I'm working on another pc issue.  This time it's a coworkers' and he tells me it won't boot into Windows.  Well I can't get past this video card display...  I can't boot to a CD because I can't get to the full POST screen....  and can't get into bIOS

 

Any ideas?  I've tried a new cmos battery (and waiting 10 min to reset fac default), cleaned the thing out, tried using the onboard display adapter - which seems borked, and none of that helped

 

 

 

After this comes up the monitor seems to go blank...  the fans go to idle and the PC is still powered up.

Try with a different GPU. If that works then his GPU is wonky, time for a new one! 

Hi,

 

I've seen this before, it may be a bad stick of RAM.

That's what I was wondering...  but wouldn't it get to POST even without RAM?

 

In other words, if I pull out a stick of RAM, or both, should it POST?

Hi,

 

 

Pull out one stick, try and boot. If that don't work, try the other stick of RAM as see what happens.

Yep this was my thinking... Unfortunately it will wait till the morning. I also might have a spare stick of that ram lying around...

You should be able to get into the BIOS prior to this display , set you boot order to boot from CD as No 1, put you windows disc in drive, save and exit. Start computer again,If the computer starts its a corrupt boot sector on you windows installation - reinstall windows. If not, as previously mentioned it could be you RAM.

Nothing displays prior to this screen.  Haven't tried RAM yet too busy today fixing my own PC's hehe.

Try hitting F2 or the DEL button several times when you start it up, this should get you into the BIOS setup, prior to the screen you've shown.

It was a bad stick of RAM.  Thanks Mike I feel like a n00b.  I did have an extra 128MB stick (DDR1 LOL) laying around so now it has 384 instead of 256.  Running XP SP3 with 384 is a real PITA.  At least I got it into Windows.

 

Unfortunately that rig has got a deeper issue.  Something to do with power or mobo I'm guessing...  Sometimes when I press the power button the fans spool up but it won't turn on.  I did make sure all the cables were secure and the ones on the mobo itself.  I basically have to unplug the power from the PSU, then, plug it back in, and press and hold power button for about 3 seconds.  Sometimes it turns on.  It's inconsistent that's for sure.

 

I think I gotta stop trying to keep those old rigs alive hehe.

 

I might just consider second monitor/extended desktop.

Hi,

 

That's what I figured. From the screen shot, it looked like the video board had completed its diagnostic test (hence the 256 MB RAM displayed), it then moved on to test the RAM and that's where it froze.

 

I actually had a bad stick once that caused a constant reboot...  As soon as it started counting up ram, BAM ... Reboot.

 

Glad you got the problem sorted out.

 

As far as the other problem, it sounds like a power supply issue.

Well this system does reboot by itself once in a while... But I'm already in Windows.

 

Love computers.

Do you have a spare power supply to try?  Despite the memory stick success it sounds like the kind of ills that can be suffered with a failing power supply.  I'd be interested in how that memory works out in different system.

Unfortunately not.

Well this system does reboot by itself once in a while... But I'm already in Windows.

 

Love computers.

 does your computer freeze or experiencing BSOD before it restarted?