Boot Problems

ColFreeman · 28 Feb 2011 at 12:48

After a swap out of TV cards my PC would not boot. Even replacing the original card or having no card at all. PC starts up with fans and DVD drive powered. Screen shows Bios Company, Processor and Memory and two options F2 Set Up [Bios] and F11 Boot options - neither of which work.
Have checked all connections and replaced CMOS battery. At one point I managed to get F2 to work and entered the BIOS and was able to reset clock etc. Then able to open windows as normal. I then shut down and inserted required TV card and booted up and all worked again and able to install crad drivers without difficulty (this card was originally installed in this PC by the way so should be no incompatibility). Used PC for an hour with no problems. Next time a went to boot up PC problem had returned and cant access Bios. Is this maybe a PSU issue ? Thx. [Win 7 HP 64bit Quad Core]

paradisiac · 28 Feb 2011 at 12:50

sounds like it might be a psu issue or maybe something is lose? have you checked all cables are in tight?

ColFreeman · 28 Feb 2011 at 13:38

Yes all connections are firm. Is it possible to leave the existing PSU in place, unplug all the connectors and then plug another PSU into the motherboard ? This would presumably boot up to point where it needs HDD for windows but If I get to that point it would confirm PSU issue.

paradisiac · 28 Feb 2011 at 13:51

yes you can do that, but you said it started working again for a short while, so it would only confirm that the problem is not there at that point in time. if its an intermitant problem then you would be better swapping it out completly for a few days to be 100% sure the problem s gone.

ColFreeman · 28 Feb 2011 at 14:02

Thanks paradisiac for taking the time to respond - yes, good point. My spare PSU is not the same fan size but seems to be okay otherwise. Should I worry about the current one saying Version 2.03 - I'm not sure what that relates to.

paradisiac · 28 Feb 2011 at 14:11

im pretty sure a psu is a psu, so aslong as you have enough wattage and the right connectors it will be fine. unless its a cheap one, then i would think twice before running anything expensive off of it.
for a trial then it should be ok, but being an intermitant fault its completly up to you on how long you think is a realistic timescale to make the judgement on if its psu or not, but it sounds very possible.

ColFreeman · 28 Feb 2011 at 14:13

Thanks. After I have a go I will post result in case helps others in the future. Much appreciate your comments.

ColFreeman · 23 Mar 2011 at 13:09

Well I was offline for a while and bought an iMac in the interim ! Nevertheless a new PSU fixed the Windows machine. A further check with all usb connectors removed and just leaving screen attached allowed normal boot so I correctly assumed the PSU was on its way out. Thanks all.

kPATm · 23 Mar 2011 at 14:20

That exactly what I did trying to find why my PC wouldnt boot. After much messing about I used and old PSU to power the mobo and my current PSU to power everything else. It booted first time so I just received a new PSU today and just fitted it 5 mins ago. All is well