Occasionnal startup problems

[Guest alain lebel]

From time to time (3 times in one year : december 2006, january and july

2007) my computer won't start. It is an ACER w/ Intel Duo w/ Windows XP SP2,

manufactured in early 2006.

 

The first two times, when I switched it on, it stayed on the first screen

(the ACER screen) and didn't show the windows loading screen.

I had to switch off manually (cut the power) and when I reestablished the

power, the computer restarted directly, apparently from the point where it

had stopped.

(the second time I noted that I had switch on the printer at the same time

as the computer - they are on the same plug).

 

The third time was different, at startup the computer displayed the desktop

and then it switched to a black and white screen displaying options about

restarting the system. Restarting from this screen, either normally or with

the last correct configuration lead back to the same error screen. I then

chose the option to restart in the 'no failure' mode which displayed the

windows users login screen from which I was able to switch off the computer.

I restarted after checking all cables and it restarted normally with a

message telling me that the system had recovered from a serious error.

 

This problem is quite puzzling because it is only occasionnal but could lead

to my computer not working at all.

 

It seems that there could be three possible origins to the problem :

 

1. A problem with the windows system

 

2. An hardware problem on my computer

 

3. A problem with the power source

(the computer is connected to the power source (grounded) with a multiple

plug with has a protection from over voltage) There may be may be some

instabilities with the power in my house.

 

From my symptoms can you have an idea of where do my problem come from and

how to prevent it ?

 

Thanks a lot.

Alain