Please, explain this to me...

[nothing]

A customer called me the other day saying that her computer was freezing all the time and that she wanted me to re-format it and re-install Windows XP again. I went to her house, formatted the computer and when I tried to re-install Windows again, 16 minutes for the instalation to be completed, the computer froze! I turned it off and turned it back on again and this time the computer froze 13 minutes before the instalation was completed. I ran memtest86 and it didn't find any errors. I also ran the hdd utility and it didn't find any errors either. So I took her computer home and I tried to use some spare parts I have in it with no success. I took everything off and put everything back in place again and wow, I was able to install Windows without no problems. I installed everything I had to install and I let the computer run for a day and a half and there were no problems. This evening, I went to my customer's house to return her computer and after hooking up all the cables and turning the computer on, it froze! It freezes on the black screen with "Windows XP Professional" written on it. I could see the blue bar moving but there was no hdd activity. I tried to connect just the keyboard, monitor and the power cord but it didn't work either. After that, I didn't really know what else to do 'cause after all, the computer worked perfectly here. How do you guys explain this?

[crossedup]

Cant, it happens to me all the time. I hate it.

Clear the BIOS and try again. That works for me half the time.

Make sure everything is seated tight as well. I carried one from my office to the kitchen one night, all of 25 feet. It dislodged both the video and NIC cards. Not much but took me a while to figure out why the computer was screwey.

[G Ray88]

Try a different power supply, might use a different outlet in her house see if that makes a difference. Good Luck

[BipolarBill]

Check the RAM and the hard drive for errors:

www.memtest86.com

Use CHKDSK /F /R on the drive.

Be sure that the PC is dust-free and not overheating.

[Steve R Jones]

Windows XP Setup Stops Responding During the "Collecting Information" Portion of Setup
http://support.microsoft.com/default...&Product=winxp


Windows XP Setup Stops Responding (Hangs) During the "Preparing Installation" Phase
http://support.microsoft.com/default...&Product=winxp


Setup Stops Responding with 34 Minutes Remaining
http://support.microsoft.com/default...&Product=winxp


Computer Stops Responding When You Install Windows XP on a Computer with an i815 Chip Set Motherboard

http://support.microsoft.com/default...&Product=winxp


Setup Stops Responding or Displays an Unrecoverable Error Message
http://support.microsoft.com/default...&Product=winxp


Windows XP SP1 Installation Stops Responding with About 34 Minutes Remaining
http://support.microsoft.com/default...&Product=winxp


Windows XP Does Not Respond at "Setup Is Starting Windows XP" Message
http://support.microsoft.com/default...&Product=winxp


Resources for troubleshooting startup problems in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default...&Product=winxp

[nchan10111]

1. you going to have to tell us more info about your computer, hardware wise.
2. Is the windows xp cd with service pack 1 or 2.
3. did you do a full format of the hard drive or quick.

[rraehal]

The only computer I have had do this to me was related to power issues. I put a UPS on a computer that would not run in one house but worked in mine. The UPS solved the problem.

A good Power Supply for the case or a UPS may also help you.

I agree with nchan10111 that we need a little more computer specific info.

[custer]

Take it back to your house and power it up. If it doesn't freeze, it's the power in her house. I've heard of this before.

rraehal may have the solution to that one.... a UPS.

good luck.

[crossedup]

These advices so far might be on to something. The problem I have is about the same but its the same house.

I build them here at my house then take them up to my parents house where the business is based and they are put up for sale there. Every fifth one or so gets up there and just will not run right at all. Ran rock solid at my house though. Ive always thought it was thier electricity.

People saying that electricity might be your problem makes me think maybe im right

My house is 4 years old, thiers is about 80. Makes my theory seem possibly true.

Guess its time for me to get a UPS at thier house.

[nothing]

Sorry for taking this long to post back.

Well, the computer is not in my hands anymore because she said that it is still covered by the warranty and that she'll take it to them. I asked because this problem didn't make any sense to me, but now I know where to look when (if) this happens again. Thanks a lot guys