Computer Guru's, I need your help!

The Booger · 02-10-2006, 09:45 PM

I wake up to find my computer nonresponsive to controls and the screen blank. My only response is to shut the computer down and reboot it. This is the screen I get on reboot:

Any ideas what is going on? I'm at a loss here as to what to do. NOTHING has been changed or added in the past few days.This just started happening.

People have suggested bad PSU (which did go bad, just replaced it, same problem), BIOS, and overeheating. I have lots of air flowing through with upgraded cooling fan on my video card (9800pro). Even with the case completely open this happens. There is no "Auto" feature for the CPU speed either. The choices are Manual, 1800mhz, or 2400mhz.

Specs:
2.4Ghz P4 CPU
80GB HD
1GB RAM
ATI 9800Pro 256mb

Anything else just let me know. This is a Sony Vaio PCV-RZ22G

**EME** · 02-10-2006, 09:59 PM

It could be any number of hardware problems.

My first guess would be a problem with the motherboard.
We support over 4000 PC's and we have to replace motherboards almost daily for similar lockup problems.

So, it's coming up in Safe mode.... have you tried rebooting and selecting the option to have Widows start normally?

I'm sure you probably have by now, but I'm just curious what happens. Does it boot up to Windows and then eventualy hang again, or will it boot to Windows at all?

- EME

The Booger · 02-11-2006, 12:03 AM

It boots Windows all the way. No problem there. If I leave for maybe 2 or 3 hours and come back I have a black screen and no response. I have hibernation and standby shut off (never worked right with those).

Really hate turning my computer off and on 3-5 times a day.

**skelooth** · 02-11-2006, 01:18 AM

uhhh, dude, it says RIGHT ON THE BIOS SCREEN what the problem is

There's a problem with the frequency of either the processor or the RAM or other connected devices.

First step, reset BIOS to default values. Reboot, no go?

Crack open the case and reset the jumpers on your mobo if there's any. Reboot, No go?

Strip it all down to nothing but the GPU and hard drive. Reboot. No go?

When the computer boots, is all of your installed ram passing the memory test? Is the BIOS seeing all of the connected devices? You gotta look at this stuff man

-------

just read your response to EME. Go into power settings and double check and triple check to make sure it's not going into hibernation. You might want to try popping your ram out and resetting it back in to fix any chip creek issues. Otherwise I'm not sure why your comp would randomly freeze unless it's some sort of RAM issue. There could be chip creek.... so the comp freezes or restarts when trying to access bad memory areas (due to a bad connection).

but chip creek and memory problems usually end up with restarts, not hangs.

Your processor might be screwed? Your BIOS is complaining about frequency problems... frequency will be either the cpu, the buses, or the ram.

The Booger · 02-11-2006, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skelooth

uhhh, dude, it says RIGHT ON THE BIOS SCREEN what the problem is

There's a problem with the frequency of either the processor or the RAM or other connected devices.

The problem is what the screen says make as much sense to me as ancient Latin. I can do simple stuff but once we start talking about frequencies and chip creeps....I'm lost.

I'll try taking the RAM out and replacing it. Could be the problem (hope it is).

When the computer boots it doesn't say anything fails. Checked that. BIOS are set to default. I don't screw with that stuff.

If the MoBo goes out I'm seriously screwed. With my lack of computer knowledge (and cash) I'd be up sh*t creek without a paddle.

**skelooth** · 02-11-2006, 02:03 AM

doesn't sound like a mobo problem.

Have you cleaned all the dust off everything with compressed air?

The Booger · 02-11-2006, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skelooth

doesn't sound like a mobo problem.

Have you cleaned all the dust off everything with compressed air?

Sure have. Try to do it at least once a month. I don't go nuts with it either, just enough to get the crap off.

02-10-2006, 09:45 PM	#1
The Booger Pro Stature Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Look left. Posts: 664 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 11	Computer Guru's, I need your help! I wake up to find my computer nonresponsive to controls and the screen blank. My only response is to shut the computer down and reboot it. This is the screen I get on reboot: Any ideas what is going on? I'm at a loss here as to what to do. NOTHING has been changed or added in the past few days.This just started happening. People have suggested bad PSU (which did go bad, just replaced it, same problem), BIOS, and overeheating. I have lots of air flowing through with upgraded cooling fan on my video card (9800pro). Even with the case completely open this happens. There is no "Auto" feature for the CPU speed either. The choices are Manual, 1800mhz, or 2400mhz. Specs: 2.4Ghz P4 CPU 80GB HD 1GB RAM ATI 9800Pro 256mb Anything else just let me know. This is a Sony Vaio PCV-RZ22G __________________ thebooger@hush.ai

02-10-2006, 09:59 PM	#2
EME Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 3,265 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 51	It could be any number of hardware problems. My first guess would be a problem with the motherboard. We support over 4000 PC's and we have to replace motherboards almost daily for similar lockup problems. So, it's coming up in Safe mode.... have you tried rebooting and selecting the option to have Widows start normally? I'm sure you probably have by now, but I'm just curious what happens. Does it boot up to Windows and then eventualy hang again, or will it boot to Windows at all? - EME __________________ PhysiqueFXonline - Online Nutrition and Training with Michael and Kendra Elias: www.MichaelandKendra.com Team Molecular Nutrition Creative Director FAME Media Group / World Natural Sports Organization Editor-In-Chief FAME Magazine www.FAMEWorldTour.com

02-11-2006, 12:03 AM	#3
The Booger Pro Stature Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Look left. Posts: 664 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 11	It boots Windows all the way. No problem there. If I leave for maybe 2 or 3 hours and come back I have a black screen and no response. I have hibernation and standby shut off (never worked right with those). Really hate turning my computer off and on 3-5 times a day. __________________ thebooger@hush.ai

02-11-2006, 01:18 AM	#4
skelooth eh heh heh Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Behind you Posts: 7,203 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 158	uhhh, dude, it says RIGHT ON THE BIOS SCREEN what the problem is There's a problem with the frequency of either the processor or the RAM or other connected devices. First step, reset BIOS to default values. Reboot, no go? Crack open the case and reset the jumpers on your mobo if there's any. Reboot, No go? Strip it all down to nothing but the GPU and hard drive. Reboot. No go? When the computer boots, is all of your installed ram passing the memory test? Is the BIOS seeing all of the connected devices? You gotta look at this stuff man ------- just read your response to EME. Go into power settings and double check and triple check to make sure it's not going into hibernation. You might want to try popping your ram out and resetting it back in to fix any chip creek issues. Otherwise I'm not sure why your comp would randomly freeze unless it's some sort of RAM issue. There could be chip creek.... so the comp freezes or restarts when trying to access bad memory areas (due to a bad connection). but chip creek and memory problems usually end up with restarts, not hangs. Your processor might be screwed? Your BIOS is complaining about frequency problems... frequency will be either the cpu, the buses, or the ram. __________________ http://loseover100lbs.com/misc-f7.html

02-11-2006, 02:03 AM	#6
skelooth eh heh heh Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Behind you Posts: 7,203 Recipes: 0 Rep Power: 158	doesn't sound like a mobo problem. Have you cleaned all the dust off everything with compressed air? __________________ http://loseover100lbs.com/misc-f7.html

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