PC freezes before boot up!

[Fingy]

Now that I just got my computer working properly my Dad tells me his wont boot up. Normally the HP screen comes on for a few seconds than windows boots up. But now the HP screen freezes (this is the very first screen when you turn the computer on) and is totally unresponsive. I cant get into bios or format the HD or anything. I opened the computer made sure the connections where good, dusted etc. Then I plugged in a different keyboard and still nothing responded.Will buying a new HD fix the problem or is the motherboard toast?

[Shaio]

If you cant get to the bios then your mobo is probably gone, although it could be bad ram, if its got more then one stick, try removing them, and leaving only one in at a time.

Also try a ps2 keyboard if you haven't, Usb bios support may be turned off thus making you unable to enter the bios.

New hard drive will have no effect.

[Taiji]

When you turn on the PC holding down F10 do you hear the pc speaker beep when the keyboard buffer is full?

Does any key fill the buffer? (yes I know there is no 'any' key... )

When you tested a second keyboard was it the same type (usb/ps2)? If so then try the other type, and try with no keyboard.

If you have some reason to suspect the hdd, does the PC post when you disconnect it?

Shaio's suggestion, to alternate the mem stick used if you have 2, is a good one. But make sure you destat yourself by holding the unpainted surface of your central heating, or your kitchen taps, or the inside of your case with the power connected up..etc. Or you might kill your ram. Don't rub a balloon on your hair and play with your ram...

Finally... this might sound like voodoo but disconnect your power and hold in the power button, then reconnect and power up. It's called an 'ATX reset', a technique handed down by ancient masters of forbidden arts. It's used in situations like this, plus the one where the power light comes on but nothing else does, or even the one where nothing comes on at all. I wouldn't expect it to work though...

But on the basis of the problem presented, with no further diags, I would be looking at replacing the mobo. Lots of things can cause it to fail at post but not much will cause a freeze that prevents access to the bios... except a broken mobo.... or a stuck key.... ....

[magpie]

had a similar problem today, had just fitted some new ram. one of the sticks was bad, hence the trouble, lucky I had another set, installed it and problem ceased.

[Fingy]

I tried each stick of ram individually and that didnt do it. I tested the battery and it was good. Looks like a new motherboard for me.

[GasMask]

Be sure its not your OS install a new OS before you buy new hardware if that does not fix buy a new part or even better buy a new system.

[Taiji]

I doubt he can, Gas. It doesn't pass post, so it won't boot from a disk.

[GasMask]

I doubt he can, Gas. It doesn't pass post, so it won't boot from a disk.

Dissconnect your HDD tell me what happens.

Possible causes:
-placing speakers too close to the CPU (ie, hard drive) (speakers are shielded)
-Changing an important system file because i had installed a windows program which allowed me to change the Boot screen Logo and picture to make it loook cool. It started since i messed up with that file
-OR due to hard drive failure (doubt it because why would i be able to log into safe mode then)
-I DONT KNOW

Both of the cd roms were set as slaves and this is what caused the conflict.Mine would boot normally sometimes but most of the time it would lockup at the first XP logo. Changed 1 cd rom to master and now all is fine. Hope this helps someone- Hope it helps

As last resort or even as first if repair doesnt work and you need to access and save your files before reformating: Remove your hard drive and make it a secondary slave on an existing computer that will boot up. Copy the files to the other computer's system (no CD's or anything else needed) Reformat your non-working hard drive with your old operating system. Copy your wanted files from the other computer via usb or other means you choose and wala, problem solved. System runs faster after reformatting and you have your wanted files. ** be sure and scan your files for viruses before opening them on the other computer as it could infect the other comp as well if it is a virus**

1:Start chkdsk /r not in safe mode but fromwindows and follow the prompts.

2: Unplug all periferalls, i.e printers, mouse, anything usb and try that.

3: see if the machine starts ok in safe mode, if it does disable main drivers easpecially graphics drivers..quite often a faulty graphic driver file will cause the boot process to freeze as graphics drivers are usually only loaded after the boot screen.

4: completely down power for at least 5 minites...this includes turning of the power and unpluging it at the power point, if its a laptop, disconnect the battery for a few mins.

Had a problem like that before it turned ot the PSU was not doing its job, but try to get into safe mode first, you could also try a repair install and if that does not work you could try a fresh install of windows incase it is a software problem.


Try all of that or some of that and i will find more solutions.

[mrcrusty]

Dissconnect your HDD tell me what happens.

Possible causes:
-placing speakers too close to the CPU (ie, hard drive) (speakers are shielded)
-Changing an important system file because i had installed a windows program which allowed me to change the Boot screen Logo and picture to make it loook cool. It started since i messed up with that file
-OR due to hard drive failure (doubt it because why would i be able to log into safe mode then)
-I DONT KNOW

Both of the cd roms were set as slaves and this is what caused the conflict.Mine would boot normally sometimes but most of the time it would lockup at the first XP logo. Changed 1 cd rom to master and now all is fine. Hope this helps someone- Hope it helps

As last resort or even as first if repair doesnt work and you need to access and save your files before reformating: Remove your hard drive and make it a secondary slave on an existing computer that will boot up. Copy the files to the other computer's system (no CD's or anything else needed) Reformat your non-working hard drive with your old operating system. Copy your wanted files from the other computer via usb or other means you choose and wala, problem solved. System runs faster after reformatting and you have your wanted files. ** be sure and scan your files for viruses before opening them on the other computer as it could infect the other comp as well if it is a virus**

1:Start chkdsk /r not in safe mode but fromwindows and follow the prompts.

2: Unplug all periferalls, i.e printers, mouse, anything usb and try that.

3: see if the machine starts ok in safe mode, if it does disable main drivers easpecially graphics drivers..quite often a faulty graphic driver file will cause the boot process to freeze as graphics drivers are usually only loaded after the boot screen.

4: completely down power for at least 5 minites...this includes turning of the power and unpluging it at the power point, if its a laptop, disconnect the battery for a few mins.

Had a problem like that before it turned ot the PSU was not doing its job, but try to get into safe mode first, you could also try a repair install and if that does not work you could try a fresh install of windows incase it is a software problem.


Try all of that or some of that and i will find more solutions.

If he can't even POST or access BIOS, then half of what you've said is impossible and the other half improbable.

Imo it's a busted motherboard, but as Taiji can attest to, I'm pretty horrible at troubleshooting, so don't make any decisions on my accord.

[Fingy]

I tried what gas mask suggested. I unplugged the hd and then turned on the computer. It was responsive again! I was able to go into bios and run a diagnostic. The CPU is fine, the ram is fine, dvd drive is fine. But when I reconnect the hd its back to the same old problem. Could it be the hard drive that is pooched?

[magpie]

Just one thing, It is a long shot, Have you tried resetting the bios, there is usually a button either on the board or the case for doing this.

[Taiji]

If he took the battery out it achieves the same thing, without power the bios will revert to defaults as soon as it gets power. It can't hold it's settings without power.

[Fingy]

I took the battery out and that didnt help.I cant put in a new OS, it freezes as soon as I turn on the computer.

[Taiji]

To be completely fair, Gas Mask does have a very good point.

If all drives are disconnected then it may not pass post, and we'd see no error mess because HP wants to hide 'scary stuff' during post.

But if one drive was connected, FDD, DVD, whatever, then we'd see 'can't load os' or whatever as soon as post passed.

And then again if the HDD was so broken (or magnetic interfereance made it seem that way) that it 'confused' the bios, then it wouldn't pass post, and wouldn't be looking for a drive to load from. Confusion is fatal for HW, but rare.

[TheColinz]

Sound like hard drives try on other PC see if HDD work.

[Shaio]

^ also try different IDE or sata ports on your mobo, and different sata/ide cables to your hdd, If you lucky, very lucky, it might be a bung cable.

[TheColinz]

If HDD work on other PC copy files to that PC then chuck HDD copy files to new HDD to put in PC .

[GasMask]

I'm always here to help im glad you found the problem anything else i can advise or be assistance with just PM me or post again in here i will watch over the thread .

Keep Me Updated

Taiji Thanks i appreciate your efforts to and thanks for that nice present you sent me .