Troubleshooting help - can't boot into Windows

ShakeNBake

ShakeNBake

ShakeNBake

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Surrey, UK
Original post: http://forums.overclockers.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18293659

My problem:
The computer is responding when power is turned on, runs through all the bootup checks (black background white text etc.), I can enter the motherboard BIOS fine, but when it tries to load Windows, it reboots just as soon as the 4 small colours of the Windows logo start swirling. After rebooting, it then insists on loading Windows repair tool, spends ages checking, and says it cannot repair the error.

Setup:
Windows 7 64-bit OS - hard drive works fine in another PC, so the Windows install is not corrupt or anything.
500W PSU - seems to be working fine, is a good quality one not some eBay special.
Monitor - works fine on another PC.
GPU - nVidia GTX9800+, works fine in another PC, I have also tried booting with this out and just using the on-board graphics.

so it would appear the problem is caused by either the MB, RAM or CPU;

RAM - 2x2GB DDR3 PC3-10666C9 1333MHz as seen here:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MY-183-OC&groupid=701&catid=8&subcat=1516
I tested the RAM in another PC, and it works fine.

MB - Gigabyte G41MT-S2P Intel G41 (Socket 775) DDR3 Motherboard
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=MB-344-GI&groupid=701&catid=5&subcat=1490
Brand new so lets assume it is working fine.

CPU - Q6600 (g0 stepping)
spec here: http://ark.intel.com/Product.aspx?spec=SL9UM

I cannot figure out why this particular system is refusing to boot Windows, but it must either be a dead CPU or CPU / RAM incompatibility, because I have exhausted all other options.

Does anyone know of a cheap (<£50) LGA775 Intel CPU that I can order, it does not have to be on par with a Q6600, this computer is only for music / media etc. and is no longer my primary gaming machine. It needs to be compatible with my motherboard and RAM as listed above. I was unaware that the LGA775 CPU's were compatible with DDR3, but they must be seeing as this motherboard is one of the only LGA775 ones still available from Overclockers.

If the computer is still refusing to boot with a new CPU, I will just drop a load of cash into a pre-built MB/CPU/RAM combo and admit defeat xD
 
Did you do a fresh install of windows on this PC or is it 'imported' from an earlier computer.

I would reinstall windows or try to get into safe mode and set up all the drivers.
 
nkata said:
Did you do a fresh install of windows on this PC or is it 'imported' from an earlier computer.
Click to expand...

It has been imported from an earlier computer.

However, the hard drive boots windows 100% fine in another computer which is completely different to this one. There is not a problem with the windows install or the hard drive as far as I can tell. Although it is recommended to reinstall windows when transferring hard drives between pc's, I have never had problems in the past, and I have done this several times. It shouldn't be a driver incompatibility issue either.

I am 99% sure it is a problem with the RAM/CPU/MB, either something is not compatible, or something is dead. I have tried a bunch of different settings for CPU/RAM clocks, as well as the "fail-safe" defaults, and nothing is getting me in to Windows. The RAM works fine and the MB is brand new, so that leaves the CPU.

I think my next step is to order a cheap LGA775 CPU and see if that will boot Windows.

Probably go for this:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=CP-388-IN&groupid=701&catid=6&subcat=567
 
hmmm...

error%20details%20(Large).JPG
 
This is likely to be due to the new PC needing a different SATA driver than the one which is enabled in the Windows installation on the HDD. Probably it's an IDE/AHCI mode conflict.

With new hardware a new Windows installation is always the best option.
 
Alright well I have tried putting my Windows 7 disc in the CD drive, and selecting it to boot from CD in BIOS. It does the normal stuff with black screen and white text, then it tells me to press a key to boot from CD. However, my USB keyboards are not responding at this stage, and I can't boot from the CD!!! I have 2 keyboards in the house and neither of them are working at this stage, which is very odd cos they work fine in the BIOS settings etc. I also can't find one of those little USB -> oldschool keyboard input adaptors anywhere in the house, to try using the old keyboard connector (PS2 or something?)

Any ezmode way of getting this pc to boot my windows 7 disc without needing to press a key...?
 
I just tried putting the hard drive from my gaming system into the non-booting PC, and it is still not booting.

I am now 99% sure that it is a hardware problem rather than an problem with a windows install. Why would 2 seperate hard drives with 2 seperate installs work fine on one computer, but not at all on another computer, unless there was a hardware problem? In this case - busted cpu.

I am going to try buying a new CPU, the E6600, and if that doesn't work, I'll finally try wiping the hard drive and doing a fresh install of Windows.

Thanks for all the advice & suggestions so far, will update the thread when I have the new CPU in - look out for the update.
 
Last edited:
ShakeNBake said:
I just tried putting the hard drive from my gaming system into the non-booting PC, and it is still not booting.

I am now 99% sure that it is a hardware problem rather than an problem with a windows install. Why would 2 seperate hard drives with 2 seperate installs work fine on one computer, but not at all on another computer, unless there was a hardware problem? In this case - busted cpu.
Click to expand...
Just because a Windows install will boot in one PC is no guarantee it will boot in a different PC. The install on the disk has a set of drivers which are specific to the machine on which Windows was installed. If you put that disk in a machine which needs different drivers it probably won't boot.

If, on the other hand, your CPU was dead then the machine would be totally dead.
 
Ok, so if the new cpu doesn't fix the problem, I will format the hard drive and re-install windows 7 on it. It is just a massive pain to save backup copies of everything onto another hard drive, and then install everything again / transfer everything back on the fresh hard drive, especially if your internet speed is rubbish :(


also:
deanolfc said:
insert repair disk , open the
command promt type in bootrec.exe ' options will appear '

type
bootrec /rebuildbcd
Click to expand...

Does this format the hard drive in any way, or is it possible to carry this out without losing any data? Can't find any info about this online through search engines. I can try this tomorrow before opening the new CPU, after backing up the data on the HD. Might try reinstalling Windows 7 before opening the CPU as well if you are really sure that it is more likely to fix my problem than a new CPU, because the Q6600 is considerably faster than an E6600... Can easily get the CPU refunded if it is unopened, but at least it is there if the Windows reinstall fails to fix the problem. Got work now so won't be able to test anything else until tomorrow.
 
Aight guys, I tried the bootrec.exe tool today but that wasn't able to fix the problem.

I saved the stuff on the hard drive on my gaming PC, then wiped the hard drive and re-installed Windows 7. The computer is now working fine with the Q6600 + new MB + DDR3 RAM. Gonna return the E6600 un-opened for a refund.

Thanks a lot for your help, lesson learnt for me;

ALWAYS FORMAT A HARD-DRIVE AND REINSTALL WINDOWS WHEN CARRYING OUT A LARGE CHANGE IN HARDWARE!
 
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