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rmparent
Joined: 11 Dec 2005
Location: Gangnam
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 Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2013 7:27 pm Post subject: Need Help: Computer not booting |
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So I had my computer for about 5 years and as of late, it would just freeze, usually shortly after startup, and I would have to turn off the computer using the power button.
Now, the light will come on but it won't even boot. Luckily, I transferred all of my important files to a HDD when it started to act up.
Any idea on what this could be? The HD, mobo, bad ram, software issue (running Win7)?
Think I might just buy a new computer but willing to save this if the problem isn't too big and won't take too much time to fix.
Always get good advice here so hoping for the same this time.
Thanks in advance! |
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Adam Carolla
Joined: 26 Feb 2010
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| Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2013 8:43 pm Post subject: Re: Need Help: Computer not booting |
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| rmparent wrote: |
So I had my computer for about 5 years and as of late, it would just freeze, usually shortly after startup, and I would have to turn off the computer using the power button.
Now, the light will come on but it won't even boot. Luckily, I transferred all of my important files to a HDD when it started to act up.
Any idea on what this could be? The HD, mobo, bad ram, software issue (running Win7)?
Think I might just buy a new computer but willing to save this if the problem isn't too big and won't take too much time to fix.
Always get good advice here so hoping for the same this time.
Thanks in advance! |
Could be any number of things. If you listen to the beeps, that'll help you diagnose the problem (if you know what motherboard you've got.) For example, 3 short beeps on X brand motherboard might mean no video card detected. (These are called POST codes, fyi, but a google search of computer beep codes might also work.)
In any case, I had this issue crop up in the spring and fall pretty consistently and it was basically that I had to re-seat my ram. Re-seating the video card also wouldn't hurt. |
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rmparent
Joined: 11 Dec 2005
Location: Gangnam
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| Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2013 8:51 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks I'll try that tonight. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2013 9:12 pm Post subject: |
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When you turn it on:
IF it doesn't get to the POST (power on self test) and you can't get to the bios (usually press the <del> key during boot for most desktops) then it is hardware (RAM, CPU, GPU or mainboard).
IF you get past the POST and it dies/locks-up then the HDD is cooked.
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rmparent
Joined: 11 Dec 2005
Location: Gangnam
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| Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2013 9:20 pm Post subject: |
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| ttompatz wrote: |
When you turn it on:
IF it doesn't get to the POST (power on self test) and you can't get to the bios (usually press the <del> key during boot for most desktops) then it is hardware (RAM, CPU, GPU or mainboard).
IF you get past the POST and it dies/locks-up then the HDD is cooked.
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Yeah it won't boot up at all; just power-on and stay that way (nothing on the screen). It would suck if it's the HD. I managed to get all the important picture files that I need onto an external but there are still my music files on there.
If the HD is cooked, are the files still recoverable?
Thanks again. |
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ttompatz
Joined: 05 Sep 2005
Location: Kwangju, South Korea
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| Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2013 9:41 pm Post subject: |
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| rmparent wrote: |
| ttompatz wrote: |
When you turn it on:
IF it doesn't get to the POST (power on self test) and you can't get to the bios (usually press the <del> key during boot for most desktops) then it is hardware (RAM, CPU, GPU or mainboard).
IF you get past the POST and it dies/locks-up then the HDD is cooked.
. |
Yeah it won't boot up at all; just power-on and stay that way (nothing on the screen). It would suck if it's the HD. I managed to get all the important picture files that I need onto an external but there are still my music files on there.
If the HD is cooked, are the files still recoverable?
Thanks again. |
If there is no POST then it is not the HDD.
Possibly unseated RAM or video card.
More likely the mainboard cooked (heat or power surge).
Good time to buy a new mainboard, CPU and RAM.
At 5 years old it is due for retirement anyway.
Put in the new board (with NEW CPU and NEW RAM installed) and you get a cheap upgrade.
Get a new HDD (big ones are cheap) and save your old one as a "F:\drive".
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rmparent
Joined: 11 Dec 2005
Location: Gangnam
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| Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2013 9:46 pm Post subject: |
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| Thanks for the advice Tom. Yes, it's time to retire the old beast. |
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Underwaterbob
Joined: 08 Jan 2005
Location: In Cognito
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| Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2013 9:50 pm Post subject: |
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| If it's anything like my 2008 computer that died not long ago, some of the electrolytic capacitors have popped. Apparently there was a huge batch of faulty capacitors back then. Take a look at your motherboard for some small, black cylinders and see if they are bulging or leaking goo. |
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rmparent
Joined: 11 Dec 2005
Location: Gangnam
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| Posted: Sun Aug 18, 2013 10:07 pm Post subject: |
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| Will do that tonight too. Thanks Bob. 2008 is when I bought the computer but I actually bought a new motherboard a few years ago. Maybe that's what happened to the first one (and perhaps the second too if it was an older model?). |
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rmparent
Joined: 11 Dec 2005
Location: Gangnam
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| Posted: Tue Aug 20, 2013 8:52 pm Post subject: |
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Thanks for the advice everyone. I opened up the case, took out most of the dust and reseated everything. It booted up and I did a registry repair in safe mode so it seems to be working for now.
Think I'm going to buy a new laptop anyways as this computer is on it's last legs.
Thanks again! |
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