Strange Problem

[Majjam]

I honestly didn't know what thread to put this in but I've been running a good system for a bit. Running Windows XP on a fairly new HP computer. I was on it tonight and suddenly it froze. Completely. I couldn't even CTRL-ALT-DELETE it into a restart so I shut it down cold. I waited a few seconds and turned it back on. It turns up, the busy light is on, and the fans run hard as if I was overworking it but nothing happens after that. It doesn't read my monitor and the busy light(the one that blinks when the computer runs apps, etc) stays on completely. I turned it on and off a couple of times but I have no clue wha to do now. Any ideas?

[Broni]

Will it boot to Safe Mode?

[Majjam]

It won't boot up at all. It just turns on and runs hard.

[Broni]

Did you TRY Safe Mode?

[Majjam]

What do I have to do to get it in safe mode? When I push the power button the monitor doesn't even turn on.

[Broni]

Not even the logo screen?
You'll have to try current monitor on another working computer, or another working monitor on your computer.

[Majjam]

Already tried it. Monitor is working fine with my laptop.

The computer turns on but I don't hear the booting sounds at all. It's like it's frozen right after I turn it on.

[Broni]

You can't hear any HD sunds?
Is your computer still under warranty?

[Majjam]

Unfortunately not.

No hope for this one, eh?

[Broni]

No to both of my questions?

[Majjam]

For one second it sounds like it's going to boot and freezes. No warranty.

[Broni]

I hope some hardware guys will chime in here, because it's not up to my expertise, but I'd suspect either RAM, or video problem.
Do you have separate video card, or it's on-board?
Do you have more, then one memory stick installed? If so, try them one-by-one.

[Majjam]

Seperate vid card.
Not sure what you mean by using my memory sticks.

[Broni]

Not sure what you mean by using my memory sticks.

When you look inside your computer, you'll see 1, or more RAM modules ("sticks").
If you have more, then 1...
Let's say, you have two of them.
Remove one of them, and start your computer.
Won't start?
Remove existing one, and put another one in.
Will it start?
If no difference, put both of them back, remove your video card. start your computer.

[Majjam]

Don't know what they look like. The RAM modules meaning.

[Broni]

They look like this:

[Majjam]

Single RAM module removed, Video card removed. Problem not fixed.

[Broni]

Did you try second RAM module?

[Majjam]

There was only one.

[Broni]

Well, you can't start computer without AT LEAST one RAM module.
You have to test your RAM, then.
To do so, go here: http://www.memtest86.com/
Follow manual at "Technical Info" section.

If your RAM test comes up OK, I'd suspect motherboard being shot, but you'll still have to wait for some experts opinions.

[Majjam]

Okay. Thank you for all your help.

[Broni]

You're welcome. I wish, I've brought some better news.