computer boot problems?

Question

i reinstalled my windows & was trying to play bf2 singleplayer and every time i loaded a map, half way or all the way, it would crash to the descktop or restart my puter. i then cleared my HDs (i wanted to reinstall my windows again) and reboot. now the computer turns on but wont run post or boot & there is no display. it does boot when i clear the cmos or leave the power off for a while but hang and freezes randomly. i tried using the only main componentes like 1 ram, video, cpu, hd, cdrom. i tried my 2 ram sticks, 1 at a time in different slots. i got to the windows setup 3 times but first 2 had a stop error and the last one froze while formating, so i cant get to instal windows

this is my 3rd prob with my rig =( 1 was 850w PSU failed so i got thermaltake 1000w, 2 was 2nd pci-e slot shorted out and failed my 2nd video card. now i only run my good video card in the good pci-e slot.

can this be because of my other problems that might have burned somthing out?

Answer 1

"can this be because of my other problems that might have burned som[e]thing out?"

Yes. Once a motherboard has been damaged by heat - it never recovers. In your case the heating was spotty - so some functionality is still there - but heating of components will cause miscellaneous failures. Prove it by sticking the box in the 'fridge b4 booting. For a while, all may work.

Begin troubleshooting by booting a [warm - not refrigerated] Live CD of Linux. That does all kinds of diagnostics simply by doing a normal boot from the [perhaps cold] CD drive, with the output listed at CTRL-ALT-F1 - or just watch those same messages scroll by pushing the ESC key after the Linux boot begins and offers the ESC option.

Though your machine's likely fried some stuff on the motherboard I/O circuitry or even the CPU itself, the Live CD will tell you more. This one includes the world famous RAM memory checker "MemTest" as a boot menu option, so you can at least check your RAM condition quickly.

Get this Live CD source - an ISO to burn to a 700MB CD-R or CD-RW - at http://getpclinuxos.com and the ISO burning software can be had for free at http://imgburn.com since Windows doesn't have native ability to create bootable CD's from ISOs.

You might also be interested in running desktop Linux - installable from the same CD - since rebuilding Windows takes quite a while compared to Linux. See http://www.ehow.com/how_2147183_add-linux-windows-computer.html
on creating a dual-boot [Windows + Linux] computer for maximum capability.

BTW, Windows will reinstall properly from any Windows CD - OEM or not. I've done so repeatedly. Whether the Windows install will then apply updates without registering the product or even paying another license fee - is another question.

Also - expect to be malwared during your hours of Windows updates. Internet scripts monitor continuously for new Windows installs asking for updates from Redmond and from major anti-malware suppliers like Norton - then they add your computer to their zombie farms.

Good luck!

Answer 2

In general, crashes during the installation of Windows are caused by four things...

1) RAM is damaged/defective. This is the most likely issue. Best way to test this is to try each stick of RAM in both RAM slots (if only 2 slots). You could also run a RAM tester if you have access to such a program (memtester86 for example).

2) If the RAM isn't dead, The slots on the motherboard might be gone. If you've already burned out a PCI-E slot, this is definitely a probability.

3) Hard Drive might have a bad sector...you'll need software like HDRegenerator to do a surface scan of the HD.

4) Your copy of Windows might be corrupt (ie: the CD might be scratched or marred or if you're using something downloaded, it might be missing a crucial file.

My first suggestion would be to start with the RAM and work your way down this list.

Answer 3

"(i wanted to reinstall my windows again)" - If your Windows CD is an OEM version, OR not the ones that came with your PC, that's the real problem.

Once you change any major hardware component, the OEM version will not install properly. You will need to buy a "Retail Upgrade" of XP / Vista or talk to your PC manufacturer for assistance to get the necessary "Recovery Disks".

BTW, they were probably on the hard drive until you reformatted them. RTFM.

Answer 4

I recommend to clean up the register in order to improve your pc performances and get rid of malwares. A good program you can use is CCleaner http://j.mp/UrAJA4

Answer 5

not enough ram, or over heating