Computer hangs

**forwindri** · August 31st, 2005, 11:28 PM

I have a Compaq Deskpro 2000, 6200 that I am trying to get running. It runs about 3 minutes and freezes up. If I go into the bios setup to run the test disk it freezes before it finishes. When I put a harddrive in and try to format it, the computer stops at about 16%. When I put a harddrive in that has an OS installed, it stops at the windows 98 screen.

**Ferrit** · September 1st, 2005, 08:56 AM

Nearly sounds like its overheating

**forwindri** · September 1st, 2005, 03:58 PM

When I run Compaq's diagnostic test it states that there is a problem accessing the test module for - SCSI2.TM, what does this mean? It hangs before the test is finished.

**peterpam** · September 2nd, 2005, 03:15 AM

First reset your bios (find in manual how to clear cmos, usualy by removing battery and switching a jumper).

Check if all cables and hard drive jumpers are in place,

Then, go to bios on startup and see if the harddrive e correctly configured (you can leave it in auto).

See if the problem has gone away.

Hope that helped

Greetings from the country of Sun

**forwindri** · September 2nd, 2005, 10:04 PM

I have done all of that. I have changed drives, with the same results.

**Ruslan** · September 3rd, 2005, 12:32 PM

Originally Posted by forwindri

I have done all of that. I have changed drives, with the same results.

Did you actually replace the harddrive? Same results?

"Stopped at 16%" sounds like bad sectors on harddrive to me...

**clauded** · September 3rd, 2005, 05:50 PM

i have seen this caused by bad ram.check your ram

**slgrieb** · September 6th, 2005, 04:36 PM

RAM, is a good possiblity, but so are overheating of the CPU or even a bad board. I would open the case and do a quick visual on the mainboard. Look for any burns, leaking capacitors or other obvious problems. I would also pull the heatsink and see if your thermal interface material has migrated. If you don't have thermal compound making a good seal between the CPU and heatsink, the processor can overheat while the heatsink remains cool to the touch. Be sure the fan turns freely and everything isn't dust clogged.

Speaking of which, exercise a little caution when touching the heat sink. Let it cool a few seconds after the machine has been shut down. I've had a couple burn the daylights out of me.

You don't say precisely which 6200 you have, (some even take 72 pin SIMMS!) but most use low-density (double sided) SDRAM. If you have added memory, installing a standard module can cause the behavior you describe.

So, I think you have either bad or incorrect RAM, or a bad mainboard. If you have access to alternate RAM of the proper type swap it and see what happens.

**JeffO93** · September 9th, 2005, 05:12 PM

This could also be a bad power supply.

slgrieb is right about RAM. And don't think that because it's the same good ol' tried-and-true RAM you've been using that it can't go bad. I've had it happen.

When looking for bad capacitors, some boil the contents out in white, brown, gray, or even black, sometimes at the base and sometimes out the top. Some, though, don't boil anything out, but you'll see a bulge in the top. I've seen fried capacitors continue to work for months before total failure.