Computer freezing on boot. HELP!!!

[vipergrm]

Hi guys,

I've been looking at a PC which I gave to a friend and there is a really strange problem with it. Basically, it freezes after being on for about 30 seconds. It will do this before getting past the BIOS, or even when in the BIOS itself. I have managed to run some boot up diagnostic tests to test all the hardware and of course, it doesn't detect any errors. At one point I managed to run an install of Vista but it blue screened. I have tried removing every piece of hardware including both hard drives, both CD/DVD drives, sound card and floppy drive but to no avail. CPU temp is between 50-60C. I can't find my multi-meter to check the power supply, but the readings all looked perfect on the few times I was able to tun the diagnostic test. I have easily spent 10+ hours on this and I'm getting a bit fed up. It's almost as if I'm obligated to fix it even though I virtually gave it to a friend.

I would really appreciate any other suggestions or, if you know of a diagnostic tool that would identify the problem, that would be great. I should also note that I have changed the RAM but this doesn't resolve the issue either. Thanks a lot in advance for your support.

Specification

Windows Vista (tried to re-install)
MSI K8T FIS2R ver 1.0 motherboard
AMD 64 3000+ CPU
Crucial 1GB DDR2 PC3200 SDRAM
Tagan 380w PSU
Inno3d Geforce 6800 GT graphics card
1x Seagate 200GB SATA HDD
1x Seagate 40GB IDE HDD
2x NEC CD/DVD/DVRW drive
1x Sony floppy drive

Thanks a million for your help. You're my last hope!!!

 

[J.B]

Sounds like the Mobo is on its way out.

I would have said dodgy cabling but if you've removed all the devices then its probably not that.
Im gonna say motherboard is on its last legs.

Might be worth cleaning the HSF of dust and reapplying thermal paste.

 

[vipergrm]

You may well be right. Looks lie that is the only alternative. I'll see if I can pick up a cheap one on Ebay or something. Thanks mate

 

[ChrisLX200]

Vista would run slow on just 1GB of RAM anyway.
If it can fail at any random point in the POST process, or even later when installing the OS, my feeling would be PSU. Yes, the voltages may have been correct when you managed to access them - that says nothing about the current being supplied, nor about the voltage when it actually freezes. That's the first thing I'd try.

Second is to remove the MB and run it out the case, may be a short somewhere.

Failing that then the MB may well be faulty, only substitution would tell you for sure.