'Random shutdowns' and 'Choose bootup mode screens'

[Aziz]

Two problems in one thread.

1:

I recently reformatted my girlfriend's family computer, and now whenever you connect to internet (dialup), after about 5~10 minutes, it reboots. No error messages, no crash, just powers down. Also, no audio is working. She's got onboard AND a SoundBlaster (bought recently) with drivers installed. So I'm not sure here on this one?

2:

I'm helping an older guy (~60 years old ), and when his computer boots up it comes to the OS choosing screen. But he's only got XP Home. The options are:

1) Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition SP2
2) Microsoft Windows Recovery Console
3) Microsoft Windows Setup

And there are no CDs in the drive, no floppies, :S. Also, I should've mentioned: The default is #3. And you get 3 seconds to choose.

[Ultrahex]

Problem 1:
If It's Windows XP or 2k or 2k3... etc
Most likely Bluescreens are disabled, and reboot on error is on
So The Best Thing To Do is
1. Turn It Back On
2. Check Error Log In Administractive Tools

Problem 2:
Modify Boot.ini
You can do this by hand OR!
Use MSCONFIG to set defaults etc.

[Dan]

An easyer way to mess with boot options is to go to my computer, right click propertyes and then click on the advanced tab. Click on the startup and recovery options buttion and you will be given with the options that are in boot.ini. You can also set how long thess options are displayed and click edit to edit boot.ini.

Peronsaly i like having the recovery option come up for a few seconds (maybe 5 at most) so if i mess over windows i can easly get in to the recovery console with out having to look up what keys i need to hold down to get the menu or find a windows cd.

[Aziz]

Thanks guys on IRC tonight for helping with problem 2 (and some unseen problems!). Now, Ultra, I'll check the log next time I'm over there. What am I looking for?

[Ultrahex]

Minute, your saying there was new soundcard installed, check for IRQ conflicts also while you are at it, you can do this by checking in Device Manager In Windows (and i think you do by connection is the easiet way)

Just check the log for the crash, the actual error, and see if the error code matches up with anything online hehe.

[Aziz]

I'll check it out. Where exactly is the error log? Administrative Tools > Event log?

And the sound card was installed a while, then I reformatted it, then this started happening.

[[Gandalf]]

Aziz wrote:

I'll check it out. Where exactly is the error log? Administrative Tools > Event log?

Start -> Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Even Viewer