Question : Problem: pc doesn't always boot - seemingly random

My computer (which is quite old) has recently been having trouble starting up.

When it doesn't boot properly the following happens:

- start computer
- computer gets stuck at the point where it says:

Processor AMD Sempron 2600


I have to turn it off, and leave it for a while before turning back on. The amount of time I have to leave it off for seems to be totally random. Sometimes it is a few minutes, sometimes (including this time) several hours.

Now this is not a problem if all I do is start the computer once a day then turn off at night, but I often restart as I duel-boot windows XP and a linux distro.

I recently replaced 1 of the 2 sticks of ram due to ram failure so it might be the other bit but I think this sounds more like a motherboard dying.

Any clues anyone?

[specs of pc:]

AMD Sempron 2600 (1.58ghz)
Gigabyte 2004 RZ (Nforce 2)
Geforce FX 5200
1GB (2x512 sticks) DDR ram
200gb harddrive space (1x120gb - 1 x 80gb)

Answer : Problem: pc doesn't always boot - seemingly random

It could be several issues such as power supply, memory, and yes possible the motherboard that aging. You can download utility tool ubcd and test overall system see if you can get any error message indicated possible issue. It is long shot, and you might also consider new system that helps to save time trouble shooting this.