windows won't start up every time!

bluesnice

Hi,
I wondered if anyone could give me an idea as to whats wrong with my PC. I don't want to have to send it away to be fixed but will i have to!

Basically, I switch it on sometimes get a little box that says ATTENTION: ENTERING SLEEP MODE. Then nothing happens

Other times it progresses to screen that says something along the lines of: windows didn't start sucessfully, a recent hardware/software change might have caused this. Then I get options to start in safe mode, last known configuration or normally. Its hightlighted normal and it counts down from 30. Then sometimes windows starts and other times the little ATTENTION: ENTERING SLEEP MODE box appears. I can usually tell when windows isn't going to come on because the PC doesn't make its usual noises and sounds. (if ya know what I mean?)

Sometimes I have to reboot 4 or 5 times before windows actually comes on.

I don't remember doing any windows updates, i've defragged and run the virus checker.. no problems reported. I'm not a techie.

any ideas. many thanks

Mr_Skint_2

What Version of Windows are you running,, XP 98?

bluesnice

its windows XP home edition.

Mr_Skint_2

Have you tried disabling Hibernation?

Right Click Desktop, Properties, ScreenSaver Tab, Power Button, Hibernate Tab,
now take out tick in Enable Hibernation...

And have you installed any Hardware as a thought.

bluesnice

thanks. whats the hibernation thing?
No, I haven't installed any hard/soft ware at all.

wacko911

Some more info required.

For a start - the - entering sleep mode - is most likely your MONITOR, telling you its going to sleep and nothing whatsoever to do with windows.

This is strange as you would normally only see this if your PC was off. (Or windows was going to suspend mode)

When you turn on your computer there are several boot stages.
1. Is the bios

Black screen generally, with white text first thing to appear, should disappear and go to OS loading stage. if its a dell or something you might see a DELL logo etc..

2. (OS) Windows boot stage

With XP your going to go straght to the XP logo

3. Windows GUI

XP logo disappear & windows backgound with mouse cursor.

On a failed boot attempt at what stage does the 'going to sleep' message appaer. Also do the Power lights on the case go out as if the computer is off? And you have to press the power button to switch it on again?

Some obvious things, make sure there is no media in any CD drives & floppy drive, also disconnect anything that isnt essential, ie Scanner/Printer/USB Modem/USB anything/Speakers?

Basically leave your Mouse & keyboard + monitor. Power on and if it still does not Boot, then try removing your Mouse also.

Also does your computer make any beeps at any stage.

At a guess, something is overloading your PSU and killing power to your PC during POST. (Power on Self Test) Ie a dodgy CD rom drive drawing too much power spinning up a CD, or else a FAN has died and your BIOS is trying to save itself, but if that was the case you would have known about it by now.