About to go to a computer repair shop

Jawvig

Jawvig

Jawvig

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Joined
17 Nov 2003
Posts
30
Location
Wimbledon
I'm about to quit custom PC builds. Have now replaced every single component of PC (maybe not some screws) and still getting blue screens really randomly. Can no longer boot original Windows, so blue screens are happening when trying to install new Windows.

Chronology:
- Intermittent failure to reach BIOS screen. Turned into case fan not spinning up. Bearings seemed to have gone (guess).
- Replaced case fan
- Wouldn't completely boot into Windows all the time. Blue screens fingering various drivers. Most often network, but still occurred one network unplugged.
- Power LEDs fluctated on case
- Replaced PSU
- System worked for a day or so then started randomly blue screening again.
- Replaced CPU, Motherboard and Memory with bundle from OC
- Still getting blue screens, often in NTFS.sys
- Replaced HDD with new SSD from OC
- Booting from USB key (old IDE DVD drive not supported on new MB) to install Windows on new SSD. Blue screens at random times.
- Tried switching to known good monitor, keyboard, power lead, power socket. Unplugged all leads from case to MB other than power switch
- Same problems.
- Replaced Case
- Same problems.
- Random blue screens if using old 1TB HDD too (tested on original power lead, monitor, keyboard and power outlet)

What am I missing? Feels like there must be multiple problems, but I can't work out what's failing. Feels like maybe the MB/memory/CPU bundle, or else the new CPU. But difficult to claim faulty kit in situation like this.

What further tests can I do to narrow down the issue?

Or am I to go red faced to Geek Squad and ask them to sort it out? The shame.
 
Buchanan0204 said:
What stage does it reach before it gives up? Does it POST, does it reach the windows loading logo?

I never thought to ask what the PSU was? You did buy a quality one right?
Click to expand...

It POSTS, but I no longer have a bootable drive so it then starts on setting up Windows from USB. It loads the files and always gets to the point before being able to select a drive to install on. With the SSD at least I can see the partition and select it. Then blue screen may happen immediately or some time during unpacking the files.

:confused:
 
Have you set the voltages and timings in BIOS for you memory, if so run it bare bones out of the case for a start, do your research with google first as you don't want to do any harm to yourself or your pc, also as others have asked what is your full pc spec
 
Try a different monitor :)

Saw it once on here where a faulty monitor was causing the pc to not boot.

Barebones outside case in case its the case switch/wiring.

Have you changed power cables to psu (long shot i know)

Also have you tried different sata cables as the can go bad? (rare but it happens)
 
hyperst said:
Have you set the voltages and timings in BIOS for you memory, if so run it bare bones out of the case for a start, do your research with google first as you don't want to do any harm to yourself or your pc, also as others have asked what is your full pc spec
Click to expand...

I left the voltages and timings as they came from OC. Pretty sure it's not actually changed from OOtB settings by OC anyway, on the voltages and timings at least. Unless I'm misreading the BIOS screens.
 
What do you have the memory set to in the bios?

I see your above post now, suggest you try and find out if the memory is set correctly in the bios
 
Jawvig said:
I left the voltages and timings as they came from OC. Pretty sure it's not actually changed from OOtB settings by OC anyway, on the voltages and timings at least. Unless I'm misreading the BIOS screens.
Click to expand...

Sounds right, OCUK will have a profile in the BIOS with all the settings done for you.
 
postmanfw said:
Try a different monitor :)

Saw it once on here where a faulty monitor was causing the pc to not boot.

Barebones outside case in case its the case switch/wiring.

Have you changed power cables to psu (long shot i know)

Also have you tried different sata cables as the can go bad? (rare but it happens)
Click to expand...

Tried a different monitor, different VGA cable, different case. PSU doesn't have unpluggable leads, so can't change though. Don't think I have tried different SATA cable actually! Going to try that. Feel a little grasping at straws! It doesn't blue screen if I don't have any HD plugged in, but then you can't get far with Windows set up anyway then.

Will report back.
 
Try a bootable cd os like backtrack4 and see if it runs fine without a hard drive plugged in.

Have you tested the ram with memtest?

sorry for not reading first post properly where i see you tried all i previously suggested..
 
Jawvig said:
No joy. However, blue screen occurred prior to part of Windows Setup that accesses HDD. The error was a page fault in non paged area.

So I'm figuring I can eliminate HDD. Does it sound like memory? Or CPU?
Click to expand...

It sounds like memory issues, can you see what they are set too in the BIOS?
 
I'd lean towards RAM. Dodgy/unstable RAM can cause all sorts of BSODs. I'd hop into the BIOS and make sure timings and voltage are set within manufacturer's spec, maybe even run with just one dimm in. memtest as above is a good start (although it didn't pick up a faulty stick I had years ago that caused BSODs until I replaced it).
 
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