Computer issues - crash during Windows boot
A_Boojum_Snark
Join Date: 2003-09-07 Member: 20628Members
Join Date: 2003-09-07 Member: 20628Members
in Off-Topic
I've got an old machine that crashes and restarts during the Windows boot process, but not always. It always does eventually make it through and get to the login screen, but it will take anywhere from no crashes to a half hour or so (I tend to just leave it and walk away) of crash-and-repeat cycles before it does.
So far I have left memtest86 run overnight which found no errors. Multiple chkdsk runs (done from a successful boot and scheduling it for next restart) usually don't any errors, though occasionally the crash will mess up an index that gets repaired during the boot up chkdsk.
When it crashes during a safe mode boot it actually shows an IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error which I looked into and traced to occur during the loading of hal.sys, which I restored from the recovery console though I didn't expect it to help, and it didn't.
It only ever crashes during the boot up, never during use once it is up and running. If it was a hardware/drive fault, or the PSU going bad, I would expect it to also crash at other times or when under high load, but nope.
I could reinstall Windows, but if it actually is a hardware issue that'd be a waste of time. I'm out of ideas and google isn't being very helpful. Anyone know what's up?
So far I have left memtest86 run overnight which found no errors. Multiple chkdsk runs (done from a successful boot and scheduling it for next restart) usually don't any errors, though occasionally the crash will mess up an index that gets repaired during the boot up chkdsk.
When it crashes during a safe mode boot it actually shows an IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL error which I looked into and traced to occur during the loading of hal.sys, which I restored from the recovery console though I didn't expect it to help, and it didn't.
It only ever crashes during the boot up, never during use once it is up and running. If it was a hardware/drive fault, or the PSU going bad, I would expect it to also crash at other times or when under high load, but nope.
I could reinstall Windows, but if it actually is a hardware issue that'd be a waste of time. I'm out of ideas and google isn't being very helpful. Anyone know what's up?
Comments
Might give you more information to work with.
Sounds familiar....but I barely remember what the reason for this was in my System..
My motherboard once had a problem - defunct Caps. The Crashes occurred whenever I challenged the computer with hard-drive work (lots of copying). Later any long-ish access to the hard drive was punished with a crash+shut down. Finally I couldn't boot the system because it was crashing while loading. I replaced 2 caps and the MoBo started working again.
Another problem occurred when I tried to boot windows after replacing a motherboard without reinstalling windows or preparing it in any way. The drivers were the problem in this case and I couldn't find another solution than just reinstalling.
I believe though that the irql-error occurred in the first case. So you might check your hardware. Aside from my story your crash-behaviour sounds like a hardware defect to me. It's worth checking though before you buy a new board.
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On a more serious note, how old is the hardware? Could be an issue if it was from that awkward transitional phase when PnP was just getting started and didn't work properly.
As far as disk diagnostics go, I still have yet to find any program superior to SpinRite for fault testing. The built-in chkdsk is... lacking, to put it nicely.
Failing all else? Linux, turn it into a mailserver or fileserver that you never ever ever turn off except for kernel upgrades. Then install KSplice so you never ever ever <i>ever</i> turn it off.