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Boots slowly, but eventually boots fully. Shuts down with no warning, no error message. Windows Restore will not open, but Control Panel, Explorer open all right. Both monitor and CPU shut down simultaneously. Will start up in Dell diagnostic routine, but runs out of time before anything can be checked. All CP/Power options are set to Never. Comp has been woking OK, no recent changes/installs. Ran Windows Security Essentials couple of days before all this started-OK. Win XP SP3
Appreciate any suggestions.
D
Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.
Answer accepted by question author
Thanks to all - those of you that kept coming back to hardware/heat were way ahead of me, but you were right. Finally got down and dirty, the plastic part that holds the main processor heat sink clamps had broken, allowing the heat sink to pull away from the processor.
A new heat sink retainer clip, a little grease, and we're back in business. Thanks to all - every comment helps.
Thx again
This is a Dell 2350 - pretty basic. Before it died completely, I noticed what I thought was untimely blinking of the HD activity light. I also thought I heard untimely clicking of the HD on occassion. On the strength of that, I felt the HD was possibly sending me a message.
I replaced the HD with a good standbye unit (reformated), and started to boot into the 6 floppy MS set of disks. Things were going well until half way through disc 3. The screen flashed something about power saver, and shut down.
The original HD has a Dell diagnostic routine partition, which I got into a couple of times before it shut down. On one of those occassions, I ran all the tests, the one on the HD being by far the longest. Anyway, all test were completed (eventually), but no problems or errors were reported.
Any thoughts?
BTW - never stays on long enough to develope any serious heat.
Dave
(Pony - as in Ford Mustang?)
Sounds like heat or something loose or both.
Please provide additional information about your system:
What is your system make and model?
Laptop or desktop?
Do, or do not. There is no try.
I need YOUR votes and points for helpful replies and Propose as Answers. I am saving up for a pony!
Safe mode doesn't appear on the option list. I am able to get to the (Dell) diagnostic partition, but run out of time almost as soon as I get there. As I said previously, Sysrem Restore will not open. No chance to update the bios.
D
Hi,
· What happens when you try to access the system restore on the system? Do you get any error message?
I would suggest you to check in safe mode whether the issue persists. Follow the steps mentioned below to boot into safe mode.
a. Restart the computer and keep tapping F8 till you reach the boot menu.
b. Select safe mode from the list and press enter.
c. Check whether the issue persists and let us know.
I would suggest you to update the BIOS on the system. Check with the manufacturer of the system.
Thank you and Regards.
Thahaseena M
Microsoft Answers Support Engineer.
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