Computer freezes

[Compuitincolo]

    Hello, I'm just trying to find out the problem for a very old pc. it passes the POST just fine, and it freezes when loading windows xp, after loading it, just at any point. So I decided to do a DOS test, since the windows freezes, and the same thing happens with DOS it freezes right when it starts doing the first test or just right when loading pc doctor. What this problem could be?

[fwilson]

Compuitincolo,

Try putting the POST card in and see what the code is when it freezes.

The two most likely culprits are memory and power.  Try reseating the memory, then swapping the sockets.  If that has no effect put in a known good power supply and retest.

-Fred

[Compuitincolo]

I did the POST card test and all I get is on either DOS or windows is FF when it freezes, also I tested the power supply and all the leads were on, I havent try the memories you mentioned, but I will. So before I do that, do these FF mean something wrong?

[fwilson]

Compuitincolo,

It depends on your motherboard and BIOS manufacturer.  FF is the last Hex number (255) and means whatever the BIOS manufacturer wants it to mean.  On some systems it means the BIOS is done and attempting to boot on Int 19 although, 00 is usually used to indicate this.

Go to Bios Central http://www.bioscentral.com/ and look up your motherboard or BIOS manufacturer for a definitive answer.

-Fred

[Compuitincolo]

Hi there, Im still working with the same computer and all I keep getting is different codes, they are like 10 different ones, and just 5 of them are shown what they mean  on the bioscentral websitefrom  so I assume that the whole mobo is fried. But I just dont want to assume. For example: one of the code is F0 Initialize interrupt vectors and another one is 66     Configure advanced cache registers. So my question is: is there any instructions that could explain more in detail what to do or what we cant do with this POST codes information?

[fwilson]

Compuitincolo,

POST codes will flash by at a breakneck pace during boot up, this is normal. You are seeing what the computer is doing. What is important is the code displayed during a hang, This will give you insight as to what the problem may be.  If there is no hang during BIOS POST and control off to the boot process you know the problem is Further down the line. 

The POST codes displayed on the card gives you insight as to what the system is doing if and when it hangs, nothing more. As to an instructions (or books) as to what to do with the information provided by a POST card, there are none that I am aware of.  It would have to be huge.

-Fred

[Compuitincolo]

What I mean is that this pc hangs while doing POST at different points, showing of course different codes. redoing my question, by looking at the code this is giving me, for example  F0 according to bios central it means: Initialize interrupt vectors. is there any way to know what part of the mobo is failing like a component  or if it is memory RAM?

[fwilson]

Compuitincolo,

Using the example of F0, initialize interrupt vectors, the likely place to look would be PCI cards.  IRQs are related to the PCI BUS and associated cards so removing and or replacing expansion cards would be a logical place to start.

-Fred

[Compuitincolo]

got an idea thank you!

[fwilson]

Compuitincolo,

You're welcome.

-Fred