PC suddenly doesn't complete POST, hangs

[dze]

Since this morning my computer suddenly is hanging during post. It happens just after seconds annd then it hangs on this screen.

http://imgur.com/fX73IJD

The little line in the upper left corner still blinks, but the computer isn't responsive and the only option left is to turn it off using the power button. There are no beeps, no blinking lights on the motherboard.

I suspect it's a RAM related issue, but I'm not sure. All fans are working just fine, HDD's spinning as usual. DEFINITELY hope it's not a motherboard issue...

What I tried
- I can still get into BIOS, triple checked everything - but nothing seems out of order
- Taking RAM sticks out, trying different slots or just a single module
- Tried running RAM at its rated speed of 1600MHz, and also 1033MHz
- Unplugged everything except the bare essentials

- Also tried a totally different stick of RAM
- And a different boot drive

Specifications
AMD Phenom II X3 720 2,8GHz
OCZ Platinum 4GB DDR3 1600MHz (running at 1333MHz since I built the computer in early 2009)
Gigabyte GA-MA790XT-UD4P
Sapphire ATI Radeon HD 4890 1GB
Samsung Spinpoint F3 500GB
Samsung Spinpoint F1 750GB
CoolerMaster SilentPro 700W
Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit

Anyone got any idea how to solve this? You would have my eternal gratitude

 

[sandorski]

Try booting in Safe Mode(hold F8, if I remember correctly). That might work, indicating a problem with your Windows Install.

Another issue, and possibly related to a Windows problem, is that your Boot Drive might have some damage. Try plugging your Boot drive into a different SATA(I am assuming they are SATA, use IDE if that's what they are) port, just to rule out a dead port.

Check your Motherboard capacitors for bulging or leaking. If any are, that is quite likely the issue. Still try changing SATA ports as that might get around the issue.

 

[Virgorising]

I agree, RAM! Try the usual drill re testing each stick individually.

 

[dze]

Thank you for your suggestions sandorski, I tried them immediately.

Switching SATA ports did not help, nor are there any faulty capacitors.

My computer doesn't get far enough to even be able to start in safe mode. To clarify, it stops halfway during a screen comparable to this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:POST_P5KPL.jpg before changing to the screen I posted - tried anyway, but that did not work unfortunately.

 

[Virgorising]

Thank you for your suggestions sandorski, I tried them immediately.

Switching SATA ports did not help, nor are there any faulty capacitors.

My computer doesn't get far enough to even be able to start in safe mode. To clarify, it stops halfway during a screen comparable to this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:POST_P5KPL.jpg before changing to the screen I posted - tried anyway, but that did not work unfortunately.

Please....do the RAM DRILL. It truly sounds as if a stick has died or is about to. No way does it sound like the board to me.

In the vent it's not RAM, I would consider PSU next. But I still think it's the former.

 

[sandorski]

Hmm, if you have a spare Power Supply, you could try that and see if it works. I suppose it could be RAM, but both sticks dying at once seems unlikely, if you have another stick kicking around that would be something I'd try.

 

[dze]

Please....do the RAM DRILL. It truly sounds as if a stick has died or is about to. No way does it sound like the board to me.

In the vent it's not RAM, I would consider PSU next. But I still think it's the former.

Tried all possible combinations with a single module and the 4 RAM slots on the motherboard, none work.

Hmm, if you have a spare Power Supply, you could try that and see if it works. I suppose it could be RAM, but both sticks dying at once seems unlikely, if you have another stick kicking around that would be something I'd try.

Don't have a spare PSU, I have the opportunity to try different sticks of RAM on monday, so I'll wait for that first.

Guys, thanks for the replies so far, appreciate it!

 

[Virgorising]

Tried all possible combinations with a single module and the 4 RAM slots on the motherboard, none work.



Don't have a spare PSU, I have the opportunity to try different sticks of RAM on monday, so I'll wait for that first.

Guys, thanks for the replies so far, appreciate it!

Very impressed by your pro-activity!!!!:thumbsup:

I once, in my now backup desktop, had two sticks die, both I bought used on ebay. That the two good sticks, smaller, were fine, with the two bad ones seated did not help at all. My system first failed to POST, and board made muffled screaming noise, and then, it even failed to power on.

When I discovered the two bad sticks via the testing drill and removed them, she fired up and POSTED normally, ran normally.....slowly, of course, until the new sticks arrived, but still.

 

[Steltek]

Since you can get into the BIOS, the system is obviously posting which makes me think boot drive failure with power supply failure next on the list. Try downloading a Linux live CD of your choice and booting the system with it to see if it will actually load and run the Linux OS.

You should be able to create a Seatools for DOS diagnostic CD (Seagate bought Samsung's drive business) to use to boot your system and test the hard drives for faults.

http://www.seagate.com/support/internal-hard-drives/desktop-hard-drives/spinpoint-f-series/

 

[dze]

Very impressed by your pro-activity!!!!:thumbsup:

Hah thanks! Yeah I've had RAM dying on me before, on a different computer. Sort of in the same way yours did, except for the noise! Seems that memory (and PSU's) are most susceptible to breakdowns.

Since you can get into the BIOS, the system is obviously posting which makes me think boot drive failure with power supply failure next on the list. Try downloading a Linux live CD of your choice and booting the system with it to see if it will actually load and run the Linux OS.

You should be able to create a Seatools for DOS diagnostic CD (Seagate bought Samsung's drive business) to use to boot your system and test the hard drives for faults.

http://www.seagate.com/support/internal-hard-drives/desktop-hard-drives/spinpoint-f-series/

Unfortunately I won't be home much this weekend, but I'll definitely keep this in mind and try it next week if my extra stick of RAM doesn't work either. Thanks!

 

[Virgorising]

Hah thanks! Yeah I've had RAM dying on me before, on a different computer. Sort of in the same way yours did, except for the noise! Seems that memory (and PSU's) are most susceptible to breakdowns.



Unfortunately I won't be home much this weekend, but I'll definitely keep this in mind and try it next week if my extra stick of RAM doesn't work either. Thanks!

Sorry to hear U went thru similar misery as I did, tho thankfully, without the muffles mobo screams. But we do learn tons from troubleshooting that kinda misery, and it only took ME SEVEN hours, practically inside the box to finally get, O! Maybe ram?! (I had no clue then, RAM could die!!!)

I even switched out the PSU, installed the one the system came with. I was even looking for a replacement board on ebay. I was exhausted and certifiable, and my hair was a mess.^_^

Wut doesn't kill U makes u stronger, right?:|

I look forward to learning what the next step in yr troubleshooting yields, re new sticks!

 

[dze]

To come back on this post, tried new RAM to no avail. Crucial 4GB DDR3 1600MHz. Computer acted like there was no RAM inserted at all, tried different bios settings - could not get into bios with the crucial RAM, had to insert old RAM and config, then turn off and insert new memory - but nothing helps.

Might be a compatibility issue? Seems weird though, the stick is as standard as they come.

 

[Virgorising]

To come back on this post, tried new RAM to no avail. Crucial 4GB DDR3 1600MHz. Computer acted like there was no RAM inserted at all, tried different bios settings - could not get into bios with the crucial RAM, had to insert old RAM and config, then turn off and insert new memory - but nothing helps.

Might be a compatibility issue? Seems weird though, the stick is as standard as they come.

Terrible. Impressive and fabulous yr head has not exploded. This is now beyond me.....but, am sure it will not be beyond others. It takes a village!!!

Forgive my not being clear this: have you tried booting from another drive?

 

[dze]

Fast response again Virgorising! Thanks for your support

My head is indeed exploding

I have tried another drive, same result... waiting for response from Gigabyte now, maybe they know.

 

[Matt1970]

What I tried
- Unplugged everything except the bare essentials

When you say bare essentials I am assuming you tried just the board, CPU and ram.

 

[dze]

When you say bare essentials I am assuming you tried just the board, CPU and ram.

Board, CPU, RAM and GPU. There is no onboard video on the mobo. I tried running it with just CPU/RAM/mobo. Everything appears to be exactly the same (as far as I can tell).

 

[Matt1970]

The curser on the screen tells me it is hung up at the point where it looks for something to boot to. That is almost always a bad drive or DVD, almost, however that weird camera looking character tells me a video memory error however a flaky power supply or even faulty system memory/memory controller can sometimes cause that. If you can't borrow a power supply & video card from someone you can always get a cheapo and return it or take it to a repair place and tell then what you have done to it so far. Hopefully they wouldn't charge you much to finish diagnosing it for you.

 

[dze]

The weird character is actually a green block and an Ñ right next to each other.

Anyway thanks, I will try and see if I can get my hands on another gpu/psu.

 

[Virgorising]

Fast response again Virgorising! Thanks for your support

My head is indeed exploding

I have tried another drive, same result... waiting for response from Gigabyte now, maybe they know.

Just caught this, nah, you are not the head exploding type.:sneaky:

I think you were very smart to contact Gigabyte, and, I am dying to learn what they say!

I think that you can still get into the bios is a good sign.

 

[dze]

Issue has been resolved. Flashing BIOS did it. Now the question is, why didn't I think of that sooner....

 

[Virgorising]

Issue has been resolved. Flashing BIOS did it. Now the question is, why didn't I think of that sooner....

PULHEAZZZE.....that U thought about it at ALL at some point, is the issue!

Some troubleshooting journeys are more challenging than others, but we learn from all of them, I feel.

GOOD JOB!!!!!:biggrin::thumbsup:

PS: Gigabyte never got back to you???????? If not, shame on them.