system hang on install

frielman · #1 October 25th, 2003, 10:22 PM

my computer started freezing every time i tried to start it up (or almost every time: the times it did start it only ran for about 2 minutes). so i decided to reinstall w2k. however, now that i've formatted my hard drive and all, the system still hangs during the installation (near the point where you have to enter the computer's network name). any ideas on what's going on? at this point i'm thinking it's hardware related, but that's just a guess. thanks in advance

friel

**Murf** · #2 October 26th, 2003, 08:03 PM

Hi! Welcome to CTH

"my computer started freezing every time i tried to start it up"

You could have a HEAT problem. Open the case up and clean all the dust bunnies out (if there are any). Reboot with the case off and see if the processor fan is running, also any other fans are running.

If they are running and the puter boots up with the case off, then you may have a heat problem.

Post back if this is not the problem, then you will have to do aprocess of elimination with your hardware, as it appears it may very well be hardware related.

frielman · #3 October 27th, 2003, 12:06 AM

not the heat

that woulda been nice. all the fans are good, started it with the cover off for the first time in a few hours, froze almost immediately. as for hardware, i've determined that it's not the hard drive, don't THINK it's the ram (tested one, not the other-i have a 256 and a 128). so maybe processor? what's the next thing i should do?

i'm thinking about just building a new computer, and suggestions on where to go for cheap cases/amd processors/motherboards etc? thanks

friel

**Murf** · #4 October 27th, 2003, 12:42 AM

The next step would be to unhook everything except the hard drive and the video. Take all cards out. See if the problem goes away with just the hard drive hooked up. If so then hook one device up at a time until you find the culprit.

For building your own there are many many places out there for components.

I have used many, one of the most popular is NewEgg

Also check out ReSellerRatings before you buy froma company

Pricewatch is another place to look

gunrunnerjohn · #5 October 27th, 2003, 01:02 AM

Besides taking all the extra stuff out, I'd also reset the BIOS to factory defaults. Also, you might consider downloading www.memtest86.com and running it overnight. I've seen bad memory do this kind of thing a number of times.

Mobo · #6 October 27th, 2003, 03:38 AM

When you press shift + f10 during setup, a command prompt should be displayed. This will allow you to check the setuplog.txtto see if there are any other entries telling you if something has happened. Note the last entry and close the command prompt to continue setup. retry the process again a little later to see if any more entries have been added that may help..