Slow to boot into Windows - Graphics issue and BSOD

azibux1

azibux1

azibux1

Soldato
Joined
11 Oct 2011
Posts
3,335
Location
UK
Hi all,

Got a PC from someone (Dell XPS desktop, running Vista) and it has an issue where the graphics on the screen get all 'pixelated' and the machine resets itself.

This PC was running (not properly), but long enough to allow the user to back up their data

I just powered it on and got the below, just before a BSOD (which i couldn't read the error number on as it was much worse pixelation than the pic shown)

It is now sitting on a black screen with a cursor (doesn't appear to have made it into Windows yet)

Extra info:
- This error of sitting on the black screen with cursor started about 2 weeks ago after a storm
- The user has made it into Windows on more than once occasion by leaving it for a while
- Using a graphics card, not on-board graphics
- No onboard graphics

I was initially suspecting PSU (and made a post about this a couple of weeks ago), but that was because they said it wasn't powering on (I didn't know they could see a cursor)... But now I'm leaning towards possible graphics card or mobo issue

Will hopefully be able to get into Windows and check logs for the BSOD, but was wondering if anyone had any ideas in the meantime please?

Thanks in advance! :)

EDIT: Was sitting on the black screen with cursor for about 20 minutes so I reset it, and graphics seemed fine this time round, saw the Vista 'resuming windows' screen but then it got to the screen again which was presumably same as last time (black with cursor) but now this time round it is pixelated

Will try disk check, safe mode, booting from another HDD etc later when I have more time. But keep any ideas coming please

5PAsav4l.jpg
 
Last edited:
Looks like GPU to me. Have a spare you can try? If not, possibly motherboard

Unlikely to be HDD based as that would present itself in an inability to boot into Windows without any graphical corruption.

edit - assuming you've tried resetting the CMOS as a precautionary measure?
 
Last edited:
I'd agree. Pity there's no on board graphics to try but I had a GPU burn out on me years ago and had similar artefacts on screen. I wasn't getting blue screens though.
 
Update:

CMOS has been reset... same issue

Booted from Linux CD to rule out windows and hard drive... same issue

Currently running built in system diagnostics... same issue so hard to see results unfortunately

Will hopefully have a spare GPU to try... And hopefully that is the problem as it will likely be cheaper than mobo (it is only a basic GPU that will be needed as a replacement)
 
Further update

Tried a spare GPU and graphics issue seems to have stopped

Constant restarts though seems to have corrupted the windows install which still won't boot... Will need to restore, repair or reinstall that

Thanks for help all

Will update this when it is all complete
 
Yup thanks!

Repair didn't help anything, but will give it another go before a reinstall

System restore also failed, but will try that again too
 
Just go for a straight format / reinstall unless anything is needed desperately from the drive, in which case try slaving it to another machine (you could run a decent disk check that way too)
 
Reinstalled windows, new gfx card... Just about to install drivers but all appears to be working fine now

Thanks all
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom