Omnimaga
General Discussion => Technology and Development => Other => Topic started by: imo_inx on November 26, 2013, 09:38:04 pm
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So my friend gave me a new... ok, semi-old computer. It
runs ran Vista. Anyways, the main drive used to store files(and the OS) was corrupted, so I replaced it. Now there are 2 hard-drives in, and I think one may be corrupted so I removed it too, leaving only one that I am almost sure is fine.
So I boot into a Vista reinstall DVD and it installs just fine, however when it is supposed to turn off, the computer stays on with the same screen. Next, when booting, it shuts down after BIOS, and then the fans go berserk and spin extremely fast while the power ring around the button is off. Note: It should be on when the comp is POWERED ON. So I hold in the button to cut the power. This works, and I hit it again to restart it. It once again reaches BIOS, then goes to windows Safe-Mode boot screen, where I have four lovely options. You should already know what these are, and upon selecting any of the three Safe-Mode options, it loads the DLLs and then says I need to boot into normal Windows to continue the install. When I try to boot into Normal Windows, It shuts down again, and the fans spin. I read somewhere that this is a PSU problem, and I replaced it with a spare. Same thing happens. (I installed Debian, and it worked fine, but I want windows, so dont convince me otherwise)
So is it missing drivers? PSU faults? What could it be?
If I must, I suppose I could debian, but I do not wish to atm.
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Did you tried 7?
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Yeah. I tried many different windows options and they all crash the comp when they load. The installers run fine though.
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Are you able to run a scan on your drives using the tools on the win cd?
Sometimes manual BIOS configuration can cause windows to become unhappy. Have you tried resetting BIOS/Setup to default values? You might want to check out your CPU/RAM timings as well.
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ok, thanks tr1p1ea. I reset the BIOS to defaults, which appears to have reverted to earlier firmware... but it has fixed the problem.
EDIT: Now there is a new, similar problem.
I ran Windows normally and it let me set up an account. Upon completion it revved the fans up and the power light went blank and the screen disconnected.
Now it just shuts off after booting normally.
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Is there a chance that the computer is overheating? Have they put a 3rd party fan on the machine? It could be that the fan is either not connected properly or there isnt enough thermal paste between it and the CPU.
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Ok. I'm pretty sure that is the case, as there is literally NO THERMAL PASTE on the cpu... wtf...
I cleaned the fan and will get thermal paste tomorrow. Thanks, and I will get back here with more info if it fails again.
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Yeah that would explain why it can run for a small amount of time and then it will freak out. Ironically this behaviour (fan goes crazy to try and combat and then forced shutdown) is what you want in this situation and has likely saved the the machine from destruction.
Let us know if you have success, fingers crossed! :).
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It runs ran Vista
Vista can run? O.O
Seriously, though, I hope the computer is fine (as in, no hardware issues). I wonder if your friend might have played with some configs and messed things up?
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It runs ran Vista
Vista can run? O.O
Seriously, though, I hope the computer is fine (as in, no hardware issues). I wonder if your friend might have played with some configs and messed things up?
Yeah, he's not the brightest with computers, and the fact that he blindly tries makes it worse. No thermal paste *twitch twitch*...
But anyways, I've kept reading about CMOS problems and stuff. Could this be causing it as well?
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Rip out the cmos battery and mains and push the power button to make sure there is no power left in the computer. Wait for a bit and then put the battery back and plug the computer back in. Then fire it up and reset the bios defaults.
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Ok. I reset the CMOS and applied thermal paste to the cpu/heat sink. Same thing happens.
I tried a different heat sink/fan and it didn't change anything either...
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How far are you able to get? Do you have any thermal warnings appearing during POST?
Are you able to get into windows at all? Maybe to install something like speedfan?
If not, maybe its a BIOS error. Perhaps there is an update you can flash?
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After installing from the disc it booted up to account creation, then stopped when I created it.
I can boot up to the safe mode select screen, but upon choosing normal, it crashes.
Safe-Mode appears to work just fine, however it says I need to boot in Normal mode to finish the installation.
So I know it's getting into Windows, it's just not continuing.
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Might have to do a repair install perhaps.
In safe mode can you leave the machine on for a while without it crashing?
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Get a repair disk/windows live cd and do a chkdsk to check for disk errors.
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Try to run memtest and the usual "time echo 'scale=5000;4*a(1)' | bc -l" cpu burn-in trick in linux.
If it's somthing hardware related, you'll notice it.
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Might have to do a repair install perhaps.
In safe mode can you leave the machine on for a while without it crashing?
For a small bit, but on clicking ok on the dialog telling me to reboot in normal mode, it freezes.
I'll try your suggestions in a bit.
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Maybe part of the RAM is corrupted (or simply not connected properly). That would explain why Debian runs, but Win doesn't. The fans and heat shouldn't be a problem as Debian would normally shut down on fan failure or overheating.
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Maybe part of the RAM is corrupted (or simply not connected properly). That would explain why Debian runs, but Win doesn't. The fans and heat shouldn't be a problem as Debian would normally shut down on fan failure or overheating.
You are now my best friend. Yes, this was exactly the problem ^.^ Thank you so much.
Now all I have to do is test each card and slot for faults.
EDIT: Thanks for all your help guys.
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Cool to hear you have tracked down the issue. ;) Now you prolly need to get some parts.
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Glad I could help. Suppose overheating is what damaged the RAM in the first place.
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Yeah or even a surge even though I guess that'd kill the whole computer. :/