Looking for a guess as to what might be wrong?

[Ted]

Everytime I turn my computer on at the house, it freezes up. It has Windows XP. It will go through a screen that asks if you want to go to a setup menu or reboot menu, but freezes as soon as that is done. Any clues as to what might be happening or ideas of a possible fix? TIA

[ceyko]

[QUOTE=Ted]Everytime I turn my computer on at the house, it freezes up. It has Windows XP. It will go through a screen that asks if you want to go to a setup menu or reboot menu, but freezes as soon as that is done. Any clues as to what might be happening or ideas of a possible fix? TIA[/QUOTE]

Is it like a BIOS/CMOS/whatever menu, or windows safe mode type menu?

Take care,

[Ted]

[QUOTE=ceyko]Is it like a BIOS/CMOS/whatever menu, or windows safe mode type menu?

Take care,[/QUOTE]
I don't think so, it just freezes to with either the hourglass or the pointer is in the middle, nothing can be done once this happens.

[ceyko]

So, you get a mouse pointer at least? Try boot into safe mode. Using F8...pretty much from the moment it powers up, keep tapping it...

Once there you can try the basics, like a chkdsk, look for driver problems etc. After that, I'd recommend using safe mode (if it works) to backup your data and then reload XP, repatch...etc

Take care,

[Ted]

[QUOTE=ceyko]So, you get a mouse pointer at least? Try boot into safe mode. Using F8...pretty much from the moment it powers up, keep tapping it...

Once there you can try the basics, like a chkdsk, look for driver problems etc. After that, I'd recommend using safe mode (if it works) to backup your data and then reload XP, repatch...etc

Take care,[/QUOTE]
Thanks, I'll try that. 1 thing, I did some kind of test in the reboot menu, it always says there is something wrong with an IDE? Any clue what that is?

[ceyko]

Yeah, that's what your hard drive connects to. Could be the controller, motherboard and/or cable. To keep it easy, open your case (assuming not under warranty) and make sure all cables are seated well.

If that fails, I'd actually recommend finding someone local to check it out in person. It might be a mobo problem or a cable problem. Either way, it'll require some troubleshooting. No offense, but you don't seem like a geek. You can learn, but you should probably do so with someone there who knows hardware a little. Plus, a seperate machine to test your drives and stuff can't hurt.

I personally can't recommend a shop...since they'll charge a lot and probably reload your setup prior to actually checking for a hardware problem. That's why I recommend a friend..or "Chris" from the board might be a good start. (See his sticky in this forum)

Take care,

[Ted]

[QUOTE=ceyko]Yeah, that's what your hard drive connects to. Could be the controller, motherboard and/or cable. To keep it easy, open your case (assuming not under warranty) and make sure all cables are seated well.

If that fails, I'd actually recommend finding someone local to check it out in person. It might be a mobo problem or a cable problem. Either way, it'll require some troubleshooting. No offense, but you don't seem like a geek. You can learn, but you should probably do so with someone there who knows hardware a little. Plus, a seperate machine to test your drives and stuff can't hurt.

I personally can't recommend a shop...since they'll charge a lot and probably reload your setup prior to actually checking for a hardware problem. That's why I recommend a friend..or "Chris" from the board might be a good start. (See his sticky in this forum)

Take care,[/QUOTE]
cool, i was trying to see if there could possibly be a halfway easy fix before having it checked out. Thanks for your help.

[ceyko]

Easy.....
1. Check cabling...make sure nothing is damaged in the case or half-ass seated.

2. Try to get into safe mode and ensure no funky stuff under device manager.

Past that, you'll have to enlist some help. If it is an old machine, you'll likely be better off buying a new machine....depending on the problem.

Take care,