PC hanging on POST

NamelessOne · 10 Oct 2008 at 22:06

Well over the past 3 weeks, I have formatted my computer several times trying to upgrade to XP. I had a stable installation until recently when I tried installing Microsoft Framework 3. I rebooted PC afterwords, now whenever I try to start PC up, It will not get past POST. It loads the processor, then hangs. I cannot even get to the BIOS or boot options, so i cannot check those either or repair the windows installation. Can anyone identify this problem for me? I was thinking of resetting the CMOS. Any advice?

RJC · 10 Oct 2008 at 22:14

If you post your full spec and is it a new build.
Might be worth doing a BIOS reset as you can't get into there.
Do you have more than one hard drive.

NamelessOne · 10 Oct 2008 at 22:25

I cannot give full detailed specs but heres the basic specs:
DFI Lanparty motherboard (cant remember exactly what type, lost the packaging)
Nvidia Geforce 7800GTX
AMD Dual-Core Opteron 175
Game Theatre XP soundcard
and the only thing thats different from my system before my series of formats was memory, I recently bought "OcUK Value 2GB (2x1GB) PC3200 184pin DDR Memory" However, it has worked fine up till now so I do not think it is the memory..
TSScorp DVD rom
and I have 5 harddrives.

I have tried unplugging the harddrives to see if that helps but to no avail.

Another thing to note is I do not think it is detecting any hardware. During the bootup, I have tried pressing the LOCK keys on the keyboard but no lights turn on as they usually do, so I have a feeling it might not be detecting the hardware in the first place.

RJC · 10 Oct 2008 at 22:45

It could well be a faulty motheboard, try doing cmos reset like you mentioned and try each ram stick or can you use your old memory and just have your boot drive connected.
What psu have you got (make and rating) could be a case this has gone and coursed your problems.

Princey · 10 Oct 2008 at 22:46

First off clear the CMOS. If that fails strip the system to the core components, ie mobo, CPU and RAM. If you still get no post try removing a stick of memory and movng them into different slots. If it posts ok then reconnect each item one by one until you've found which has been causing it.

EDIT: Beaten

NamelessOne · 10 Oct 2008 at 23:11

Thanks for the help and quick replies, will try both of your suggestions. I will post again with results.

NamelessOne · 12 Oct 2008 at 00:09

This was actually a simple problem. When I found my motherboard information I did some research on my motherboard (DFI Lanparty nF4 SLI-DR) and came across a problem on another site using the same motherboard. I read it to find out that USB devices cause problems on PC's booting up. I removed my USB stick and all was cushty. Thanks for the suggestions; The answer to this prolem might prove useful in future. Feel free to lock this thread.