HP constant reboot. help please!

maximumx · March 9th, 2006, 08:45 PM

I have a HP pavilion a705w. win XP. not really sure of the motherboard, but it has been messing up for about a week now. I've built computers and maintained them in the past, but this has me stumped. it was having disk read errors and couldn't access specific directories on my hard disk, so i went and bought a new one. it was hell trying to get the rescue disks to work because it would reboot in the middle of it. i finally got the hard drive formatted and everything in working order (so i thought) then 4 days later i restart, and it says windows didn't completely load and gives me the options of safe mode, safe mode networking, command, previous settings, or normal. i've pretty much tried them all, but as soon as i choose my option, it reboots. I've tried different power supplies, different ram, and a different HD. I am clueless. help would be appreciated!

DutchMaster · March 9th, 2006, 09:06 PM

Sounds like hardware to me.
It could be something simple as a bad IDE cable.

"disk errors" "reboot during rescuedisk install" "new harddisk".
So would leave me IDE cable, IDE connector on motherboard (bend pins, loose or "cold" solder joint) or in worst case the IDE controller or its surrounding components (bad capacitors).

IMO changing the IDE cable might do miracles!

DutchMaster · March 9th, 2006, 09:07 PM

Oops forgot:
Welcome to TechIMO !!

maximumx · March 9th, 2006, 09:16 PM

alright, i'll change my IDE. if the IDE isn't the problem, what would i need to do? replace the motherboard? thanks so much for helping me

DutchMaster · March 9th, 2006, 09:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maximumx

alright, i'll change my IDE. if the IDE isn't the problem, what would i need to do? replace the motherboard? thanks so much for helping me

While you are changing the IDE cable, check for physical damage of the IDE connector or bad capacitors (those little metal tubes) on the motherboard.

In my experience fitting your discription, I have only see the last, once. Broken pins of IDE connectors often, bad or not OK seated IDE cables most of the cases.

The IDE cables are also the cheapest things to exchange. Thats the first which I would try before changing the motherboard or the harddisk (unless it doesn't spin up or makes the infamous ticking sound).

Let us know of it solves the problem, I am off to bed got 6 hours sleep left before starting a new working day

Urgh almost weekend