Computer reboots continuously!

We need more info....

CPU, RAM, MOBO, Video card?

How big is your power supply?

I am betting it is a bad driver causing the problem and that the blue error page gets rebooted before you get a chance to see it. Try booting into safe mode by pressing f8 while it is booting and see if XP starts up then. If it does then all you have to do is find which driver is causing this.

I recommend that you start the system with the minimum hardware as possible for this is definitely it hardware issue if you is start the system with a minimum hardware as possible let's say only the CPU- RAM video card obviously. if is not already building to the motherboard basically the idea is to take anything that is not necessary to start the system add then one piece at a time into you find into you find  the one with the problem if you have more than one stick of memory  start the system with once stick of memory at the time basically you need to use the process of elimination
to get to the bottom of this

if you like to test your ram this is a very handy utility http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp 

create a boot disk and test your RAM with each and every option available

Callandor i did not see your post

To ensure I understand.  System rebooting is old system that you removed DVD-RW drive from.  Apparently all was well until you removed drive and set remaining CD-RW drive to master.

Is the CD-RW drive on a cable by itself, or is there another drive on same cable?

First thing to try.  Change CD-RW back to slave (won't matter, will still boot PC).

Install only one hard disk.

CD-RW should be slave on secondary IDE controller and HDD master (unjumpered if WD drive) on primary IDE controller.

See if that stabilizes system.

also what is the os ?   did you do a clean install ?  if xp   go to the control panel  click on administrator tool   event viewer  then system log    are there any exclamation marks or x's  ?

The System is Intel Celeron 950
Mobo is SIS 630-6A6IRJ19C-00
Award Bios v6.00PG or v.630TCFA02
Video is integrated on Mobo
Has Enlight 300W PS
Single 256 MB Mem Module
I mistakenly said earlier that there 2 were matching WD drives they are Maxtor Quantum Fireball 40 GB

Booting in Safe Mode - the same problem happens!

I am in the process of pulling different devices,  originally I had the Cdrw on secondary IDE as Master and the 2 Hd's as master & slave on the primary.  Am I understanding that one of these suggestions is to set up the cdrw as slave on the secondary without a master?

Problem still occurs with a single hd installed and with either Hd installed as the single ( I have installed Xp on both and tried to boot from either of them with the same results - also happens with the CDRW pulled out)  Am I smelling a motherboard problem? My instinct says not, that it is some type of configuration or setting mistake - Of course I'm a novice at this.

Question - is it possible that the MBR needs to be formatted or Fdisked?  Does Xp handle that automatically?  I'm just trying recall some of this stuff from a long time ago?

Also - with 2 Hd's is it better to have them on the same IDE as Master & Slave or to have them set up as Master on both IDE?  I am not mirroring but I do set the swap file on the second hard drive.

Is there any method to step through the boot process in XP?

Thanks

It doesn't sound like a bad MBR but if you want to fix it boot from an XP CD then press r for repair you will go to the command prompt then all you have to do is type fixmbr and it will do its thing.

Yes, CD-RW as slave on secondary IDE.  Preferable to have both hard disks on primary IDE (master/slave).

Try re-installing XP with only one hard disk and CD-RW connected.  But before installing XP, reset hard disk (low level format, zero fill) using Maxtor utilities or wipe with Darik's Boot and Nuke.  That will ensure all old partitions are completely erased.

Let's eliminate drive settings and XP installation errors before tackling any other potential issues.  At exactly what step in boot process does PC reboot?  May provide a clue as to cause.

Is that a new power supply, or did you cannibalize that too? If not, I would suspect the PS being bad.


Joeteck

Is CPU Fan is running? Check it. Or replace the Power supply and try again... thanks

If it's suddenly rebooting when the xp splash screen starts, I would suspect an bsod that flashes to quickly to be seen.  If you have tried safe mode and it does the same thing, it sounds like you may have faulty memory.  Use the memory tester mentioned earlier by natcom, or if you have another stick of ram that's compatible with your motherboard, take out the old memory and try the other stick.  

The power supply is the original that came with the unit as new in November 2001.  The Cpu Fan and the case fan are running fine - it is my impression that the PS is working normally (i have no testing devices to verify this).

This line "...If it's suddenly rebooting when the xp splash screen starts..." is a correct description of what actually is happening.  The splash screen appears for a half second and then the computer reboots.  I am completely unable to get into XP at all.  Sorry for my newbieness but what is a bsod?

I'll try the memory tester since I do not have a replacement module!  

Does anyone know if it's possible to purchase a motherboard to replace this one if it turns out to be the mobo. The local computer shop where I originally purchased this unit seemed to indicate that it was not available.  Maybe they just want me to buy a new computer from them?

Thanks to all for the input!

I really don't think this is your problem since failing cap symptoms are random reboots and yours seems to occur at same point but worth a look since you have a 2001 vintage motherboard.  Check capacitors on motherboard to see if tops are bulging or there is any sign of electrolyte leakage.  If either of these two are present, may as well go ahead and replace motherboard while you are working on system.

Would help to have model of old motherboard.  SIS is chipset supplier, not motherboard manufacturer.  Here's a socket 370 motherboard that will work with your CPU if mobo replacement is necessary.

http://www.directron.com/cm33tl.html

The mobo is Jetway 630TCF/TCN

I had forgotten that I had downloaded and burned an Ultimate Boot Disk.  This is a pretty handy thing for these kind of things.

I ran the Windows Memory test from the Ultimate Boot Disk through 2 passes (6 tests each pass) without a fail.  There are no indications in this program whether 2 passes is sufficient or what the proper number of passes might be.  I am letting it run continuously as I write this msg.

Also I followed the previous mentioned procedure to fix the mbr and then I reloaded XP yet again.  Still the same.

This would appear to leave only the PS or the Mobo.  Can the PS be working in some respects and failing in others?  I guess it's possible that the CPU itself is bad but this wouldn't seem to make sense to me

Maybe it's a bad cable - I'm going to pull all of the cables off the board and reset them next.  Is there any method to step through Boot Process in XP?  Short of other possibilities or recommendations, should I purchase a PS or Mobo first.  Which is more likely to be the culprit.

I wouldn't know a capacitor from a transistor or resistor on a board nowadays but there does appear to be corrosive buildup on the top side of a number of the board elements.

Thanks Again

Capacitors are cylindrical metal "cans" usually from about 1/2" to 1" tall and 1/4" to 3/8" in diameter.  Larger capacitors are normally located near the CPU socket and are ones most likely to exhibit signs of damage (voltage regulation circuit).  Tops should be flat and no leakage, oozing, or corrosion on tops or sides.

Yes thats what they look like. At least 5, 2 near the PCI slots in the middle and 3 at the top near the CPU & Memory.



Thanks

If so why didn't u try another os installed (fresh copy of winxp or 98)? If again the problem persist, i m sure, the problem is caused by the motherboard (One chip in motherboard called Frequency Generator). Frequency generator can't be generate the frequency to oscillate the CPU and CPU assumed it as fatal error and then restart automatically.
So first change or OS and if not change your

Reinstall new fresh os or change motherboard..

Regards

Replaced Mobo - Problem solved - thanks to all for the input!

This problem happened to me after I let Windows automatically intall the Service Pack II.