Windows not booting up

[edmundoab]

hi guys

now I was using my PC in winXP for like 15 minutes before it actually hung,
then came into a blue screen saying that there is some problem with my ATI driver
(using an X800 XL btw )
and then it restarted after doing some dump to HDD

nvm that, when it reboots, does not load windows at all.
just after first seek device, and it shows a black screen with no movement.
I have to reset... ctrl+alt+del doesn't work either

after a few tries, I tried reparing windows using my bootable disk,
seem like I can't even enter my windows using the MS Windows console

then I tried doing a full repair, again it hung!

Next thing i know, the screen starts showing artifacts as if the video card is facing some hardware problem rather then software..

Any ideas whats going on?

FYI I was installing a water cooler ( which works now)
and my first try had some leakage, drip on the board and very very little on the video card.
Don't know if this is a factor.
But I did not power it up after 3 days to let it dry. Used a hair dryer also, with a dry cloth to wipe off any standing water that dripped off the mobo and video card.

 

[edmundoab]

Bump for help

updates :

Found that the Hard Drive is at fault because it stalls the system everytime I attempt to do a repair on it.

Not sure how severe it is.
Until I do a test diagnosis after installing a fresh copy of windows into my secondary HDD

#2 : Video card still showing image distortions with artifacts even on second PCI-E x16 lane

Seems at this point, the motherboard is working fine as I could still meddle with Bios and it boots up like normal, except booting up to windows.
Due to image distortion I can't really read the instructions given by Windows Bootable Disc to install windows.. rather annoying.


any suggestions or insights greatly appreaciated.

 

[edmundoab]

seems doomed that my X800 XL is mulfunctioning

i installed my old Voodoo 4 PCI
and it worked flawless hmm

 

[imported_Phil]

What's your full system specifications? By this I mean details like the brand and model of power supply, etc.

 

[edmundoab]

ok, here is my specs

Enermax 460 W 24 Pin Power Supply Unit
AMD 64 3000+ Winchester @ 2.35 Ghz
Corsair XLPT 1GB TwinX ( 512 x 2 ) 2-2-2-5 mem timing
DFI LanParty UT NF4 Ultra-D Motherboard
ATI X800 XL Retail PCI-E ( Built by ATI) ---- > This is the one with artifacts now, using a temporary Voodoo 4 to run my display with the analog Connector.
WD Raptor 74GB ---- > Seemingly dead, can't access it
Maxtor DiamondMax 10 300GB --- > functional but without Operating System
Hyundai L90D+ 19 inch LCD monitor
Acer Crappy speakers ( sorry, dont know the model )
On board LAN and Onboard Sound
Sony 16x DVD ROM
Corsair COOL CW-1000 for Athlon 64 Water Cooling Kit
Logitech MX 510 Optical Mouse
Logitech Multimedia Keyboard
ThermalTake Shark Full Tower Case

Am I missing out anything?

 

[imported_Phil]

I'd say video card. Your hardware is up-to-date, your PSU is strong enough and of a good make, so that leaves the artifacting as the video card.

 

[edmundoab]

seems like it
but to have my raptor die at the same time is really weird
especially when raptors are pretty reliable

 

[imported_Phil]

Originally posted by: edmundoab
seems like it
but to have my raptor die at the same time is really weird
especially when raptors are pretty reliable

Well, if you want to make sure, get a digital multimeter and test the PSU manually, by locating a spare Molex connector, and sticking the probes from the meter into black and red wires, and then yellow and black wires.

[Edit] Be sure not to touch the probes together when doing this!

That'll give you readings for +5V and +12V. Anything more than 10% off means that it's time for a new PSU

 

[edmundoab]

but the drive is still detectable, thats what I dont understand

digital multimeter? err.. let me see if I can find out.
if I am working in an electronics company should be ok, but still unemployed as of now

 

[imported_Phil]

Originally posted by: edmundoab
but the drive is still detectable, thats what I dont understand

digital multimeter? err.. let me see if I can find out.
if I am working in an electronics company should be ok, but still unemployed as of now

It's just a peace-of-mind thing

It's entirely possible that the PSU has begun to fail, and is taking components with it. It's a long shot, but it may well explain the artifacting on your graphics card (though unlikely) but it would definitely go some way to explain why your Raptor is acting up.

Hope this helps :beer:

 

[edmundoab]

yeah, I'll want to test my card on another system later today
will also be able to let you know after friday if the HDD is at fault

its a New PSU to be honest, thats less then 3 months old.
of course i rather have the PSU break down then my video card or raptor LOL
Haven't heard anything from ATI or the retailer I bought my video card from.. sigh