I have lost my computer technician to the big smoke so can't get a quick fix to a startup problem.
The startup is activated each morning and almost finishes the sequence, but then falls back to the start of the procedure again. I am using XP Professional. Not sure if it goes thru the same number of iterations I just walk away and get a coffee. Sometimes in desperation I will hit the keyboard enter key a number of times and it is surprising that this sometimes and only sometimes, appears to help clear the blockage.

It goes thru all the restart screen asking me to select which type of restart I would like like Normal, last good one startup with etc.

Eventually the procedure is completed as if nothing was wrong, and I can get on with a days programming and testing. The microsoft warning says a probable cause of problem was introduction of new hardware or software may have caused the problem. No new hardware has been added, and although new software was added, the problem started well after the installation and concerted daily use of that new software.

An error occurred with Symantec Anti Virus software re Instant messaging to be the problem. I am not using Instant messaging unless that is another name for email.

Another error occurred while Symantec was pre screening a 2mb file attempting to send an attached file to an email, which happened to be the new .jpeg Screen shot of the VB6 Upgrade of the CGVI system. I have not been able to transmit that jpeg file, but smaller versions in other formats get out, with no other email problems.

Now software still does not heal itself as far as I know, so I assume hardware is the problem. Very Hot and humid weather, Salt laden air from the beach, Air conditioner not coping could be the problem, but in that case why only at startup. Some dust from preparation work for bigger air conditioner may have contributed, but why would error clear itself. Probably time to pension this particular computer off, but once it does start, it performs very admirably.

One quasi techie has suggested I reseat the battery on the mother board and or check re seating of any other boards. Someonelse suggeted a virus .
Any experienced help from someone who has seen the same problem would be appreciated. Cheers

Have you tried downloading the latest virus definitions and running the anti virus.

Other than that the problem is most likely to be somewhere in the cpu or the motherboard. Another possibility is the cpu fan not working. Open the case and boot up, (very careful not to touch anything) and check that a little fan is turning near the main board.

Another option to try is to back up everything, then put in your windows cd and re install windows. You may also need to reinstall office and other software.

These things can be very difficult if you don't have a resident expert. It may be time for a new computer if yours is very old. When our last one died it had symptoms a bit like yours. The previous one was scrapped because it would reboot at random, initially after an hour or so, but eventually about once every two minutes.

I am not an expert, just offering what help I can.


Cheers

LJ

Hi Cunge, if I may use the familiar form of your name.

No it is not the Tanny310 virus.

You have highlighted many common and widespread household computer problems, but didn't mention the vintage of your hardware.

I doubt it is hardware. The ambient environment of household computers is severe. HEAT can be a major problem. Never use a laptop sitting on the bedcovers such that the vents are blocked. Flat screens pump out even more heat. Heat problems usually manifest themselves as noise problems. The finely balanced, high RPM micro devices start whirring more than normal. Solution: Get your vacuumcleaner, a small (clean new) paint brush, OPEN the box and clean all the fans and radiators, as best you can. CARE is required, but it is highly unlikely a card has dislodged. They are very firmly seated normally. You'll need a watchmakers size philips head and other small screwdrivers. It is all a bit tight, but perform the operation on the dining table where you have plenty of room to layout and account for every screw in its place. Clean. Reassemble in reverse. Some panels or plugs may require you to be gently firm. Good luck.

There has been a lot of finger pointing between Symantics & Microsoft over the years. You will probably find the problem has arisen because of an anniversary of AV installation. Both have automatic updates so the software inside your PC is effectively changing all the time. I recommend you uninstall the Symantics software - but that is almost impossible to eradicate from your system, just keep trying to delete it and anything which is obviously Norton. Beyond that I cannot diagnose your problem via the forum. I'm waiting for the lawsuit against antivirus software makers for them hijacking your computer resources. It is like chemotherapy, the treatment can be as bad as the problem.

If you don't knowingly use instant messaging then you might try to disable this invasive channel via your XP system configuration settings. This too can be problematic, as you cannot be too sure which application softwares have abused this backdoor to your system. Even Microsoft like to keep this ajar for normal operations (advertising) or other vested interests (consumer profiling). Scarry isn't it?

In my opinion, far too many 'invisible' tasks running on peoples PCs nowadays. Is that paranoid?

Good luck. Cunge
voi.

Thanks Lainie & Mutt. Will take a look at a few things mentioned. Think the heat got to it this morning as it was getting problems after it had been working for an hour or so, was also a bit late to turn on the air conditioner.
Can you send me an email Mutt as I seem to have misplaced a few addresses.
Still Busy learning VB 6 and I am fully involved in program conversion. Been demonstrating new CVGI product with MCC, MBL, BHP, EXL etc; trial testers are sure it is easier to use than old system; Gees, aren't we all geniuses during a BULL RUN. But what do they say "Pride reigneth before a fall."
Need to urgently get my other pet software converted also. So Much to do, so much to keep learning also. Cheers.

" If a product works well ( and it still does ), then Improve it".

Cungevoi: I am certainly not an expert in these matters, but have recen tly had the same problem with an almost new computer running XP Pro.

As well computer was locking up occasionally, things gradually deteriorated until boot up would not complete, error message at some stage had said something about a corrupt file.

Problem turned out to be a corrupted file on a secondary hard drive, when this drive was disconnected computer booted again normally.

Cure, (not done by me but by technian acquaintance) involved copying all corrupted drive to another drive, reformatting bad drive, no error found on drive, CHDSK done I think on data from affected drive which found & removed bad files, remaining data then copied back to original drive. No problems since. No reinstallation of any software was required

No exact cause is known for the problem, but new computer arrived with a trial version of Kapersky Antivirus installed, which I used till it expired.

Foolishly I did not uninstal immediately, but installed my usual NOD32 antivirus, the two did not like each other, as apparently is common for antivirus programs, and caused some problems - this may been the cause - unsure.

I don't know if any of this will help, or is even likely to be connected. Hopefully you will get things sorted shortly

Thanks for comments will add these to list of things to do. Have moved thru some of the steps advised and no real improvement as earlier I could not get the computer to fail at boot up, but then after I had been away for lunch and it had cooled down ( the computer not the weather ), it started it's unusual boot activity again. Will work slowly thru all activities and hopefully will isolate probelm.
Yet to find out how to disable Instant Messaging.
One of the most unusual features is that now and then after I have put in my usual password, at boot up, it retorts "Have you forgotten your password" so I reinput same and it sees it as okay. Now that is a real worry.

Apparently from what local repair centre says this problem is unique to Windows XP. and the solution is apparently to ring up Microsoft and abuse them. You apparently have to try and repair something that is in error, or inevitably, save your files and reinstall Windows. He also said you can't get out of that loop, whereas if I wait long enough it apparently overcomes whatever problem it has. So still no resolution. All Disks checked clear, AV software said no problems.

Could be the new VB6 program that is picking winners like crazy and is obviously "RED HOT", even actually to causing an unprecedented BULL RUN of the market. Cheers

Looping Startup Procedure.

Back with the living at last but it just goes to show you how good is our lainie with her experience. I had always believed it must be hardware, but all the hardware experts were telling me it was definitely M/S Software, but software does not yet heal itself, as far as I know, and the looping startup was in my case eventually sorting itself out. And then I re- read Lainies post. Looked at the cpu sink fan and lo and behold.

Other than that the problem is most likely to be somewhere in the cpu or the motherboard. Another possibility is the cpu fan not working. Open the case and boot up, (very careful not to touch anything) and check that a little fan is turning near the main board.

The problem was allowed to go unchecked for too long causing other problems as well to where the system would not get out of the startup loop, so a new motherboard was installed. Quite a lot faster too. Old programs and data files were retrieved from the old C: drive and transferred to a faster disk. Some software will have to be reinstalled. Complacency after too many years of trouble free running tend to make our backup procedures fall by the wayside.
Many thanks Lainie. Cheers

cungevoi

very glad to have you back with us.

when you upgrade to a faster computer you don't look back. The odd failure is sometimes a good thing because it prompts us to upgrade to better hardware. Last year we got a whole new computer to replace the old many-times-upgraded one (still in the old flat case) and the computer just runs everything so well and so fast I wished we had upgraded sooner.

For anyone out there still on modem, converting to ADSL was another revolution, and by the time you allow for the cost of all the phone connections, it doesn't cost all that much more.


Cheers

LJ

I think there is “automatic backupâ€

Hi

This problem is becaude of virus. Download some antivirus in your computer and scan your PC in a proper manner.

update anti viruses regularly.