PC Booting Troubles

[Corey0808]

I'm having a really big problem with my PC. Most of the time when I shutdown or restart the system either won't post or it looks like it's doing something and I get no video. I have tried another video card with the same results so I know that's not the problem. The only way for me to get my computer back up and running again is to take out my memory and put it back in. Sometimes this works and sometimes I have to do it a couple of times.

What is wrong? Is my motherboard malfunctioning? My memory?

My system is in my signature... PLEASE HELP! Thanks!

 

[powerMarkymark]

Try memtest to test your memory.

 

[meltdown75]

I had the exact same problem, and never did find a solution. Now I rarely shut down, but it's going to suck if it happens when I bring my rig to a LAN party.

 

[LED]

Seems like it may be the Memory...maybe the contacts so take out the sticks and try cleaning em

 

[Corey0808]

I ran memtest on my machine for 1 hr 36 min and I had no errors whatsoever. Any other tests I can run to try and determine the problem?

EDIT::: I was just browsing the Anandtech forums and I randomly lost video... exactly like when I was trying to boot up. So I hit reset and it wouldn't post again so I reseated the RAM and it worked fine.. Any ideas???

 

[Corey0808]

bump!

 

[40Hands]

hmm could be your mobo. I would try another one if you have a spare. If not then you could go buy one and return it if it is not the issue.

 

[Corey0808]

I don't have the money to go out and buy another motherboard to test it.... Is there any other diagnostic I could run?

 

[40Hands]

When you start up the computer do the fans and lights all come on? just no beep/video? If your motherboard is newer then you could RMA or return it for a replacement. Could also be defective memory.

 

[Corey0808]

Everything comes on and I even get Hard drive activity like it is booting up. But there are NO SOUNDS / NO VIDEO... I have run memtest on my memory and it reported no errors. I'm not sure if it's one or both sticks I would highly doubt both sticks have gone defective at the same time. The bought the motherboard 11 months ago. I called mushkin support and they told me to bump the voltage up. I have done that and restarted twice so far with no troubles... but it's so random I don't know if that fixed the problem.

 

[dunkster]

Diagnostic programs are useless for an intermittent problem. It's probably just one faulty connection point or oxidized contact point or intermittent ground point.

If your mobo were faulty, it likely wouldn't boot at all.

Power down and pull the plug from the wall.

Inspect the heads of the motherboard mounting bolts. Do any appear to be touching adjacent traces? If so, either remove that bolt or replace it with a bolt with a smaller head. Check that the shields at the rear of the case are not loose or contacting the board.

Remove and reseat every card. Remove and reseat every cable, including power plugs, video and IDE. Check every connection and plug that connects to the outside of the case and the connection to any peripheral device.

Intermittent operation is usually due to something simple.

Hope this helps!

 

[meltdown75]

I would do everything that dunkster recommends...

But if you do it all (more than once) and are still in the same boat, welcome to my world.

 

[Corey0808]

I'm getting a new case really soon I"ll try everything you said dunkster and I'll be back here if I can't figure it out. Thanks for the help everyone!!