Complete failure

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Joined
15 Jan 2011
Posts
35
Guys, help please!

Built my system 2 or 3 years ago and haven't had any problems with it, other than the odd blue screen crash. Last time I had a blue screen Stop error it was a couple of weeks ago. Today I turned on the PC, inserted an SD card in my external reader to download some pictures to Adobe Lightroom, and plugged in my iPhone to sync. iTunes was sync'ing and Lightroom was finishing off the upload when suddenly both screen went black. There was a small multicoloured pixelated line on the left side of both screens, about a cm wide, but everything else was black. I turned off the PC by holding down the power switch. Now it won't boot up again. Turning on the machine shows the Asus screen with Bios option, then it says "Windows failed to start due to recent hardware/software changes". It gives me the option of repairing which I do. I get the loading Windows file for a few seconds then it goes to black and nothing happens before the machine turns off.

I'm guessing there's been a hardware failure? I have no idea though, or how to find out which one.

System is:

Asus P8h67-m evo
Intel i5-2500k
16GB corsair xms3 Ram across 4 sticks (2 extra added 6months ago)
Corsair 128GB SSD added 6 months ago to replace old 60gb SSD
Corsair vx450w psu
3 x hdd - I media 2 backup
I'm running two monitors, the 2nd added 3 months ago.

Only recent software change is the addition of Sony media studio for video editing etc.

Advice really appreciated as I need the machine for photography business!!
 
So, I've removed two of the RAM sticks and unplugged two of the HDDs too in case it helped the PSU (I'm clutching at straws a little) this had no effect.

I went into Bios and then advanced. When I selected AI tweaker then GPU boost, clicking okay, the PC instantly shuts down and restarts itself. When it comes back to life, straight into a black screen. I hadn't done it before so I don't know if this is normal, but that suggests there may be a problem with my processor maybe? It has a cooler master cooler attached and it's temp is currently 29deg.

I'm at a loss personally.
 
Try unplugging all you peripherals, including one of the monitors. Just try booting with the bare minimum. May also be worth trying with just the SSD plugged in and no other hard-drive.
When you installed originally did you have only the ssd in the machine?
 
Try unplugging all you peripherals, including one of the monitors. Just try booting with the bare minimum. May also be worth trying with just the SSD plugged in and no other hard-drive.
When you installed originally did you have only the ssd in the machine?

I've tried removing everything but the SSD and no change. I've cycled through the RAM sticks in a single slot, and again, no change. I've also reset the BIOS config, but no joy.

Planning on trying to run off the Windows boot disc when I pick it up tonight and I'll see how I get on. Thanks for the reply.
 
When you say 'reset the BIOS config' do you mean reset to defaults, or cleared cmos? If it's the former, then I'd try clearing cmos as well. Try the old battery removal trick for 5/10 mins.
It sounds like something corrupted when you were running the iphone/itunes software. I don't think it's hardware, more software/driver issue.
Oh, also, if you reset to default in bios, check it's back running on AHCI mode rather than IDE for your ssd.
You could also try a system restore to before the fault happened.
 
Remove your cmos battery for around 10min without any power going to your board then try booting it up and see what happens.
 
I've removed the CMOS battery, but it's not made any difference. POST sequence and then black screen as before.

I've got hold of my Windows 7 disc. When booting from the DVD It goes through the loading files bar at the bottom, I then get the windows sign, the the black screen again. After a minute or so, the machine switched itself off. Damn.

Any more ideas?
 
Latest update: I took the PC to my parents and used the PC I built for them. I removed my SSD and put it into their machine. After a windows repair it booted fine. I then removed their SSD and put it into my machine, nothing. Said I needed to enter a bootable drive...
So I'm guessing that means it's not a software issue and not a hardware issue with my SSD??
 
sounds like something has gone south with the mboard, unlucky bud.. sometimes you can actually see a melted/burnt component, mind it could be something very small! If you are getting to the boot screen may well be that once the particular bit heats up, then it shorts/stops making the connection. Only way to be sure is stick everything at stock then add bits in and test.
 
Tested with another psu? Could be on its way out,if its not that I'd say a mb fault

Swap with parents psu and see what happens
 
No mate, no peripherals connected except the SSD.

Boot options? Booting from SSD gives a black screen and from DVD gives a hang on the Windows screen or black screen.
 
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