Shutdown during XP install, at same point

[thor999]

Tried reinstalling windows XP on a machine I built 3 years ago, a few times, and each attempt causes the PC to shutdown at the exact same interval, right after entering the COA key, I believe "initializing network". Shuts down as if you had pulled the power cable. There was no option in bios to disable onboard NIC, and I tried installing a PCI nic to no avail. Client says prior to this it would shut down during a heavy load (i.e. Dungeons and Dragons online). This one is perplexing me, TIA for advice!

 

[NickCat11]

Some things that could cause it:

1. bad ram- check with memtest or whatever
2. overheating- if its happening at the same time during install and during a heavy load that could very well be the problem-check the heatsink and maybe reapply thermal paste- make sure there is enough airflow in the case
3. Possibly power supply- if you have an extra one swap it out and give it a shot.
4. bad onboard controller--new motherboard
5.Check all the cabling on the board to make sure nothing is loose.

 

[thor999]

Some things that could cause it:

1. bad ram- check with memtest or whatever
2. overheating- if its happening at the same time during install and during a heavy load that could very well be the problem-check the heatsink and maybe reapply thermal paste- make sure there is enough airflow in the case
3. Possibly power supply- if you have an extra one swap it out and give it a shot.
4. bad onboard controller--new motherboard
5.Check all the cabling on the board to make sure nothing is loose.

1.) checked w/ memtest, 0 errors but I'm not ruling out bad ram yet.
2.) I think you're on to something there, the cpu fan occasionally clicks as if its touching the shroud at some point.
3.) new PSU installed, same error
4.) thats the easy way out!
5.) all cables replaced (IDE yuck)

BTW FWIW its a Biostar 6100-M9 mobo, Corsair ValuSelect ram. Why does this problem remind me of installing Linux for the first time and continuously hanging on some part of the driver install or another? Aslo, I have tried different back-ups of XP, SP1, SP2 (each time beginning w/ a reformat).

 

[NickCat11]

Aslo, I have tried different back-ups of XP, SP1, SP2 (each time beginning w/ a reformat).

I forgot to mention trying a different CD. So we can rule that out. I would definitely try to isolate the heatsink and make sure everything is good there first since it sounds like that might be the root of the problem. Keep us updated!

 

[thor999]

Update: swapped out ram, and now shuts down during XP install at a later point! The CPU fan did start spinning faster right before shutdown, I am willing to guess cpu or heatsink failure at this point, will update later, first I must walk the doggie.

 

[NYJimbo]

You still havent investigated this as a thermal issue?

 

[thor999]

No, as it would power down at the exact same point during the xp install, "installing network". Now that the symptom has changed I shall replace the heatsink but I have been inspecting the "hot points" of the board frequently with an IR thermo and nowhere on the board, even by the cpu, are temps exceeding 113f. Its still the next step in the process though, so let me run some errands and I'll get back w/ an update later. Its for a friend (free) so no hurries

 

[thor999]

Reapplied thermal paste, replaced heatsink, removed all non-necessary components, replaced IDE cables, ran HD through hdregen, all to no avail... Any suggestions, or time to replace the mobo?

 

[NYJimbo]

Reapplied thermal paste, replaced heatsink, removed all non-necessary components, replaced IDE cables, ran HD through hdregen, all to no avail... Any suggestions, or time to replace the mobo?

What temps are coming up in the BIOS or in a add-on temp app ?

 

[hondablaster]

I know you dont like the easy way. Biostar are not good motherboards. Im sure thier product has gotten better over time. They are still a funky mobo. Popular with the low end $ saving crowd.

On another note I have had an issue with nvidia based onboard nics. It would consistently reboot when I tried to install the new driver. (or the OS tried) (5 years ago) I remedied the solution by using old nvidia forceware drivers untill a new driver came out.

Also I cant see anywhere where anyone said anything about video. Have you tried installing a new card? Maybe PC cant handle mutilple full loads. (loaded memory, CPU, GPU etc)

I know you want to really find the culprit as I do too a lot of times. But with a Biostar your working your butt off just to find you really do get what you pay for, sometimes its a lemon.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...=False&VendorMark=&Keywords=(keywords)&Page=9

Note: I went to newegg and sought the reviews of this board. I consistently found gamers saying the board shuts of when the GPU or Northbridge get too hot. (this has been an issue with passive cooling socket 939 nvidias) This is the case with these cheapies they are not good for taking a %100 load for long periods of time. You might be able to salvage it with a graphics card and disabling the onboard video but at that point you allready invested more than the board is worth. If your network issue is not the key, try focusing in on some graphics south bridge/north bridge diagnosis. What have you got to lose.

 

[PcTestCard.com]

Check the mainboard for any damaged capacitors.

Hope this helps!
Bill

 

[NickCat11]

I think hondablasters post really narrows it down to what the problem is. After reading all those reveiws it definitely sounds like it's the board. I won't be using any of those in the future when building.

 

[ithinkyou5.0]

i had a machine that was doing this exact thing but when i installed vista, it turned out to be a bios issue and one flash later i was in business (spent hours pulling my hair out tryna figure out why it wouldn't install)

 

[thor999]

The Northbridge is getting hot, up to 130f at times. I am going to try flashing the bios and see what I can come up with., and probably give up after that, as this mobo is worth far less than the time I have invested in it already but am I overlooking something? Nvidia drivers ARE installed AFTER Windows, correct? And I am going to trust my IR thermo before any software, unless there is good reason not to that I am not aware of, just seems logical - definitely appreciate the advice though! BTW no damaged caps...

 

[hondablaster]

You like to experiment this should be fun.

Take a small housefan. Try and aim it at your north bridge see if you can stabilize the PC. If no house fan a hair blow dryer set to NO HEAT (if that is not obvious )

If can stabilize it buy this.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835425007

I enjoy using cheapie mobos for problem solving skill. I recommend someone who is dedicated to learning buy a cheapie they are endless troubleshooting and performance tweaking.