XP powers down as desktop is loading?

[jwillifixit]

I've a couple PC's (saving them from the junk pile) that have exactly the same issue... I can sit in BIOS all day long with no issue but if I boot the machine it crashes as the desktop is loading. It happens at exactly the same moment every time.

Booting into safe mode is fine.

I went in and disabled everything in start up but that didn't make any difference.

These aren't really worth spending a lot of time on but it is curious behavior...

Thoughts?

[jwillifixit]

Re: XP powers down as desktop is loading?

sorry... when I say powers down and crashes what I mean to say is the machine simply shuts off. No "shutting down", no blue screen crash or anything it just shuts off.

[Topcat]

Re: XP powers down as desktop is loading?

That could be a gazillion things....driver issue, bad capacitors, you name it. If it completely shuts off, CPU thermal tripping? bad PSU>?

[stj]

Re: XP powers down as desktop is loading?

try running from a Linux live-disk to eliminate the possibility of bad drivers.

it could also be bad caps on the mobo or psu, full desktop uses more current.

[gabiz_ro]

Re: XP powers down as desktop is loading?

F8 -> Disable restart or something like that
Change PSU
If still shut down then maybe caps on mobo.

[RJARRRPCGP]

Re: XP powers down as desktop is loading?

Check the CPU heatsink, clean the heatsink, clean the top of the CPU, add 3 mm dot of TIM
and remount the heatsink.