My computer won't start :( Can anyone help?

Kenjiin

Kenjiin

Kenjiin

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Joined
27 Sep 2008
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260
Location
Maidstone
Hi, I've recently been having trouble with my computer starting. Its taken me 9hrs before its finally decided it will turn on today. I'm not tech savy so I'll do my best to explain.

Basically a lot of the time when I turn the power on it will get stuck on the bios start up screen and won't respond to my keyboard. Sometimes it get's further than others, but it always just stops and I have to turn it off, leave it a few mins before I try again.

I took some pics of the screens it gets stuck on.

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/41/img00319201104150850.jpg/

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/685/img00320201104150851.jpg/

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/214/img00321201104150851.jpg/

And sometimes it just does this...
http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/714/img00322201104150855.jpg/

Eventually it turns on, but it could take 10 mins of trying or it could take all day. Today though it was getting past these stages and freezing on the Windows System Recovery page, where it asks me if I want to run the recovery or start windows normally. I was getting around 3 secs to choose and option but the it would freeze. Even if I had managed to start the recovery and it was loading the windows files, it would freeze. Or if I managed to choose Start windows normally it would freeze on the startup windows 7 logo.

I don't know what causing this or how to fix it, I really need some help :( It was pure luck that I got it to turn on today, and it runs fine once its got going.

Someone help! >_<
 
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What's the spec of the system, I see it's a AMD CPU but do you have the motherboard make and model, also the memory.

Are you using the onboard gpu or external card.
 
The motherboard is a Gigabyte S-series M61PME-S2P, using an ATI 4850 1gb GPU.

At a quick glance the RAM seems to be Kingston Hyperx DDR2.
 
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.110622-1506)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd.
System Model: M61PME-S2P
BIOS: Award Modular BIOS v6.00PG
Processor: AMD Athlon(tm) II X2 245 Processor (2 CPUs), ~2.9GHz
Memory: 4096MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 4096MB RAM
Page File: 3403MB used, 4785MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode

Card name: ATI Radeon HD 4800 Series
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: ATI display adapter (0x9442)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_9442&SUBSYS_02821043&REV_00
Display Memory: 2808 MB
Dedicated Memory: 1016 MB
Shared Memory: 1791 MB
Current Mode: 1440 x 900 (32 bit) (60Hz)

Not sure if any of that helps, apart from the basic stuff its all just another language to me :/
 
I've tried unplugging the cable from the PSU and motherboard when its happened. That used to help, but now it does nothing. I've changed the position of the cables yeah. No high pitched noises, everything sounds fine.
 
go into the bios and restore to default settings.

You could try flashing your bios as well with the latest version.

Try booting with only one mem stick installed.

Unplug all devices attached to the mobo except your monitor. Ive had a faulty keyboard do strange things in the past
 
Er guys...

This morning I tried putting in an old hdd to see if it helped, I wasn't sure if the hdd I tried was knackered though. The comp powered on but nothing came on the screen so I think it was dead. Anyways I turned my comp off and then switched it off at the back so I didn't shock myself. Put my actual hdd back and switched the mains back on... And now the comp won't power up at all! No power go's to the computer when I turn it on, its like it dead.

What would have caused this to happen, surely the PSU didn't just randomly die? It was on a few seconds ago with the old hdd and now it refuses to show any sign of life. Has plugging in a dead hdd broken my comp all together?
 
  • Turn off your PSU and unplug the connection from the main supply. Also remove the PSU cable.
  • Hit the power button, to make sure all of the power is discharged from the PSU.
  • Unplug your DVI/VGA cable from your graphics card.
  • Unplug your mouse and keyboard too.
  • Remove all of the power cables from your motherboard and all peripherals.
  • Remove the graphics card and all RAM.
  • Remove the CMOS battery (little watch battery) from the motherboard and replace it after 10 seconds.
  • Plug the power connections back into the motherboard.
  • Plug in your mouse and keyboard.
  • Reinstate your Hard Drive.
  • Replace 1 stick of RAM.
  • Plug your monitor into the VGA/DVI out on the motherboard. If your motherboard does not have a VGA out, plug the graphics card back in.
  • Plug the PSU back into the mains socket.
  • Turn it on.

Those above steps are just to narrow down the culprit.

If your computer boots up and loads into Windows, with the minimal hardware and onboard VGA. You'll know that it's another peripheral causing havok.​

With Graphics Card:
If it loads with the GPU and 1 stick of RAM. Then it was probably the RAM causing the issue.

Without Graphics Card:
If it loads, turn it off again and swap out the stick of RAM to one of the other ones you have. If it doesn't load with the 'next' stick of RAM, you've found the culprit. Insert your graphics card and buy some new RAM :)

If all of the RAM works, insert the graphics card. If it doesn't load then you'll know that it is your GPU causing the problem.

If There Is Still No Power:
Yeah, it's probably your PSU. Unless your motherboard has a 'reset' or onboard 'power' switch. Almost like a circuit breaker.

If you're still having problems, then I'm snookered, without looking at it!

I'd recommend avoiding those 'repair' shops. They just overcharge you, cause I know I would too! Try and drag a 'techie' friend in to give you a hand. They usually fix it for free or just based on how generous you're feeling! (£10-£20, or a few pints :))
 
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