Potential RAM/HDD failure
Hello Hexus.
I've got a problem with my PC. My PC starts, boots into Windows up to the login screen, where as soon as I start to enter my password my computer restarts.
I've been looking round on google and this seems to be a common 'symptom' of RAM/HDD failure.
I was just wondering if anyone else here had any ideas as to what could be causing this? As I do hope that my RAM or Hard Drive haven't died. :/
Thanks
Nick
Re: Potential RAM/HDD failure
Is it overheating are all the heatsinks clear of dust etc. Try a live cd if you can boot from the optical drive to eliminate the HDD. If its old and had a hard life the PSU may be out of spec / dying.
You could try a repair install of Windows to see if the data on the HDD is the problem. Try with just one stick of ram at a time to see if that helps. edit: check to see if you have any burnt connectors to the motherboard or Graphics card if it uses a power connector also try re-seating all the connectors look for scortch marks on the plastic, try the easy things first.
Re: Potential RAM/HDD failure
Hmm, it could be overheating - I'm not sure though.
I'll check the dust situation in a while though, got a killer cold at the moment and don't wanna get attacked by dust.
Windows disc - now there's a dilemma. I have no idea where it could be. :S
Re: Potential RAM/HDD failure
Sounds like overheating to me, so a hardware issue - Windows wouldn't just reset due to a corrupt installation. It's possible your case is too hot and generating too much heat. Another would could be the CPU Heatsink/Fan isn't seated correctly. Thermal paste could be too old.
Things to check:
1- Fan's, are they working? (Bios)
2- Fan's, are they dusty, clogged?
3- Thermal Paste, is it hard, and not a nice film?
4- Bios loading okay? What's hardware monitor say? Checks fan's RPM?
Re: Potential RAM/HDD failure
Just have a good look inside, make sure everything is clear of dust and fluff, check between any fins of the heatsinks and while you are at it check that they are fitted properly. Look through the fan grill of the PSU and make sure its not full of pet hairs dust etc, if it is just very light dust its probably not the problem but if anyting is not getting a good air flow it could be the cause of your problem. Do not poke anything in to the PSU just give it a blow out with some canned air gently they are sealed for safety reasons leave PSU repair to an expert. It could just as well be a corrupt HDD (thats possibly the favorite to me) you will need a re-install or a repair install if you are lucky or a new drive.
Re: Potential RAM/HDD failure
Quote:
Originally Posted by
spac3d
Sounds like overheating to me, so a hardware issue - Windows wouldn't just reset due to a corrupt installation.
I have had a pentium II system that did just this, just as the desktop was loading it would crash and re-boot after a format and install it was fine. I think it was a driver problem I had previously updated the motherboard drivers. a re-install fixed it. The hardware was fine.
Re: Potential RAM/HDD failure
Does windows boot into safe mode?
If it does, then it would suggest it's not heat but something else, possibly drivers.
Re: Potential RAM/HDD failure
Quote:
Originally Posted by
switchmode
I have had a pentium II system that did just this, just as the desktop was loading it would crash and re-boot after a format and install it was fine. I think it was a driver problem I had previously updated the motherboard drivers. a re-install fixed it. The hardware was fine.
Pentium II lol? Must of been a faaaaaaaaaaaaair while ago! hence why modern OS don't do this.
Re: Potential RAM/HDD failure
I've had Windows die at the login point while overclocking many times. It's always been the memory (not enough voltage or too tight timings). As you're at stock the memory may be faulty.
Give memtest a go (2-3 runs should take a cpl hours): http://www.memtest.org/
Re: Potential RAM/HDD failure
Quote:
Originally Posted by
spac3d
Pentium II lol? Must of been a faaaaaaaaaaaaair while ago! hence why modern OS don't do this.
Why hence ?
Can corrupt software not crash a PC now ? I think it can...