Boot Issues

[Jafo]

I attended a lan party with my coworkers Saturday and everything was smooth sailing. Sunday I got home and got a few hours sleep and was back up to hook my computer up. I boot the computer up and started using it as usual and all of a suddent I see a blue screen with text for a split second (could read it fast enough) and the computer reboots. It seemed as if it was going to boot (the usual boot text appears) but then instead of seeing the Windows logo nothing happens but a black screen. I then manually shutdown and boot again (same result). I then boot again and go to the boot menu to select the last working setup (same result). I then decide to check all my wiring to make sure something didn't come loose in the travel from ealier in the morning (everythings connect tight). I then decide to try a Windows repair but Windows doesn't recognize my hard drive, so I opt to do a full install with the same result. After I rebooted again I get power but nothing else. I open the case up and disconnect everything and connect the minimum things for booting (same result). I try rebooting again and I get power but the power then shuts off. I boot again and it power on but doesn't boot enough to even get to the bios. I am thinking it is the power supply again, but since I've had this system I've replaced the power supply 3 times and the motherboard once in the last year. I'm open to any and all suggestions.

[Hitman]

Please post your system specs in your Sig, so we can help you with some suggestions.

[Jafo]

Originally Posted by Hitman

Please post your system specs in your Sig, so we can help you with some suggestions.

My signature is as follows:

[Quakindude]

I'd do the simple things first. Re-seat everything. Pull out every card and then reinstall it. Make sure all data connectors are still good. Is your HDD an IDE drive or SATA? If IDE, try replacing that cable. If SATA, they hardly ever go bad. Even try re-seating your CPU. If you have a big enough cooler on it, the movement it was subjected to can pull the CPU out of the socket a bit. Try using just one stick of ram. If you still have problems, use the other stick. If you get a good boot with one stick removed, then that stick is bad. Make sure all your fans are working. CPU and Video especially.

Other than those items I've listed, it's awful hard to troubleshoot without being in front of it.

Also try swapping the video cards out one at a time to see if one of them have gone bad.

Can you get into the Bios?

[Jafo]

Originally Posted by Quakindude

I'd do the simple things first. Re-seat everything.

I've done a Re-seat of everything except the cpu.

Originally Posted by Quakindude

Make sure all data connectors are still good.

done it this too.

Originally Posted by Quakindude

Is your HDD an IDE drive or SATA?

SATA.

Originally Posted by Quakindude

If you have a big enough cooler on it, the movement it was subjected to can pull the CPU out of the socket a bit.

I'm using stock heatsink and fan.

Originally Posted by Quakindude

Try using just one stick of ram.

I'll have to try this when I get home.

Originally Posted by Quakindude

Make sure all your fans are working. CPU and Video especially.

All fans are running although a few time all fans shut off except the cpu fan.

Originally Posted by Quakindude

Also try swapping the video cards out one at a time to see if one of them have gone bad.

I'll try this too.

Originally Posted by Quakindude

Can you get into the Bios?

Not anymore. After I tried the windows install, which it didn't detect my hard drive even though it listed the drive label I haven't been able to get to the bios.

[Reloadron]

I read where you have replaced the PSU three times. You didn't mention the PSU in your specifications but this is beginning to look like a PSU problem after all you have done/tried. That or a major motherboard problem causing the PSU to shut down. Obviously if you have another PSU available now would be a good time to try it.

Ron

[Jafo]

Ok, I've ruled out the psu now. I took everything apart and started out with the bare minimum and finally get to the bios. I can even get the the boot menu, but when I select safe mode, boot the last know setup, etc., it goes to a black screen. In the bios the primary SATA drive shows up as none and when I go to the raid setup it shows the drive as scsi. Is this a normal setting? Also when I try to do a Windows repair, the drive is not recognized but the drive label appears.

[Jafo]

I think I finally found the problem. I couldn't install windows or repair without a floppy drive. I took my floppy from my old machine and used it on the broken machine and was able to do the Windows repair. I believe the ram is the problem. I can boot fine now with both sticks but if I were to touch the ram while working inside the case it stops working. It took forever to get both sticks to work at the same time. I'm currently using 2GB kingston valueram. Anyways thank you to everyone for all the help. Maybe I will look into ordering some new ram.

[stinger608]

Originally Posted by Jafo

I think I finally found the problem. I couldn't install windows or repair without a floppy drive. I took my floppy from my old machine and used it on the broken machine and was able to do the Windows repair. I believe the ram is the problem. I can boot fine now with both sticks but if I were to touch the ram while working inside the case it stops working. It took forever to get both sticks to work at the same time. I'm currently using 2GB kingston valueram. Anyways thank you to everyone for all the help. Maybe I will look into ordering some new ram.

Pull both sticks out, and use some compressed air and blow the ram slots out real good and try it again. If you are still having issues, try some 91% rubbing alcohol and some cotton swabs and clean the ram, and the ram slots.

Just be aware to allow all said parts to dry completely before attempting to repower the system!!!!

[polobunny]

Originally Posted by stinger608

Pull both sticks out, and use some compressed air and blow the ram slots out real good and try it again. If you are still having issues, try some 91% rubbing alcohol and some cotton swabs and clean the ram, and the ram slots.

Just be aware to allow all said parts to dry completely before attempting to repower the system!!!!

Clean the connectors with a pencil eraser. I used the cotton swab method before but I have to agree to however told me, the eraser thing works wonder. :)