PC doesn't boot past POST sometimes

ericgomes

Member
Nov 16, 2008
94
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0
Sometimes, my computer will boot past the first stage of POST and it'll freeze. Sometimes, my computer will boot past the second stage of POST and then freeze. My computer also tends to freeze before POSTing when it displays the motherboard maker on my monitor. The most frustrating matter is this scenario happens spiratically. My computer boots up fine half the time, and the other half of the time I go through what I just stated before. Thanks in advance for your help guys.
 

mpilchfamily

Diamond Member
Jun 11, 2007
3,559
1
0
First thing you need to do is get a speaker connected to the motherboard so you can listen for the beep codes. When it hangs durring or before POST it will give you an audio signal that will indicate what the problem area is. Some motherboards have a speaker built in and cases use to come with one but you don't see that too often anymore. So you may need to purchase a little kit like this to give you the speaker you need.
http://www.frozencpu.com/produ...C_ATX_Control_Kit.html

Once you have the beep code you can look it up here based on what bios your motherboard uses.
http://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm
 

ericgomes

Member
Nov 16, 2008
94
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0
Thanks for your contribution, mpilchfamily. However, there aren't any beeps that occur. It's a simple freeze, and it doesn't always happen. Like I said, it's random and I can't predict it either. Is something not stable though? Should I reformat or something? Thanks!
 

ch33zw1z

Lifer
Nov 4, 2004
39,783
20,373
146
If you're not getting any POST errors, then there's a couple things you can try. Like reseating all the components, and updating you BIOS (even if it's at the latest, re-flash it).

when the computer is up and running, is it stable?
 

dhorn

Senior member
Jul 11, 2008
213
0
71
Sometimes flaky components will cause a computer not to boot. It may also be wise to take parts out of the computer until it's bare minimum and see how well it boots, then add one component at a time until you hit a hiccup.