Help with fault diagnosis please

Blackout · 19 May 2008 at 10:20

Hi there, I need help with this one as my Dad's PC is behaving somewhat erratically and I don't know how to go about diagnosing the fault. (happy to buy new stuff to fix but which bits to fix!!!). So hopefully the knowledgeable folks on here can tell me what to try.

The PC is an ('purple shirt' number) P4 3.2ghz, 1gb DDR and Windows XP, 500gb HDs. Its about 3-4 yrs old I think.

On bootup the PC often (but not always!) hangs at the 'intel' logo (i.e. after BIOS screen and before Windows), and the Fan spins up (rather noisily actually). Other times it can hang at a black screen (again before Windows) or sometimes on the XP loading screen. However, if it gets into Windows there are no problems whatsoever!

Can anyone give me a clue what component this might be? Or how best to go about running tests to narrow it down?

My 'troubleshooting' tends to be a complete wipe/reinstall of the OS (and replacement of obvious bits for my own rig) but my Dad has lost his OS discs in his recent move. I have a feeling it is not the install though anyway.

Any help appreciated guys!

Shrapnel · 19 May 2008 at 10:26

Has it always done this, or only just started doing it?

Janesy B · 19 May 2008 at 10:27

tried a different HDD?

Blackout · 19 May 2008 at 10:29

Probably in the last 2-3 months, seems to have got worse though. My dad just puts up with it and never usually grumbles (hence I don't know exactly how long it has been doing it), but of late it is winding even him up and so he has asked me for help!

....which is fine but from the above, my 'PC troubleshooting skills are akin to using a sledgehammer to crack a nut'...cause I don't actually know that much about the subtleties of PC fault diagnosis etc.

Matt-Page · 19 May 2008 at 10:31

Is the HDD set as the first Boot device? It the HDD SATA?

Have you tried upgrading the BIOS firmware? Have you tried the CMOS jumper?

Blackout · 19 May 2008 at 10:31

Yeah I have a few old HDDs hanging around at home so I could take one of those over. I guess to ensure it is not the XP install I should image his current HDD and then put it on the spare to see if that loads up.

Is there a way of testing the HDD?

Blackout · 19 May 2008 at 10:33

Matt-Page said:
Is the HDD set as the first Boot device? It the HDD SATA?

Have you tried upgrading the BIOS firmware? Have you tried the CMOS jumper?

Hmm. It's an old PC so think it is likely to be PATA. I would also think the CD is first boot ( but will check that out). No have not tried the CMOS jumper....what does that do...reset the BIOS?

...PS--No MOBO manual either as he basically chucked loads of stuff when he moved, but I reckon I could find the CMOS though.

/edit: No not tried updating BIOS firmware...I hate doing that with a passion., it scares the 'bejesus' outta me.