bobby111

Hi, I am no beginner when troubleshooting PC's from hardware or software but this is the first time I need help:

The PC was given to me by somone to fix it is a Sony Vaio RX305, it crashes XP upto a certain point on loading, and stays there, it works in safe mode but that is it, I am pretty sure it is a hardware problem, having tested this computer I have done all these things:

1. Reformat the hard drive and install the operating system
2. Try another hard drive (Still the same crash occurs roughly on the same position so im guessing it is the hardware)
3. Trying out different RAM in the memory slots (even at single)
4. Removing the PCI cards (Helped load operating system slightly but computer still crashes)
5. Dusting PC and removing CD ROM Drives, Floppy Drives , Memory Stick Connections and other connections to the motherboard that are irrelevant
6. Cleared the BIOS (Taken main power lead out of motherboard and even replaced the CMOS battery and even held the power button for more than 15 seconds (still the same problem)
7. Tweaking with BIOS settings (disabling devices, helped slighly but still crashes)
8. Trying the graphics card on my other computer, the card is an AGP, that works fine but still not too sure
9. Booting computer without monitor and mouse inputs
10. I recovered the personal data through safe mode, obviously that works, it uses less system resources
11. Had a look at the IRQ table to see if there could be any conflict, I don't think there is
12. Even Norton Ghost crashes when cd rom is loaded at boot

The list and a whole range of other similar tests were done.

Can anyone help me out by giving suggestions.

P.S. Sony Vaio at technical support themselves do not know what else can be done to fix the problem other than sending it in for repair or replacing the motherboard which costs a worthless £400, a nice new built computer will cost £250.