Re: CPU problems
Dale, Sounds like a hardware problem. It could be anything. What equipment do you have in the computer?<br /><br />Internal modem, network card, video card, I/O port card (Serial and Parallel ports), number of Hard drives, CD-ROMs, Floppy drives? What processor speed? Any other information would be helpful. Is it brand name, homebuilt, locally built?<br /><br />The difference between AT and ATX is the AT has a hard on/off switch. It turns the power on to the power supply manually. The ATX is a momentary switch that connects to the motherboard. When you push it in, it makes momentary contact that the motherboard detects. The motherboard then gives the signal to power on.<br /><br />What happens if you hit F8 and let it sit there? Does it still reboot? <br /><br />If you can get the unit to reboot without going into windows, then troubleshooting will be easier. <br />Check BIOS seetings and write them down.<br /><br />If it will reboot without going past the F8 menu, then take it down to the minimum configuration.<br /> <br />1. Unplug computer and then ground yourself on power supply.<br />2. Remove expansion cards except video (Note which slots they are in.<br />3. Remove as much memory as possible that will still let you boot to the F8 menu.<br />4. Disconnect CD-ROM, Floppy drive, secondary hard drive cables. Both power and data.<br />5. See if this helps. You will not want to boot into the Windows Graphical User Interface (even in safe mode) or your config will be changed.<br /><br />6. If the power problem goes away then, one of the things you removed is the culprit, if not, then swap the memory your removed with the stuff you kept in. If the problem is still there, then it is power supply, motherboard, memory or Hard drive.<br />7. Power down. Disconnect the hard drive cables power and data. Let it boot to "Insert System disk" prompt. Did this solve the problem? This will eliminate the hard drive.<br /><br />You could also try making a system disk in windows or if you already have one, boot to the diskette instead of always having to hit F8 in time. Most likely your floppy drive is fine and you could leave that connected.