Continual Rebooting

blueskye,

 

To help isolate your problem, try starting the computer in Safe Mode by tapping the key during startup.  This should give you the option to start your system in one of several different modes. 

 

If the system successfully loads Windows in Safe Mode, then your problem is related to a faulty driver or an application which is failing to load at startup and causing the system to restart. 

 

If the system does not start in Safe Mode, try booting to a CD.  Your Dell Dimension Resource CD should do the trick.

 

If you can post the contents of the error message which appears, this will be useful in helping to isolate your problem.

 

Steve

BigBrother,

 

    Thanks for your suggestions and here are the answers. I'm not able to boot into Safe Mode at this point. I did find this error message at POST, and have seen it before but this is not commonly what happens. The error message which is part of POST goes something like this:

 

    Windows could not start because the following file is missing or corrupt:

 

    System32\DRIVERS\isapnp.sys

 

    attempt repair by starting Windows Setup using the original CD-ROM

    select "r" at the first screen to start repair

 

    Does the original setup CD-ROM mean the Dell Windows XP Reinstallation Disk?

 

    I tried restarting the computer from a manual power down with the Dell Dimension Resource CD in the CD drive. When I started the computer again all I got was the 5-1-2-3 beep code and no video signal and no hard drive activity. Subsequently, I tried using the Dell XP Reinstallation CD and also a Western Digital resource/diagnostics CD with the same 5-1-2-3 beep code and no video. I then would have to power down manually. Where the computer before would just continually reboot, now it won't boot at all.

    I noticed when I would insert a CD to try to boot from the CD would spin and the CD drive light and the Hard Drive activity light would be active, but when the CD drive would spin down the hard drive activity light would go out immediately and no further activity would take place. I don't know if that provides any clue or not to what's going on. I had also changed the boot order to allow the CD drive to be first in the order just prior to trying the CD's.

    As far as the blue screen message which had been appearing previously, I believe it indicated it was a Non-Page area Fault and it may have referenced specific memory locations (remembering that this message does not stay on screen for more than about five seconds). I don't know how useful that's going to be since I can't read all the information while it's onscreen. So anyone have any further thoughts? Thanks for any help you can provide.

 

                                                                                                                Thanks,

 

                                                                                                                             Chuck

blueskye,

 

The "original setup CD-ROM"  is the Dell Windows XP Reinstallation Disk. 

 

However, with a beep code of 5-1-2-3 or any 5-x-x-x beep code, the indication is failing memory.  Unfortunately, your system uses RDRAM which can be a bit expensive to replace if it has failed. 

 

Try re-seating the RAM modules in the system after letting it cool down for a short while.  RDRAM modules can be extremely hot to the touch when in use. 

 

Steve

Thanks BigBrother.

 

    There may be other indications of memory problems. I have occasionally seen an error message at POST that says decreasing memory available. However, I purchased new memory (2 X 512 MB 40 Ns non-ECC Samsung) quite recently and think the memory was at least okay at purchase. I was having trouble with the 5-1-2-3 beep code and similar codes before buying new memory. I have just replaced the motherboard this past weekend in part because of the possibility that the memory connectors may have been bad. I have reseated the memory and tried basically every configuration known to man. So where to go from here? I'll probably try the original memory to see if I can at least get a video signal or get rid of the beep code. Any other suggestions?

 

                                                                                                                Thanks,

 

                                                                                                                             Chuck

blueskye,

 

Test the fans by opening the case, turning the computer on and checking the fans visually. 

 

RDRAM modules generate a lot of heat by themselves.  The metal covering on the memory modules is referred to as a heat spreader.  It is intended to function as a heat sink, similar to the heat sink on the processor.  It should draw heat away from the electronic chips on the memory module.  RDRAM is expensive and has a shorter life expectancy than most other types of computer memory. 

 

If you choose to purchase replacement RAM, purchase new memory from a reputable brand such as Crucial, Corsair or Kingston.  Check the warranty on the RAM.

 

Steve

BigBrother,

 

    Thanks for the thoughts. Are you suggesting that the general level of heat of the memory modules could be causing the modules to fail or function erratically? Or could excess heat inside the computer be causing the memory modules to fail? It is possible that the replacement memory that I bought could have been bad or failing and I couldn't tell because I was having memory problems both before and after replacing the original memory.:smileysad:What you say about memory problems seemingly mimicing a variety of other problems certainly could be a possibility in my case. If you are suggesting replacing the memory again, I'm hesitant both because of the cost and the possibility that the machine is damaging the memory modules. I wonder now if a fan problem could be the culprit. I realize it's possible that a fan is not running properly because I've noticed that the computer seems to be running quieter of late. Maybe something's not running that should be. How do I test the fans?

 

                                                                                                                    Thanks,

 

                                                                                                                                 Chuck

blueskye,

 

I would continue your current course -- eliminating the memory errors.  Failing RAM can cause any of a number of errors which can seem like corrupted software, a failing hard drive, or some other component.  Since the 8200 uses RDRAM which runs very hot, and heat is the enemy of electronic components, I would suspect that some or all of your system RAM is flaky.  Fixing this problem will give you a better platform on which to find out if you have any other problems.

 

Steve