windows booting only after a "false start"

[Dorkenstein]

After I put a new video card in my pc, windows will only start cleanly after I do a soft reset. The initial bootup brings me to a black screen with no cursor. I press the reset switch, choose 'boot normally' and on we go. Does anyone know what might cause this? Thanks.

 

[Devilpapaya]

A little more information, Have you already tried the default: Check video card seating, update drivers? Also, how far in is this black screen w/ cursor. Is it before or after you try to log in to windows.

You can also try to do a minimal boot. Open the run box and type 'msconfig' hit enter and select 'Diagnostic Start up". This will load windows with minimal drivers, servies, and programs (alot like safemode). If it boots up cold from a diagnostic boot then it's probably a problem with a driver or program interfering. If it still gets the problem you may be looking at a hardware issue.

 

[pf100]

Your power supply can't handle the added current draw of your new video card. It takes a lot more power to start up your computer when it's off than it is to restart it with the reset button. The same thing that's happening to you happened to me when i upgraded my video card. I replaced my power supply with a better one and didn't have any more problems.

 

[Dorkenstein]

That's the conclusion I was coming to, thanks for the input.

 

[Dorkenstein]

I had my pc on for over 24hrs, and when I turned it off and felt my PSU it was pretty darn hot. It's a couple of years old, a Silverstone Decathlon 750w. If this PSU is insufficient for my needs, what would be the next step up? 850w? 1 kilowatt? Thanks.

 

[Dorkenstein]

Here's something. I switched out my 22" CRT monitor for my LCD. I didn't have the startup issue and the PSU isn't getting as hot. Could the power draw of the CRT from my UPS have been starving my PC of power?

 

[Dorkenstein]

The bootup problem is gone, but the power supply is still getting pretty hot. Admittedly, it's almost sweltering here, but shouldn't the fan in the psu keep it reasonably cool? Could it be that my psu is overloaded? Thanks.

 

[RebateMonger]

It sounds like your home AC circuit may overloaded (not just your PC and monitor but anything else on the circuit). The voltage is dropping, but not enough for the UPS to kick in. Can you measure your AC voltage?

What if you remove the UPS and hook your old CRT back up? Does the PC boot or not?