Windows problems... (Updated)

[Luvian]

I'm having a problem with windows xp for a while, but it doesn't happen that often, so I was ignoring it, but it's getting annoying.

Every once in a while when I turn my pc on, it will start booting 10 seconds or so and then shutdown. When I reboot it's fine and take me to the "windows wasn't closed correctly" screen. I'll chose boot Windows and everything is fine. What could be causing this?

Also, I have a device that are not correctly installed in device manager, but I'm not sure what to do about it, I'm translating it from french, and it sound like "pci entrance peripheral". What's this and how can I install it.

Update: Well it just did it again, and this time I was ready. It does it in the middle of the windows loading screen. The bar filled up twice, then it crashed. I rebooted, selected load windows, and when I got in windows windows told me it detected my old drive, called "ari42otn325imd!!!!!!!!!!!" or something like that. Usually when I get the crash windows doesn't pop up the new drive message, but I guess it really was the drive.

[ 04-11-2006, 02:59 PM: Message edited by: Luvian ]

[Larry_OHF]

It sounds to me like a problem worthy of reinstalling the entire OS.

Something has got your startup screaming rape or something.

I have absolutely no idea about the device thing not working right. You might have to try to give more info or post a screen shot of it so somebody can figure it out.

[Callum]

Hmmm... I've had that same problem with the rebooting, and I think (it was a while ago, and the family computer rather than my own, so my interest was not as high) that it was a faulty hard disk...

I'd make backups of all your important data NOW, in case it gets worse...

[Larry_OHF]

Originally posted by Callum: Hmmm... I've had that same problem with the rebooting, and I think (it was a while ago, and the family computer rather than my own, so my interest was not as high) that it was a faulty hard disk... I'd make backups of all your important data NOW, in case it gets worse...

Callum could be right about the HDD, but the most important thing he said was the latter...back up your stuff before you regret it.

[Bungleau]

The closest I came to the device was PCI Bus. What's the device name in French?

You might be able to find a clue in the event log. Take a look at the event log viewer in Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Event Viewer. There are several different views in there... one may give you a clue as to what's blowing up.

And backing up data is *never* a bad idea...

[Hivetyrant]

Sounds to me like a hardware problem rather than an OS problem..
If it was an XP problem, it would give you the error report screen when windows resumed.....In which case you should send the error report, because believe it or not, 90% of the time, it will be able to tell you the exact problem and how to fix it

To get a better idea, how far into booting does it get? Do you get to see the windows startup screen? the screen with the scrolling bars?

[Luvian]

Originally posted by Hivetyrant: Sounds to me like a hardware problem rather than an OS problem.. If it was an XP problem, it would give you the error report screen when windows resumed.....In which case you should send the error report, because believe it or not, 90% of the time, it will be able to tell you the exact problem and how to fix it To get a better idea, how far into booting does it get? Do you get to see the windows startup screen? the screen with the scrolling bars?

Well my computer boot pretty fast, and when it happen it always take me by surprise, but no, I'm pretty sure it never get to the windows loading screen. At least I never saw it. I think it crash when it should show the loading screen.

The device in question is called "Peripherique d'entree PCI". Some research seem to point to the sound card, but it is installed and working...

[Hivetyrant]

The last problem I could not fix for a while turned out to be my $200 sound card, even if its just temporary, if you feel comfortable doing it, you can try removing it nad see if it happens still

[Mirac Honorguard]

Since it only happens at a certain time and doesnt repeat itself once the computer has started properly, it has to do with initializing some hardware. Probably a device you dont use (at all) or the problem would pop-up more frequent.

The strange part is that your pc actually shuts down on its own. This might be caused by either power supply unit or the CPU (to hot) or windows/software (which means virus infection of a sort).

I can only guess so far, as the period before windows starts loading initializes alot of things.

If you could give more details, like if the pc/hdd makes weird noises, power supply unit values (when the computer runs or in your bios screen), when the crash exactly happens ect., that would help alot.

[ 04-07-2006, 06:12 AM: Message edited by: Mirac Honorguard ]

[Luvian]

Originally posted by Mirac Honorguard: Since it only happens at a certain time and doesnt repeat itself once the computer has started properly, it has to do with initializing some hardware. Probably a device you dont use (at all) or the problem would pop-up more frequent. The strange part is that your pc actually shuts down on its own. This might be caused by either power supply unit or the CPU (to hot) or windows/software (which means virus infection of a sort). I can only guess so far, as the period before windows starts loading initializes alot of things. If you could give more details, like if the pc/hdd makes weird noises, power supply unit values (when the computer runs or in your bios screen), when the crash exactly happens ect., that would help alot.

Well the thing is, I don't change anything in my pc, everyting is always the same. All that's connected are my speakers, mouse, keyboard, headset and screen. I don't change hardware, nothing.

It couldn't be heat, because it only does that when I turn it on. I'm also very prudent about viruses and scan every files before opening them. I guess it could be possible I'd have a virus not detected by antiviruses, but it doesn't sound very likely. The hard drive seem ok and doesn't make any strange noises. I'm not too sure of how to check my power supply while in windows.

Like I said, I'm pretty sure it happen when the windows load screen is supposed to appear. I'll turn the computer on, it will start booting and after a couple of seconds shut down. I would have noticed it if it did in in the windows screen. I timed it and it really seem to happen when then, but I can't reproduce it, so I can't be any more specific.

It only happen once every couple of days, but it's been doing it for at least 1-2 months I think.

[ 04-07-2006, 10:29 AM: Message edited by: Luvian ]