basically nothing except that it's having trouble starting, and then give me options of how I want to start it up (normal, safe mode, or last known good configuration). Most of the time, no matter which I try, it'll just bring me right back around to that screen.That is the boot menu. You can get to it intentionally by pressing a certain key at startup. But since you didn't do that, I'm assuming you got the one that says something to the effect of "Windows did not fully boot up last time. As a safety feature and diagnostic, please choose how you want to start up." Is this correct?

If that is the screen I'm thinking of, then what would happen if you did start up successfully, and then restarted right away? Would it still bring up that same boot menu the first time?

If it's restarting while you're using it, it could be overheating, or it could be any number of other failures (including almost any piece of hardware in there). Since you said you aren't computer savvy, then I'm pretty sure it isn't overheating, because I doubt you'd be pushing it hard enough.

There are really so many possibilities that it's hard to say without a little more info, and some trial and error.

Every once and a while, though, it'll successfully start all the way. But still it'll sometimes suddenly restart while I'm using it. Which is why I say it's not just a startup problem.

Take it to you're nearest local Computer shop. If it's still under warranty, use it. Other wise get someone who knows what they're doing to have a butchers at it.

I'll tell you the reason: fixing it is going to get technical, there's no specific fault indicator going on with here and the causes can be many and various - anything from a corrupted batch initiation file to a virus.

If you've made any major changes to your system lately, describe them, perhaps someone can maybe noodle the problem out. But the point is, doing the tech support thing under these circumstances is going to be trial and error, long winded and frustrating.

You want your machine to work back up and running, with something as all encompassing as this you're better off taking it to the shop and getting someone to poke around under the hood as it were. Really.

How old is the computer?

I think it's about three years old. Maybe more, but not by much.

When did the problem start happening?

Three days ago.

Did you recently add any new hardware, or make any changes to the hardware?

No. Somebody did just tell me it's possible that my fans are dusty, though.

That is the boot menu. You can get to it intentionally by
pressing a certain key at startup. But since you didn't do that, I'm assuming you got the one that says something to the effect of
"Windows did not fully boot up last time. As a safety feature and diagnostic, please choose how you want to start up." Is this
correct?

I got one that said something to the effect of "We apologize for the inconvenience, but Windows was unable to start successfully. It's possible that a hardware or software change is responsible." And then it says some stuff explaining why I might want to go with the various options (but none of it really applies to my situation).

If that is the screen I'm thinking of, then what would happen if you did start up successfully, and then restarted right away? Would it still bring up that same boot menu the first time?

It sounds like we're talking about different screens, but as it is it seems that when I intentionally restart it it goes fine. I can't remember for sure, though. Also, I'm pretty sure that any of the times it's gotten all the way on and then restarted without permission it's done the restart fine.

Three days ago.

Better. On successful start up got to: Start>All Programmes>Accessories>System Tools>System Restore.

System Restore will open. The option "Retore My Computer To An Earlier Time" will already be selected, if not do so and click Next.

You will see a calender. Pick a date which has a Restore Point saved on it that preceeds the date you first noticed the problem starting - this will be pre- Agust 25th in you case.

Just click on a date to highlight it, press next and follow on with the rest of the wizard answering yes to everything. You're computer will shut-down and re-boot. If the computer reboots properly with no problems, after you're done shut her down properly and start her up again.

Does this solve the problem?

I have to admit I usually jump to the conclusion in these instances that it sounds like a Harddrive failure. The more crashes that occur the more likely it will not boot up correctly since they usually add yet more errors to the drive.

The sorts of things that would define if it is or isn't would be:

Have you ran a "Scandisk" on your main drive? (Scandisk can attempt to fix some of the errors created through corrupted bootups)
How much space is left on your main drive? (too little and it will cause problems, although I'm sure it would raise a message telling you that)

Other than that Mr Anonymous is probably right about getting someone who knows what to look for, to take a peak at it.

I agree that it sounds like a hard drive failure. If it still happens after Mr Anonymous's idea of system restore, then that would probably be my top suspect. I suggest backing up all your important data if you haven't already. Just in case.

Post Script.....

Assuming trying system restore yields a positive result, and even if it doesn't, both Mr Stryder and Mr Rubric's instincts are most generally bang on the money most times first off the bat, so always worth the consideration - a problem with you're hard dive could be the underlying cause of you're problem here, but I'd personally qualify it as being more of a problem concerning the actual state the data stored on your hard drive is currently in, rather than the drive itself being knackered first off.

If, as you say, you're not all that computery then the chances are you may never had either cause or reason to run Disk Defragmenter, the net result being the data on your hard drive, including the current registry file you're computer needs to boot, is fragmented to buggery.

High fragmentation of stored data means the system has to search all over the hard drive just to find all the various bits and pieces which make up any given file stored on the drive - this not only takes the system time but also leads to read and write errors which, if its something like the Registry or any of the other files your needs to boot, buggers up the whole process and gets it to stall.

Equally, failed boots leave errors on the hard drive which, if the data there is fragmented, means they get distributed wherever there's free space to store them, often times right in and amongst data which is otherwise sound and this can lead to subsequent hangs, shutdowns and what have you.

If for no other reason than, if you do do the Take It To The Computer Shop Route and be faced with the prospect first of some balding chap shaking his head sadly at you and making sucking noises through his teeth upon looking at the health of you're hard drive - try the following.

Go to: My Computer - find the icon for your (main) Drive C and right-click on it once. Select Properties, its at the bottom of the context menu that opens up, and from the multi-tabbed window that open after you select Properties choose the Tools Tab.

You'll find two tools: Error Checking and Defragmentation.

From Error Checking click on the Check Now button. A dialogue will open up with two unticked boxes - Automatically Fix File System Errors and Scan For And Attempt Recovery Of Bad Sectors. Tick both these boxes and click Start.

A window will open informing you that next time you boot the computer scan disc will run. Restart the computer and let Scan disc do its sweet-funky. Instead of the normal boot procedure you'll get a blueish type screen with a countdown running on it informing you to press any key to cancel. Leave it to count down and go make a cup of coffee. This will be a full sweep of your hard drive, so it will take it a while to complete.

Any physical problems concerning your hard drive will show up through running this, in the meanwhile useless stuff will eliminated and this should help clean out any errors left in the bits your hard drive your computer uses to boot from.

As I say, it will take a while so leave it to it. After completed it should boot back up. Once everything's up and running again, go back to your hard drive's Properties dialogue and click on Defragment Now.

You should have a large window with your hard drive listed, click on it once to select and from the bottom of the page click Analyze - disc defragmenter will now read the content of your hard drive and show you a report, as well as generating a multicoloured bar graph showing the state of your stored data in various colours. Blue us good, Green is unmovable, Red is fragmented data.

If you've had this machine for three years or so and have never done this you'll be no doubt seeing a hell of a lot of Red bands cropping up throughout that bar graph. Don't let it alarm you unduly, its easy to fix.

Once Analysis has completed, irrespective of the outcome, click Defragment and once again leave the thing to it.

Again, this will take time, but as it runs you'll note that first a copy of the bar graph first produced through Analysis appears in the space bellow that display and then gradually, as the the progress bar gets longer and more complete, the display gradually eliminates all the Red bands and knits everything back together as a nice, even band of blue.

Once Defragmentation is complete that basically is it, the problem should be resolved.

If during its scan of the hard drive Scan Disc uncovered Bad Sectors from which data may have been unrecoverable, that indicates you have a failing hard drive and it needs replacing asap. Back up everything that matters to you off it onto CD or DVD and take it into the shop.

If Scan Disk found no bad bits, you've defragmented your drives data, you've done the system restore thing and you're still left with this starting up problem - off to the vets with it, it needs a pair of eyeballs actually looking at it to see whats going on.

Sorry for the length here, just want to make sure you have enough info to get the very basics sorted and it's reasonable reference material for anyone else with a similar problem to try for themselves first.

If, as one final piece of unsolicited advice, the above measures have resolved your problem, let us know. Once you're hard drive's been defraged and is error free, keep it that way and the problem should never recur.

After any failed boot, once running, run Scan Disc to clean up the problem. Just ticking the first option Fix Errors is usually sufficient. It's quicker. Once a fortnight run Disk Defragmenter over your drive to keep your nicely knitted together stored data nicely knitted and all together. Your system will run a lot smoother and error free. Plus, once you've gotten on top of it, its quicker to do so doing it regularly is the best way to go.

We hope's that helps with your problem.

A. :)

well, well, look who's back
hi, Mr Anonymous :)

Like the bad penny, I never stray too far from the purse...

Mind, with posts the absurd lengths I write them, hard to miss. In possibly both senses of the phrase I should imagine... ;)

Hello old man, I trust you're both well, happy and Windows free.

Thanks for the advice, everybody. As it turned out, the power supply went bad and was zapping my motherboard and processor. It took a long time for this to be discovered, which is why I've been absent from this thread for so long. I now have a new (used) computer, which I don't like a whole lot but is at least something I can use until I can get a better one. I'm mourning the death of my old one a bit, but I guess that happens...

Good feedback, Beryl.It is said that over half of inconsistent PC problems are power related. It get's overlooked if the PC turns ON.

Here's my standard troubleshooting procedure :

Power supply.How consistent is it? Requires a test meter.
Open up, dust out, check connections.
Use a diagnostic boot disk from here-on.Ultimate Boot CD (http://www.ubcd4win.com/contents.htm) does the trick
Check RAM.(Linux tool is on installation disk)RAM problems are random ;)
Check Hard Disk.
Check m/board

If nothing else, at least we know it's software related at this point & can go about getting a backup or reformatting etc.

:) .... so, the "Take It To The Computer Vet" option first time a round turned out to right after all, eh...?

By a bizarre coincidence I found myself pondering just this past ten minutes ago about how you ended up fairing with your start-up problems. Haven't been in this forum in over 24 hours, and viola - here you are.

I'm sorry your computer crapped out on you - if it's any consolation I developed a similar fault with a self build job I rigged up m'self - similar problems, fried the processor in the end, last thing I ever thought to check was the power supply (and that only occurred because the new board came with a proper set of General Fault Protection trips on it which kept the damaged power supply from frying anything)...

Expensive business finding out, I know, but I suppose it's how you live and learn.

Thanks awfully for letting us know one way or the other, and delighted at least to see you back again, problems not withstanding. All the best,

A ;)

:) .... so, the "Take It To The Computer Vet" option first time a round turned out to right after all, eh...?

Indeed. In the future if my computer starts doing something weird I'll bring it in right away. I've found out about a place now that will diagnose the problem for free, which makes it extra sensible to just bring it in rather than even trying to do anything about it myself.

:) ... If you've got the option, definitely. Go for it. Usually, an ATX (power unit) failure is relatively speaking pretty rare - I've only ever ran across the one, as described, consequently cracking the problem in your instance would have been nigh on impossible for you to diagnose at home unless you're particularly into electronics.

Still, rotten bad luck aside, at least you're older and wiser from the experience and have found yourself a somewhere to take your problems to and get them looked at thoroughly. A good computer shop is worth it's weight in gold frankly, put them on the Christmas card list.

Any chance of getting anything back on the original via the warranty or did it conveniently pack up only after your original sales cover expired?

Any chance of getting anything back on the original via the warranty or did it conveniently pack up only after your original sales cover expired?

Predictably, it didn't die until it was no longer under warranty.

Still, rotten bad luck aside, at least you're older and wiser from the experience and have found yourself a somewhere to take your problems to and get them looked at thoroughly. A good computer shop is worth it's weight in gold frankly, put them on the Christmas card list.



My parents run a computer repair shop, i even help out with it. But i never got any christmas cards :|