Need Help Win ME-Will Not Start After Shutdown

[LadyBlue0912]

...... If I get on the computer and use it for 20-30 minutes and cut it off and someones else decides that they want to use it. They start the computer, you hear it booting, the monitor green light comes on flicks to yellow and you get the black screen. You walk away and come back about an hour later and it works fine. (Instead of shutting it down, right now I am just using restart) There is no error messages or anything. I checked all of the devices and drivers. Compaq doesn't have squat on this. I'm becomming obessed. I have spent countless hours surfin forums, tech sites, and self help pages.
One of the first things that I checked were the settings . Not set for hibernate. All features are on never.
In all my searching, a couple of things stuck in my mind. Something about the S3 Graphics Pro Savage driver and a conflict. I can't find the page were I read it. The other is something about the power saver feature. I have read so much stuff in the past week its all running together.

[Abremylin]

First make sure you have all the Windows updates from Microsoft. They did a heroic job patching the unpatchable - yea right. I have noticed that with updates ME worx "better", which is a relative term anyway.

The real problem is likely either a marginal MB (low possibility) or a defective power supply (more likely). If you have a spare 300W P/S then swap it out and see if you continue to experience those issues. If not then that was it. If so then it is something else. Maybe try the video card. If it is on-board then get a slotted card - PCI or AGP - and try that card. Note: disable the on-chip video. Another thing to try is isolating RAM DIMM's. Use one at a time and see if you are having problems.

Wondering:
Are shutdowns successful? Does the system power on "most" of the time, just sometimes it won't power up? How consistent is the problem - is it easily repeatable?

[LadyBlue0912]

It has been a problem for a couple of weeks. There there is no problem getting it to repeat itself. Even if you use it for 10 minutes and shut it down it will not start again. The kicker is if you select restart instead of shutdown, it will reboot. It is consistent.

The first thing I did was to trade monitors (new one), and check the settings. Then I updated drivers. Since I have haunted every tech site and forum reading trying to find the answer. I'm going to check all connections from the wall outlet, surge protector and the rest. When I do this I won't be back online for hour and half.

I'm running a Compaq Presario 5000 w/
S3 Graphics Inc. ProSavage [Display adapter]
COMPAQ CV735

From this part on, I am lost.......
Maybe try the video card. If it is on-board then get a slotted card - PCI or AGP - and try that card. Note: disable the on-chip video. Another thing to try is isolating RAM DIMM's. Use one at a time and see if you are having problems.

I would like to thank you.

[Abremylin]

Hmm... i'm really thinking power supply issue. Possible MOBO or Vid card but unlikely if its not even posting on a fresh startup. That is usually a power supply issue. I have also seen it be a defective MOBO. If your unit is still under warranty I would suggest you report this to Compaq/HP. Call them anyway they may have a workaround or patch for this issue. While on the phone with them obtain the part number and price for a new mobo - this is most likely the next culprit aside from RAM isolation which you should try and is fairly easy.

If you open the computer and look inside you will see a few long THIN modules sticking up close together on the mainboard. If there is just ONE then find someone with a PC100 DIMM (64MB or higher) and try that one - see if it works. The RAM is usually to the right of the CPU (the thing with the fan on it).

Please provide the model or series number and Serial number from the rear of the system and I may have other suggestions. Also visit HP.com and go to support link, select the proper area to address issues on your system and take a look at their notes on the system. Maybe something there.

[LadyBlue0912]

Operating
Win ME 4.90.3

Model
Compaq PC CTOADAAA
Presario 5000
Sys Serial # 9115CGWZM892

Processor
1000 megahertz AMD Athlon
128 kilobyte primary memory cache
256 kilobyte secondary memory cache

Main Circuit Board Board: Compaq 0708h
Bus Clock: 100 megahertz
BIOS: Compaq 786K3 03/21/2001

Drives
29.99 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
3.03 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space
Compaq DVD-ROM DVD-116
PHILIPS CDD4801 CD-R/RW
Generic floppy disk drive
Generic IDE hard disk drive 29.99 GB drive 0

Memory Modules c,d
120 Megabytes Installed Memory

Slot 'DIMM1' has 128 MB
Slot 'DIMM2' is Empty
Slot 'DIMM3' is Empty

Printers
AdobePS Acrobat Distiller
Compaq IJ600 LPT1

Controllers
Standard Floppy Disk Controller
Primary IDE controller dual fifo
Secondary IDE controller dual fifo
VIA Bus Master PCI IDE Controller

Display
S3 Graphics Inc. ProSavage Display adapter
COMPAQ CV735 Monitor

Bus Adapters
Iomega Parallel Port Interface
VIA Tech 3038 PCI to USB Universal Host Controller
VIA Tech 3038 PCI to USB Universal Host Controller

Communications
PCTEL Platinum V.90 Modem
Accton EN1207D Series PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter
Network Card MAC Address: 00:10:B5:D3:DD:3B

Other Devices
Compaq S200 Scanner
Easy Internet Keyboard
InkJet Color Printer
Logitech-compatible Mouse PS/2
USB Root Hub
USB Root Hub
HSP56 WDM DEVICE
Ex Modem Terayon TJ210

Ex Wrnty - 6/6/03. goin to post this..... Checked connections. I keep looking for 'magic answer' 4 computer. If it works, will repost to let you know it. Many thanks

[Abremylin]

Report this issue to COMPAQ right AWAY!!!

Call their customer service and support number and make sure you get a case# from them. If you have already spoken to them about this issue and they did not resolve it, I would try again. Tell them you have done the extensive research you have and every place that you find tells you it is most likely a defective piece of harware. Which they warrantee. But you must put in the claim before the 6th... DO IT NOW!

[LadyBlue0912]

I'm up a creek....... Warranty expired. Was extended only for one yr. Does anyone have any suggestions? Compaq has had the motive tuner going anyway so I'm wondering if someone else isn't having this problem. site. Saw this posted in another forum and wonder if it is worth a shot

Go into ya BIOS and look around for Frequency/Voltage settings where you'll likely find a voltage labelled as DIMM (may also be in Advanced Chipset Properties) which usually is set at 2.5 volts and if ya change change this to 2.6 volts ya memory problems just may go away.

Think this might help me? Don't want to gamble. I'm gonna test the RAM tomorrow. Please someone give me some ideas

[Abremylin]

I have some special contacts at HP and when I called to verify warranty status they said the warranty expired on 7/17/2002. You stated that you bought a 1-year extended warranty on this product. You will need to show HP (compaq) a valid proof of purchase in the form of a receipt. Sometimes these systems are out of warranty with the Manufacturer but Fred Meyer or Sears will SELL you their "extended warranty" on the system which is an addendum to the manufacturer warranty.

NOW... you must do some research to get this covered for free. It should be worth the headache of digging up any proof of purchase on this system. You will be looking at close to $300 for repair and replacement on this system whether it is a P/S or motherboard.

I bet you bought an extended warranty through what is called a 3rd party. You NEED to find that information quickly and call their tech support and get them to pimp-up on that shiznit for you.

Go gogo gogogogogo look , qwik before its TOO LATE!

[PostCode]

I would have to say start with the power supply myself. If you can, get one to borrow, if not, then you might check around some garage sales around town. Never know what you can find. Third option is to call around some local computer shops and see if they have a used power supply, around 350Watts, they would be willing to part with. Many computer shops don't like to do this, no because they get more money froma new one, but they use these things on the bench. Still, it's worth a shot.

[Abremylin]

Buy new system = $700 - $1000 (new 1 year warranty, new OS, faster computer, better service, better unit, more options, more compatibility with next generation technology)

Repair old system = $300 - $400 (90 day warranty on replaced part, 30 day on labor, same old slow POS, same old cruddy OS (WinME), stupid programs that only work in XP not running on old machine, extended headaches, the worry that something might suddenly go wrong in the unit.)

Take your pick. As far as you doing it yourself I would not recommend this, unless you do it often enough to be comfortable replacing the mobo and/or reinstalling the OS.

As I said above, this issue is most likely a P/S - so find someone with a similar Wattage and try that. See what happens. If there is no change or things worsen, then it is left to MOBO being bad. This will need to be replaced directly with Compaq. If you try to upgrade that unit you will run into major headaches unless you get a new CASE, MOBO, CPU, and RAM. In this latter case you will still need to reinstall the OS - gee, another 2 - 5 hour headache.

Again take your pick. I suggest getting really pissy with the warranty place. Don't talk to compaq if you bought this unit from a Sam's Club, Freddies or some other 3rd party retailer. I bet you purchased a 3rd party warranty and IT IS STILL COVERED BY THAT WARRANTY and IT IS A DEFECTIVE PART. Don't let them convince you there is an OS issue. Then they won't be liable and will not pay for any service to the unit. If you send the unit out, I recommend that you remove the HD. They will not need it to properly TS a hardware issue like you described.

Have fun with this one!

[LadyBlue0912]

Contacted HSN ,third party vendor. You were very accurate in all your bets! It is still covered (its a extended 3 yr warranty, and I don't know where the paperwork is. but there is a paper trail) and the way that Compaq is monitoring this thing I have a hunch you are right in the defective part theory. This thing had problems from the time it was taken out of the box. Will take the advice about the options for repair to heart (remove hd, etc). Would like to thank you for telling me to look into the warranty. I have had to deal with warranty issues before and I'm sure this kettle is just heating up. In the meantime I'm addicted to the internet so I have been working on the Dell sitting in the corner. Haven't had much time to read the forums lately,because I'm looking for updates for it. But I learned alot from this experience. Thanks again to all!

[B.S.O.D Hater]

i have a 32mb s3 prosavage ddr onboard my gigabyte ga-7vkml

& have the same prob with windowsMe & i found it will boot into windows if a cd is placed in your cd-rom drive before it boots
so turn on put cd in & press restart
it should get into windows after a few flicks of the screen :)

after getting into windows
uninstall your graphics driver

you need to install again the ide / atapi drivers from your motherboard cd again especially after installing nero or other burning programs that install a diff atapi file which conflicts with the m/boards atapi compatibility

then install the graphics driver take the cd out

remove the cdrom(s) from the system properties

click apply then choose to restart

the problem should then be fixed..

some times it can take up to four tries before its good