Freezes before I can Do Anything

[TheGreatSatan]

I've had this happen several times. I start up someone's computer (even in safe modfe) and it freezes right away. If it gave a minute or two I'd go into msconfig and the taskmgr and start shutting things off, but it doesn't. Is there another way/program that forces a boot without all the crap being loaded up?

[FuzzyPlushroom]

I'm assuming you've tried booting off a Linux LiveCD or some such, to make sure it's a Windows problem? If you haven't, it's worth a shot - could rule out a dying PSU or overheating issue.

Aside from that, I'd start it in Safe Mode/VGA, as that enabled me to work around a video card that was slowly dying... or perhaps try it with Boot Logging and see what it comes up with.

Description of the different Safe Mode options (http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222)

I might well be telling you things you've already tried and/or already know, but it's worth a shot.

[TheGreatSatan]

What does WinPE do? I heard about that before. Does it apply?

[XcOM]

winpe is windows pre install enviroment,

you might want to try BartPE, that creates a live version of windows xp on CD, i would try loading a live cd of some description to check if its a windows issue or a hardware issue.

[TheGreatSatan]

Usually it's safe to assume it's a Windows issue, since it freezes at the desktop. Hardware would probably prevent it from booting at all.

[FuzzyPlushroom]

Not if it's a heat issue - in which case it would occur more quickly after it's rebooted, and also happen if you boot from a LiveCD.

[nevermind1534]

I've found bad RAM to cause heat issues. A bad PSU can even prevent windows from installing, even though the computer can boot up. A bad PSU can cause the computer freeze.