Boot problem.

[Tireisias]

My problem only occurs on a cold boot, and only if the system has been down for at least a few seconds.

Either one of two things happens:

I can see the system access the first boot device for a few seconds, but nothing happens on the screen and it never beeps either once to indicate that it has successfully finished POST or several times to indicate that POST has found a problem.

The other possibility is that screen will show jumping garbage on the screen from the beginning of POST until it boots into Windows. My impression is that the vertical synch of the video system is severely off in those cases, creating the jumping garbage.

In either case, I usually can't even reboot. I have to use the power switch at the back of the machine to turn the power off, then power up again, and after a few tries it works.

Help!

Thanks.
T.

 

[paparazi]

Tireisias
First impressions
Check for leaking or bulging capacitors on the motherboard
Refer to this site as a guide:

http://www.badcaps.com

This could also be the first signs of a failing PSU or even the graphics card for that matter.
Martin



We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[Tireisias]

Well, I sure hope that it's not the motherboard, because I'm not going to be able to find someone to repair it in this funny little corner of Western Asia.

If it's either the PSU or the Video card, I can live with the cost, but I'd like to know something out of curiosity: Why should a bad video card keep it from finishing POST at all?

Thanks again.
T.

 

[mainegeek]

Tireisias,

"Why should a bad video card keep it from finishing POST at all?"

Why would one expect it to POST correctly with a bad video card?

I would suspect the same components as indicated by Paparazi and would suggest that the "jumping garbage" is the result of unstable power.

You mentioned that it takes a few tries of power cycling it in order for it to POST, you will eventually discover that your system will lock-up when it starts to load the OS or when the work load increases.

 

[Tireisias]

Depending on the problem with the card, I would expect it to either POST correctly, since POST doesn't really test all that much, or to give the beep code for a video card problem; I am surprised that that could make it prematurely terminate POST without any beep pattern at all. Could someone explain it to me?

Thanks.
T.

 

[BadBigBen]

1.) It sounds more like a BAD PSU, ergo the COLD BOOT PROBLEM...

2.) Depending on what the issue may be with a GFXcard, BAD NEN ut would BEEP... BAD/Corroded Connectors possible BEEP.... certain leads damaged no beep at all... you just can't tell always...


Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[Tireisias]

Just in case anyone else ever has the same problem:

It turned out to be the video card. New card, problem solved!

Thanks.
T.