[SOLVED] XP Won't Start Up--HELP !!

[dr911]

Hi All,

I just got done installing some memory (ram) into my friends system. I check it out before installing the ram. He's got XP-Pro on it. Now, after I have installed the "ram", I turn on the machine. I get the 'Gateway' intro screen, but nothing further. I tied to go into the BIO's..NOT !!. I can't even turn off the crazy machine. I unplug it from the back....wait 15 minutes, plug it back in.........it powers itself on without me pushing the power switch !!!

I can't even get the machine to go into "safe mode". All I can think of doing is taking out the "battery" and wait awhile, then put in back in. I know this will reset the BIO.

I have tested the "ram" on another machine, so I know it's good RAM. I also can't figure out why the machine won't turn off. Can't turn it off by the switch. Unplug (taking the power cord completely off the machine) and plug it back into the machine.....it starts right up. I've check the switch also !!!

Any ideals ?? HELP !!!

[racknrail]

Originally Posted by dr911

Hi All,

I just got done installing some memory (ram) into my friends system. I check it out before installing the ram. He's got XP-Pro on it. Now, after I have installed the "ram", I turn on the machine. I get the 'Gateway' intro screen, but nothing further. I tied to go into the BIO's..NOT !!. I can't even turn off the crazy machine. I unplug it from the back....wait 15 minutes, plug it back in.........it powers itself on without me pushing the power switch !!!

I can't even get the machine to go into "safe mode". All I can think of doing is taking out the "battery" and wait awhile, then put in back in. I know this will reset the BIO.

I have tested the "ram" on another machine, so I know it's good RAM. I also can't figure out why the machine won't turn off. Can't turn it off by the switch. Unplug (taking the power cord completely off the machine) and plug it back into the machine.....it starts right up. I've check the switch also !!!

Any ideals ?? HELP !!!

r u adding additional ram or are you simply replacing it? Ram has been know to be finicky at the best of times. What kind of MoBo? Are the slots color coded? How many sticks in all? Some ram will not work with other ram, as I am sure you know.

When I get problems like this I start with only the basics and then use a process of elimination. Just strip the computer down to the minimum and try just one stick, if that doesn't work then try the old stick that did. Perhaps the ram slot on the mobo is corrupted?

[DreamSync]

Originally Posted by racknrail

r u adding additional ram or are you simply replacing it? Ram has been know to be finicky at the best of times. What kind of MoBo? Are the slots color coded? How many sticks in all? Some ram will not work with other ram, as I am sure you know.

When I get problems like this I start with only the basics and then use a process of elimination. Just strip the computer down to the minimum and try just one stick, if that doesn't work then try the old stick that did. Perhaps the ram slot on the mobo is corrupted?

That is good advice.


Like what was just mentioned you just want to take a back step or two to troubleshoot the machine.

Try re-seating the new stick of ram. It may not have lined up properly. Does the PC work?
Yes: You're set.
No: Go to next paragraph

Try taking out the new stick ram and leaving the old one in. Does the PC work?
Yes: Go to the next paragraph
No: Something may have been damaged while the ram was being added.

Try taking out the old stick of ram that is in there, and putting in the new ram stick in the same slot the old one was in and then booting up. Does the PC work?
No: Forget about using that stick of ram in that PC.
Yes: Try putting back in the original stick of ram(leave the new stick of RAM in the slot that it is in) and then try booting up again.

After you put the original stick back in with the new one, does the PC Work?
Yes: Then you're set
No: Go with the better stick of RAM and remove the other one.

[Lyte]

Excellent guidence Dream and well laid out!

RAM can be a snarly bugger! Just the littlest thing can make it "unhappy" and fail to function!

Lyte

[dr911]

Hi all,
Well, I figured out the problem after following some of the suggestions. Thanks for all the help !!

[Lyte]

Kewl Doc,

Thanks for marking this one [SOLVED]

Lyte

[dr911]

Originally Posted by Lyte

Kewl Doc,

Thanks for marking this one [SOLVED]

Lyte

No problem...Lyte. I hope other "members" do the same. Nothing like reading a thread and the person who posted it never seems to get back to it (unless they haven't solved it yet) !!

[Lyte]

Yeah, that's on my TO DO list... go through and mark [SOLVED] threads that have ground to a halt... no follow up and/or response.

Lyte