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Wierd boot up problem
- Thread starter ges
- Start date
Quote from mmm:
Ges,
Have you tried disconnecting the unnecessary components from your system?
It's easy to do, and might solve your problem.
-- M
Yes, I've done that.
Got it to boot with almost all the ini/startup/services turned off, so thought I was making progress, but then it reverted to the flashing screen no-boot, and often doesn't even seem to get to the BIOS. So, maybe it's motherboard or power supply?
ges
We used to test MB's that we sold alone by putting the CPU, memory and video card only on the board then powering it up. If the video comes up and it counts up the RAM it was usually a good board. But, it sounds like it is your MB or some part of it.
If the above works, short of buying a new MB or HD, put the HD in your good (working) computer and see if that one boots up with the suspect HD.
BTW, when you are in the case make sure you are using an antistatic band or you are keeping yourself grounded by touching the case and not moving your feet and not standing on carpet. Keep live power to the power supply so the case is a ground.
If the above works, short of buying a new MB or HD, put the HD in your good (working) computer and see if that one boots up with the suspect HD.
BTW, when you are in the case make sure you are using an antistatic band or you are keeping yourself grounded by touching the case and not moving your feet and not standing on carpet. Keep live power to the power supply so the case is a ground.
Quote from ges:
Yes, I've done that.
Got it to boot with almost all the ini/startup/services turned off, so thought I was making progress, but then it reverted to the flashing screen no-boot, and often doesn't even seem to get to the BIOS. So, maybe it's motherboard or power supply?
ges
Quote from pspr:
We used to test MB's that we sold alone by putting the CPU, memory and video card only on the board then powering it up. If the video comes up and it counts up the RAM it was usually a good board. But, it sounds like it is your MB or some part of it.
If the above works, short of buying a new MB or HD, put the HD in your good (working) computer and see if that one boots up with the suspect HD.
BTW, when you are in the case make sure you are using an antistatic band or you are keeping yourself grounded by touching the case and not moving your feet and not standing on carpet. Keep live power to the power supply so the case is a ground.
Thanks, Wally. My other computer is a laptop, so I can't put the HD in it for testing. However, I am thinking about getting another desktop computer. Then if I can get this broken one fixed, I'll keep it as a non-trading machine or sell it.
If I get anothe machine, I suppose I can just put the HD from this computer into the new one as a slave. I'm sure I couldn't just put it in as the master and have it boot up, could I? Can't imagine that working.
ges
Quote from mmm:
Ges,
Did you physically disconnect the components?
You may want to try that before you fiddle with the registry or restoring a prior system restore point. That way you'll save your current software settings.
-- M
Yes, physically disconnected. Although I haven't discoed the DVD, CD or floppy. Maybe I'll try those, too.
ges
Sure, that should work, too if the problem wasn't the HD. But you would probably want to use the new HD with a new computer as it would probably be bigger and faster.
You can also just buy a new MB to put in the computer (if it is IBM compatible and not a proprietary MB setup) or a bare bones case and use some of the stuff from your existing computer. You may need new memory, video card depending on the what you have in the old one vs what the new one needs and accepts.
BTW, the problem could even be the RAM in your computer. You could pull this out and put it back in in a different order if it is all the same type and size. Sometimes RAM unseats itself and needs to be pulled out and pushed back in anyway.
You can also just buy a new MB to put in the computer (if it is IBM compatible and not a proprietary MB setup) or a bare bones case and use some of the stuff from your existing computer. You may need new memory, video card depending on the what you have in the old one vs what the new one needs and accepts.
BTW, the problem could even be the RAM in your computer. You could pull this out and put it back in in a different order if it is all the same type and size. Sometimes RAM unseats itself and needs to be pulled out and pushed back in anyway.
Quote from ges:
Thanks, Wally. My other computer is a laptop, so I can't put the HD in it for testing. However, I am thinking about getting another desktop computer. Then if I can get this broken one fixed, I'll keep it as a non-trading machine or sell it.
If I get anothe machine, I suppose I can just put the HD from this computer into the new one as a slave. I'm sure I couldn't just put it in as the master and have it boot up, could I? Can't imagine that working.
ges
Ges,
You will of course have to physically remove unnecessary cards from your system (ie, sound cards, controller cards, etc.).
Removing excess RAM memory might be good to try as well, leaving you only the bare minimum.
Given how much you value your time, might be cheaper to just buy a new computer.
-- M
You will of course have to physically remove unnecessary cards from your system (ie, sound cards, controller cards, etc.).
Removing excess RAM memory might be good to try as well, leaving you only the bare minimum.
Given how much you value your time, might be cheaper to just buy a new computer.
-- M
Wally and mmm,
Time is a problem. I use the computer intensively for my trading activities.
I may get a new machine and then work on getting this one working again. It's a good machine with good graphics, etc. It would make a good gaming machine for someone and if I sell it soon, should still have some value. Obviously I've got to get it working again first and can't waste too much money on that effort or it's not worth it.
My next machine is going to be dual hard drives, with ghosting capability. Won't help in the case of a hardware problem, but I'm going to be more careful in the future.
ges
Time is a problem. I use the computer intensively for my trading activities.
I may get a new machine and then work on getting this one working again. It's a good machine with good graphics, etc. It would make a good gaming machine for someone and if I sell it soon, should still have some value. Obviously I've got to get it working again first and can't waste too much money on that effort or it's not worth it.
My next machine is going to be dual hard drives, with ghosting capability. Won't help in the case of a hardware problem, but I'm going to be more careful in the future.
ges