| User | Post |
HyperLamer
Posts: 4083/8210 |
That's definetely worth looking at. A faulty power supply could cause random power switch activations, and if there weren't enough power to a certain part there could be all sorts of problems. I had one (fortunately, not actually in a computer, just being used for messing with electronics) that started out by just not powering some lines, then eventually died entirely. (Complete with sparks.  ) |
Smallhacker
Posts: 1492/2273 |
Like I mentioned in the first post, I haven't ruled out the possibility of the power thingie, since I have had some troubles which has been most likely caused by it... (More info in my "I belive that my computer is haunted" thread.) |
Proto K
Posts: 245/279 |
Could be a dying / close to dead hard drive.
With my last hard drive I had gradual problems of booting up that eventually got worse and worse, until it wouldn't start at all. |
MetalMan88
Posts: 109/232 |
It's a long shot, but maybe your problem lies in a faulty power supply?
After all, I've had one melt on me, and the next one inexplicably exploded.
If you have a broken one, it can do such things as make the power button stop working correctly, cause errors, cause the computer to reboot endlessly when you turn it off (until you attempt to get the broken power button to work), and the like. Of course, you can't boot up to try it, but it might be the problem. It would also explain why seperate symptoms could be experienced on an old 133 MHz computer and a newer XP one. |
Smallhacker
Posts: 1490/2273 |
| Partition: | Status | Kind | Volume name | MB | System | Used | | C: 1 | | PRI DOS | HP_RECOVERY | 4969 | FAT32 | 4% | | 2 | A | NTFS | | 10949 | 4 | 96 |
System 4?
Status A?
Can anyone tell me what those two are supposed to mean?
I'll try those NTFS links you gave me.
Edit: NTFSDOS just caused the screen to be filled i with "l"s. |
Phoenix21692
Posts: 23/34 |
All right. It looks like you got an HP computer there. I think HP is known for not have recovery discs. You gotta watch out for that. And it looks like you have you do have an NTFS system. How to find out? You have your WinME startup disk, right? Boot the computer up with the disk. At the command prompt, type in fdisk and confirm yes for NTFS drives (if displayed) and yes for Large disk support. Type "4" and press Enter. Information will be shown about your hard drive. Your XP Partition might be displayed as NTFS, anyways.
By the way, there are third-party utilties that allow access to NTFS under DOS. e.g. NTFS-DOS, NTFS for Windows 98, etc.
For more info, go to these links:
http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/ntfsdos.shtml
http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/ntfswin98.shtml |
Smallhacker
Posts: 1489/2273 |
I think that it's FAT32, but I'm not sure. It just stopped starting up today when my bro was going to use it.
Also, the ME bootdisk didn't work too well... When I tried to get a directory listing of C:/, it gave me the name "HP_RECOVERY", which is D:/'s name. It showed that the total size of the disk is around 480, which I belive was the size of D:/. It showed 0 kb when it came to used space, though. There were two folders in there, "SYSTEM~1" and "M-something". They were empty. Maybe I've got NTFS after all...?
Anyway... I can't really think right now... I'd better get some sleep and try again tomorrow... |
Phoenix21692
Posts: 21/34 |
Was your XP system installed on a FAT32 or NTFS partition?. If it was installed on an NTFS partition, you won't be able to use the WindowsME startup disk to access your XP Partition. Since when did it stop starting up? Did you get a power surge?
For bootdisks, go to http://www.bootdisk.com |
neotransotaku
Posts: 2866/4016 |
there are sites with images of boot disks if the one for ME doesn't work (if I recall, you can't make a boot disk for ME without installing another software to make it for you). just do a search on google for them... |
Smallhacker
Posts: 1487/2273 |
Maybe I wasn't detailed enough... The reboot happens precisely before (or in rare occations, precisely after) the "loading with logo" screen appears. Also, the computer didn't come with an installaton CD...
I've tried to make a Knoppix disc earlier (I was making an essay for school about Linux), but the CDs I tried to make never worked. Also, the computer that broke down is the one with the CD burner. 
Anyway... I'll try to make an ME startup disk. Thanks for the suggestion. |
Jesper
Posts: 2352/2390 |
If you have a Windows XP disc, just boot from that and it will allow you to repair your current setup. Won't do you any good if it's because of strange drivers or something, but if it's due to corruption of system files then it'll fix it (although it doesn't sound like it; those errors usually come when you get the indeterminate progress bar and the XP logo).
It's possible to get a "DOS floppy" if you create a system startup disk from Windows 98 or ME; however if your HD is formatted in NTFS (most likely) that won't help you the least. Knoppix, a Linux distribution designed to be run from a single CD, can deal with NTFS drives reasonably, so if you manage to narrow it down to a single few files, you can download the Knoppix CD image (ISO file), burn it, boot up with it. You can also use it to salvage files from the HD before reformatting if you use the Samba utility in Knoppix to create Windows shares, which enables you to copy the files from your HD to another computer on the network. |
Smallhacker
Posts: 1485/2273 |
I've got an idea, but lack enough knowledge... Isn't it possible to put DOS on a floppy, jam it into the computer and boot from it, so that I can copy files to it?
Is it possible and if so, where can I download DOS or whatever fits? (Something small is preferred, since floppys only can be 1.4 mb large...) |
blackhole89
Posts: 636/971 |
Well, I am currently encountering exactly the same problem... except that the subject is a 133 MHz compy with Win98SE on it that is located in the redactional bureau / pac man gaming room of the school newspaper I am working for which was occasionally left switched on (it has passive cooling only) throughout the easter holidays (one and a half week). It starts off as usual, but after the safe mode stuff menu it only displays the 98 boot screen for a while, and reboots right after.
 ;;; |
Smallhacker
Posts: 1481/2273 |
Right... All of sudden, my XP computer won't start up. When I try, it gives me a "Startup/Start in safe mode/etc" menu. Whatever I choose, it reboots. There's no chance for me to check what's wrong, or if there has been any data loss. Also, my stupid recovery program won't work unless Windows can be started.
Can anyone guess what the problem is?
Oh, also... I've had problems with hibernate (sp?) mode. The computer sometimes turns on itself if I put it in that. It might be a problem with the electricity thingamajjik... Could the reboots be related to this? |
