Start up Problem after being off for more than one hour

[Snoopy]

Hi All. Have struck a problem with a PC repair that I have not yet seen before and if any one has answers would must appreciate them.

The PC is a standard DELL Dimension 3000 with 512k ram and standard EDE drive.Running XP Home with SP3.

The PROBLEM.

After PC is shut down for one or more hours or over night then start up it has black screen for couple of minutes then the white bars across bottom screen like when installing windows from disk then PC goes to normal start screen and loads the OS but takes about ten minutes to do so. Also programs run slow. Shut down and restart and all is back to normal.PC runs fine starts from power on to operational in less than 60 seconds. All programs fire quick and nothing unto ward. Shut down restart- good as.

This problem only occurs if PC is shut down for a period of time longer an one hour.

Have checked and run all tests on BIOS, processor, Hard Drive, Ram, and DVD Rom Drive. All Good. There is no POST beeps apart from the standard single OK beep.

This problem is before OS load and the only thing I can think off is a sad mother board battery. The only thing is thou is the time is holding correct even after power off for ten hours so I am looking for answers before replacing Battery.

Have check BIOS fault log and nothing there.

Has anyone got any suggestions, as it has me stumped.

What have I missed.

PJ.

 

[NYJimbo]

It would be interesting to see what would happen if you could pre-heat the hard drive after letting it sit for hours or overnight. I dont mean make it very hot, rather warm it up with a hair drier (body temp or a little higher) and then boot the machine. DO NOT USE A HEAT GUN.

Since you pull no errors it could be the hard drive is lethargic due to some kind of issue with actuators or the motor and when it's hot it works ok. I know that a slow responding hard drive will work without errors because the on-drive hardware will wait for the drive and then send back to the system, but will work very slowly.

 

[rosiesdad]

I think thats one of the Dell's that have a proprietory power supply. An off the shelf job probably wont fit/work.

 

[Snoopy]

In response to my post

Thanks Guys,

I will try both if I can locate a power supply for Dell 3000.

I have tested the PSU but not under load. I will also swap out the HD and see if it is lazy.

Very hard problem to identify as have to wait so long for problem to occur.

Any other ideas appreciated.

PJ

 

[Methical]

Is it as slow if you have the computer running for a cpl hours then doing a restart? Do you still get the same problem..

 

[Snoopy]

Is it as slow if you have the computer running for a cpl hours then doing a restart? Do you still get the same problem..

No- Once it has its first start it can be left going for 1 minute to 5 hours or more and if shut down and restarted within 20 minutes it will boot up quick and runs fast with not an inkling of a problem. The problem of slow boot and slow run only occurs if left off for approx an hour plus.

PJ

 

[Crgky127]

Checked for exploded capacitors?

 

[rusty.nells]

Checked for exploded capacitors?

I second that. Could be taking a long time to charge after a full discharge.