[don2993]

This computer is 4 or 5 years old, no major problems till now. Running Windows XP, crossfire video cards, 2 monitors. Last night computer froze, I tried to restart it, windows wouldn't start. Tried safe mode, last known working mode, and all other options. I tried to start it from the cd, it seemed to load everything, and when it was starting Windows, it said that windows was shutting down to not damage the computer. Remove any new software or hardware and restart ......
I did not add any new software or hardware recently.
I noticed that only one of the monitors was working, giving me all of this information, the other one was shifting colors and had colored streaks running across the screen. Should I try to take out one or both of the video cards? Should I buy new video cards? Or is this a software issue?

[Megabite]

Try taking the bad Video card out first and restarting and see

Does this Motherboard have integrated graphics card?

[Elvandil]

Sounds like the cards, or one of them. Overheating maybe?

[don2993]

Thank you for your reply! I removed a graphics card, it didn't seem to make any difference, it still won't start in safe mode or in normal mode. And there is no place to plug a monitor on the mother board. I didn't plug the computer in until I was ready to start it, so I don't think it was over heating. Thank You!

[Elvandil]

What was the error on the blue screen? Have you tried removing both cards, one at a time?

[don2993]

Yes, that was the only way I could tell it wouldn't start in safe mode, there is no other place to plug the monitor. I think I am going to take both cards out and see what happens. If the windows music plays I will know that it started. Other than that, I don't know what to try. Thank you again for your help.

[don2993]

Sorry, I did not answer the first part of your question, there was no error on the blue screen. It started like normal, saying "Windows xp", then the screen said windows will start in 20 seconds, it gave the choice of safe mode, or safe mode with networking, or last working configuration. then after a couple of seconds the machine shut off and restarted, doing it all again. I tried letting it start normal, and safe mode, several times each.

[Elvandil]

Did you try the other options, too, like "Last Good..."?

[don2993]

Yes, I tried that one too, nothing. I just took both cards out and tried to start it, it didn't play the windows music, but it didn't shut off either. I don't know what was happening there.

[Elvandil]

If you can do it, try booting from the memtest CD and running a RAM test. Or try removing RAM a stick at a time if you have enough.

MemScope (Floppy and CD images.)
Roadkil's RAM Test
Microsoft Memory Test (floppy or CD ISO image)
Memtest86

[don2993]

Thank you, I am going to try and download the program you suggested, if I can't, I'll send for a copy. I assume that I can run it without starting windows. Meanwhile, I guess I'll repeat the tests that I have already done. Thank You!

[don2993]

I repeated all of the things that I did last night a couple of times: I took out the video cards one at a time, started and restarted. and I checked all of my connections. ( I was not able to fasten the screws connecting the crossfire cable, connecting the video cards together.) I switched both monitors around and changed the wires around. Now both monitors are working! I tried booting from the cd again, this time I got this error after it loaded "Windows xp": Windows is shutting down to protect the computer, remove any new hardware ........ (there is no new hardware) then it gave the following error:
SETUPDD.SYS
PAGE_FAULT_IN_NONPAGE_AREA
STOP:0X00000050 (OXE5774FD8,0X00000000, OXF7416F3E,0X00000002
SETUPDD.SYS-ADDRESS F7416F3E BASE AT F73F2000, DATESTAMP 3D6DD67F

Thank You

[don2993]

I downloaded memtest and tried to boot from it. It didn't work. I also tried the one from Microsoft, and that didn't work either. On the boot menu options I did change the settings to boot from dvd, (the one that I downloaded the memtest programs on).

Thank You

[tigerjones]

do you guys actually think about the problem the OP described before giving advice on how to solve it or do you just throw darts at a list of common windows problems and post that.


my favorite one was where the guy suggested ripping out a video card from the mobo without even mentioning removing it from device manager first. i know there are some smart/cool people on here but posts like these are downright scary, especially considering a noobie/beginner doesn't know what a disastrous idea this is.


good luck!

[tigerjones]

if i were you, i would be spending my time trying to remember exactly what i was doing right before it crashed ....


maybe that will give you a clue on how to proceed.