Random Computer Meltdown

[Ninju]

I looked for leaking/exploded capacitors, I can't see any, didn't really have time to do anything else over the weekend so, I still need to try all of the other stuff suggested.

By the way, my current (450W PSU) is a model called "Win Power" if anyone knows anything about those PSUs... my other 300W PSU is a no-name. I'll report back when I've done something else.. I will probably have the time to do everything Thursday/Friday evening, until then, I'm pretty busy.

[Ninju]

UPDATE...

I took my computer in to get fixed, instead the guy suggested loads of stuff I can do myself to try and fix the problem, but, I have hit an obstacle. Computer does boot by floppy, ignore what I said before, it's a long story - basically, I was being retarded.

He said that it is more likely to be a software issue, but, if reformatting and reinstalling Windows obviously, it is probably a hardware problem.

He told me to do this (I can't remember clearly what he said so something might be in the right order) -

Insert Windows 98 Boot Disk

A:/>Fdisk [return]
Select 1 - Create primary partition
[reboot]

A:/>Format C:
[reboot]

A:/>Fdisk
Select 3 - Delete partition
[reboot]

A:/>Scandisk
Leave it to search my harddrive for bad sectors.

Pressing Y wherever a question with a Y or N was asked.

First step - works fine.
Second step, I type: "Format C:" doesn't work. Comes up with the error "Bad file name or command".

Basically, I can't do what he said because of this. But, here is the other issue - I used the Windows 98 SE Installation disk, went to reinstall windows, it reccomended that I reformatted the C drive, so, I did.

After it had finished, two error messages come up in a continous loop scrolling down/up the screen with a blue background, something along the lines of:

"The A20! line could not be supported
The XMS driver is not installed!"

The solution to this problem may be the key?

Also, I took my computer to PC World to be fixed, they told me that I would need a PC restore done (£29.99), but because I didn't have the Windows 2000 Update CD (the official version just a copy), they couldn't do anything but said I could try continously pressing the F10 button or F11 (dependant upon my machine) to do a restore myself... She then said, if that doesn't work the problem is unfixable - thoughts on this?

I need responses ASAP because, I will take the Computer back to the shop to get fixed possibly on Wednesday or Thursday if I have had no progress.

[the main lobe]

I just came across a similar problem but in WinXP. Fortunately I had spare drives and reinstalled Windows on a spare. After reinstalling on the spare I had to copy the msimg32.dll, which had somehow been messed up, over to the system32 folder of the old install. This allowed me to boot to my old install. If you do this procedure and install Windows onto a drive letter that is lower, (i.e. my new Windows install is on c: and my old on d: ) you will have to add the old install back to the list in the bootloader.

I did have the same symptoms though. It would reset as Windows was loading in both normal and safe modes. The resets were happening just as you described in your first post.

[Ninju]

Problem Fixed, so, how do you delete threads then? Sorry if this is a really big n00b question.