New installation Windows 7 keeps hanging

fyrestar · 07 Jan 2010

Hi all,

First time poster on this forum but Im hoping someone can help.

I recently built a new PC for myself, all seemed to be going well until I put windows 7 on then the fun began.

The problem I am experiencing is that the OS will hang at start up which is any point from when the cursor can be seen on the screen right up until the desktop is almost loaded.
It only seems to happen if I leave the PC off for a few hours then turn it on, it hangs, turn it off then turn it on again and its fine.
Windows realises there is an issue with start up but cant resolve it so thats not much help either.

I have a feeling that it may be hardware related

For the life of me I dont know why, Im pretty sure all the hardware is compatible (could be wrong though) and only bought all this kit last weekend so can return any of it if not suitable.

Right now there is only windows 7 and the MOBO drivers disk installed along with the latest updates from Microsot and the MOBO Bios is right up to date.

Please see my list of kit below, would really appreciate any guidance or help as I cant see what the probem is.

Asus M4A785TD-M EVO, AMD 785G Chipset, DDR3, AM3, mATX
320GB Hitachi Deskstar SATA2 16MB HDT725032GLA360
TP-Link Super G & eXtended Range 108M Wireless PCI Adaptor
Arianet S001 HTPC Media Centre case - Black - mATX with 450W PSU
LiteOn 4x Internal BD-ROM Blu-Ray - bare drive with software
G.SKILL DDR3 1600 PC12800 4GB (2GB x 2)
AMD Phenom II X2 Dual Core 545 3.00GHz (Socket AM3)
Microsoft WINDOWS 7 HOME PREMIUM 32 BIT OEM

seekermeister · 07 Jan 2010

Have you run the Adviser on it?

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

richc46 · 07 Jan 2010

If you feel that it is hardware related.

Go to device manager to checke drivers.
Type memory diagnositic in search and take the test
Go to event viewer and look for errors
Check the performance monitor.
Go to task manager to make sure that all memory is recognized and being utilized.

To make sure it is not software
Go to cmd in an administrator account and typ
sfc /scannow
You can also run a repair install with the windows DVD. Boot from the DVD and select repair.

chev65 · 07 Jan 2010

It's sounds like your having a cold boot issue of some type. Sometimes these problems are related the power supply. In your case I'd say that could easily be the problem. I would say that your correct about it being a hardware problem.

Your power supply looks a bit weak for your system. I certainly wouldn't attempt to run your board with a 450 watt power supply. The reviews are showing a much higher output PSU than one your using. I would go with something closer to 750 watts for your system depending on the GPU that you are running.

Night Hawk · 07 Jan 2010

Welcome to the Se7en Forums! fyrestar

richc46 maybe onto something there if you saw a bad install of Windows where you can elect an upgrade repair install choosing the upgrade option when running the installer while booted in Windows. You may also be facing a device driver issue like for video causing Windows to hang.

When running into initial locks at startup one option upon a restart is to press the F8 key at the end of the post tests to bring up the boot option menu. Select the "Last configuration known to work" option there to see Windows perfotm a workaround of it's own to reach the desktop.

That can help a bit more then the system file checker at times as seen here with the recent 7 install on a new drive where Windows simlpy hung at the logo screen on startup. since then no further startup problems have been seen.

gregrocker · 07 Jan 2010

If it is a startup issue as suspected (I'd go with PSU also), then it should reveal itself at moment of Startup in Performance event log found here: Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Performance Information and Tools\Advanced Tools.

Google the likely error in full to study it's source, or post it back here in full.

Night Hawk · 07 Jan 2010

One thing to add to that would be the last option seen at the bottom once you are in the Advanced Tools section there. You can use the System diagnostics tool to generate a system health report.

(that tv tuner card again!

)

ignatzatsonic · 07 Jan 2010

I'd agree that the single most likely hardware issue would be the PSU.

It sounds intermittent and could be a short of some kind.

Do you have access to another PSU you can swap in temporarily?

Recheck your manuals to ensure that all connections on the mobo were done properly.

Here is a general guide to troubleshooting a non-booting system. It doesn't exactly apply to you, but may give you some insight.

Remove/disconnect everything but:

1) Motherboard connected to power supply.
2) CPU plugged into the motherboard (with heat sink and fan connected)
3) Power connected to the power supply and Power supply switch connected.

Disconnect all add-in cards, and drive cables. Disconnect power cables from back of drives.

Power up the system.

Does the computer beep at you? (due to lack of memory)

If it doesn't... one of three things is bad:

a) CPU
b) Motherboard
c) power supply

IF so, Add memory.

Repeat.

Does computer beep at you again? (due to lack of video card)

Add Video card, connect monitor to system.

Repeat.

Do you see video on monitor?

Add Hard Drive.

Repeat.

Basically; add components (critical to trivial) to see if/when it stops working. That may give you an idea if that component is toast.

If it still doesn't react, pull the motherboard from the case and lay it on a non-conductive surface like cardboard or wood, next to the case (you still need the power supply, and while you don't technically need the power switch, that's easiest.) If it does boot in this configuration, there was a short in the case. Look around for loose metal and re-assemble.

The power supply is a dumb device. If the circuitry works enough to give it an "on" signal, that doesn't mean that the motherboard is doing its appropriate voltage regulation and actually powering up all of its components.

Night Hawk · 07 Jan 2010

Another thing to try would be reseating the video card as well as memory to insure those are down fully in their slots. Since video problems software or hardware related can often cause locks something may be lifted up and need to be reseated down fully.

Tepid · 07 Jan 2010

Honestly,, you need to run full system diags.

This could any of the above or none of them....

You need to run Mem Tests (they should run for no less than 4 to 6 hours)
HDD Tests
Video Tests
Any Mobo diags you can find for that mobo

And yes, the PSU could be faulty. you should take it to a shop that can test it.
It is also possible that it is not enough power, but some people put too much power in their systems.
It all depends on what you have installed... in the system above,, personally,, I would drop anything less than 550W, and I would go with a better name,, Corsair, Antec, In-Win, etc.

Power is a strange and wonderfully nightmarish thing. It can present you with problems that aren't really problems. but replacing the PSU fixes everything.