[Martial33]

sometimes, it wont star and the reset button wont work.-- requires shutting it off at the back (power source) turning power supply back on, then the start button.

unless I hear that initial beep, I know it wont start. 99.9% of the time I don't get the beep and have to go through this procedure to start it.

ironically, everything has been replaced on it over the last 2 years.

• ram
• motherboard
• cdrive
• new additional hard drive
• power supply
• even the box has been replaced
• video card etc

its only the very ODD time it will start first try. of course the shops fix for this is to simply start to replace stuff. now that everthing is replaced, it still doesn't work properly.

so then I tried changing the location in the house. that didn't make a difference either. I tried different circuits, changed the power bar/breaker, plugged it in directly without a power bar, changed the power cord several times.

I don't get it.

I also have a mac which is in the same room and it works fine (touch wood)

[Tanis]

Odd!

Can you give us the full specs of all the system components, ie. make model of motherboard, PSU, graphics card, RAM, etc. As much info as possible, it may help someone find a possible cause.

[Martial33]

sure...

XP Home 2002
Service pack 3
Intel Pentium 4 CPU 3.00ghz
ACPI\PNP0C01\2&DABA3FF&0 (this is the description of the MB from device manager) - with the cover off, all I could see is P4MBAS - I fogot what kind it was -- is that ACER?
1G ram
3d radeon 9550
Conexant hcf v90 data / fax modem
MS Natural PS/2 keyboard
MIOS 400U-425 power supply
two sata seagate hard drives
there is an old disk drive too. At one point I had that unhooked and out of the start up, but that dident help either.

[Bernardo]

Try disconnecting any external devices and see if that makes a difference. Especially powered USB hubs.

[Martial33]

Bernardo

thanks but there is never any USB devices plugged in (besides the two monitors) at start up.

I have tried with one monitor and at the shop they have tried different monitors, so I cant see it being the monitors.