"Orchid XP v7" <voi### [at] devnull> wrote in message
news:47ad9148$1@news.povray.org...
> Nekar Xenos wrote:
> > It all started with blackouts. No, it wasn't the power company. The PC
would
> > spontaneously reset itself.
>
> Which OS?

Windows XP SP2, WinXP 2002, Fedora Core 6 installation.
>
> By default, Windows XP doesn't display the Blue Screen of Death, it just
> instantly reboots.
>
> > It became more and more frequent. then it
> > wouldn't start up again unless I unplugged the power cable.
>
> I've seen that a few times. It's *usually* a motherboard fault. (Not
> always.)
>
> > Soon the PC
> > started crashing while Windows was loading.. . and after that all I
could
> > get was CMOS. and then I couldn't even get the PC switched on.... After
> > removing the CMOS battery for a couple of minutes I could switch on the
PC
> > again.
>
> Yeah, sounds like a motherboard fault of some kind. Diagnosing exactly
> what is going to be lots of fun...
>

Looks like it is the feared motherboard now.  :(

> > With Windows badly damaged I had to reformat the HDD and reinstall
> > Windows a couple of times. Every time I install Windows it works fine
for a
> > while and then starts crashing untill I can't start the PC up anymore.
Last
> > night I tried installing Linux and it crashed with 20minutes of install
> > remaining.
>
> Have you tried running a memory test? There's a small possibility that
> might be the cause - although I doubt it - but if it is, that's easier
> to fix than replacing the whole motherboard.
>
Memory test was fine every time...

> > I can't afford a new PC at the moment at all, so is there anything I can
do?
>
> Replace the motherboard with something that's compatible with your
> existing stuff - if you can find such a board...
>

And if I can find one, I can't be sure it's in a good condition...
:(

-Nekar

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