Computer starts boot up, then freezes

mdaudioguy

Found my computer off this morning, when I know I never powered down yesterday. Attempts to start up, but boot procedure stops just before loading Windows - the routine seems normal prior to that. Still powered on, it won't respond to a press of the reset button or a long press of the power button. Only thing to do is use the on/off switch on back of the power supply. Sound like a motherboard problem? Ideas or suggestions?

Syndil

If it won't even respond to the reset button or holding the power button, that could either be a motherboard problem or a power supply problem. However usually if the power supply is bad it won't even attempt to boot up, so it seems the motherboard is the more likely culprit. I'd see if you can boot from a CD, preferably one with diagnostic tools. Since it gets to just before loading windows, it could be your HDD controller that's fried. If it will recognize and boot from the CD drive instead you can use it to diagnose the issue, possibly.

tommyt21

Check if bad memory, bad HD or possible Windows OS corruption. We get something similar every few weeks and thats typically what it is. Just some suggestions.

Edit: Sorry did not see the part where you said it powered down on its own, it still can be a bad PSU I have seen them where they still let you power up but then cause all sorts of Havock. The Dells we work with its the number one part we replace under warranty.

cowtrimmer

Always start @ simple. Make sure your power supply fan is clean and moving enough air. Dirty fans and fins are your first enemy.

gdb

Vista??

obieone

I went through something very similar a couple of weeks ago, turns out I had left an SD card in the reader:redface:

Libertyc

Try starting in safe mode.

mdaudioguy

gdb wrote: »

Vista??

Se7en.

mdaudioguy

Libertyc wrote: »

Try starting in safe mode.

I'm going to try some things tomorrow....

unclebiskabobka

Mine's been doing the same thing lately, I haven't found a solution yet either..

Syndil

If the reset button or holding the power button doesn't do anything, then it's not a software issue.

billbillw

Can you get into bios setup? If not, definitely a hardware issue. If you can, try booting to an optical disc. If that works, you may have either a hard drive issue or just a corrupted image.
Things to do: Run Memtest (checks hardware and memory). Run hard drive diagnostics (choose the program based on your disc manufacturer). If that all checks out, you might just have to reformat and load Windows from scratch.

dudeinaroom

Does any thing at come up on the screen when you first turn it on? Does the hdd light flash, stay solid, or not come on at all? What brand and model is it.

mdaudioguy

I think the problem was the power supply. Played around with things a little today, unplugging and replugging components, just to make sure everything was connected securely. Hit the power button and it booted up right into Windows! Thought everything was ok, and then after about 5 minutes, bam, it just cuts off - wouldn't come back on again either. Swapped out the power supply with one from a different computer, and I've been up for at least an hour now... We'll see if it stays that way.

tommyt21

Number one thing we replace under warranty faulty psu can play all kind of tricks

Polkie2009

Agree, my old computer did the same thing, had me thinking it was the MB going out ,but thought it was possibly the psu. Swapped out an old power supply unit from another old computer we had collecting dust and it powered it up just fine.