Windows 7 black screen and restarts continuously.

[FXtrader]

Hello, hope I've put this in the right place.

Problem: my computer won't restart, on boot up it won't get past the light blue welcome screen, and mostly stops suddenly before that almost like the power cord has been pulled out.

If I try to run from the CD to make repairs (original cd) the same thing happens right at the point files have finished loading from cd, it black screens and restarts.

It will (sometimes) let me start in Safe Mode, but again will black screen and restart if I try any kind of repair - system restore.

I've tried so many things to be honest i've lost track of everything I've done now, I've heard of windows restart loops etc, but this seems worse in that the original CD is not helping.

The computer has performed well for more than two years, and the only thing I can think of that I have done is clean externally yesterday !

I'm wondering if I have a BIOS / CMOS issue. Would appreciate any help / ideas, thanks.

 

[Indianatone]

Do you have a Linux boot disc to see if the computer will load that? If you have another PC download KNOPPIX - Mirrors burn to a cd or dvd. You may have to change the boot order in the bios. This issue could be anything from an overheating CPU to a deflective power supply or boot hard drive. Booting a Linux distribution and having a look around at least narrows it down somewhat.
Have a look inside and see if the CPU heatsink or cooling fan are bunged up with dust.

 

[FXtrader]

Hi Indianatone,

Thanks for reply, yes I have checked the CPU fan and cleaned it out - yes it was quite dusty.

I have a laptop with which I can download Knoppix, there's a lot of files to choose from after looking at your link, would that be a bootonly file I need or an iso ?

Thanks.

 

[Indianatone]

This is from US West Coast :Knoppix Download
If you can boot from this disc to a desktop it proves that most of your computer is functional. If you can I would be suspecting your boot drive which logically would be the SSD?

 

[gregrocker]

In addition you can work through these steps for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start.

 

[Indianatone]

Hi Indianatone,

Thanks for reply, yes I have checked the CPU fan and cleaned it out - yes it was quite dusty.

I have a laptop with which I can download Knoppix, there's a lot of files to choose from after looking at your link, would that be a bootonly file I need or an iso ?

Thanks.

Yes you need the full version about 500 mb for a CD, the bootonly boots and then downloads the installation.

 

[FXtrader]

I seem to have resolved the issue, I started to think about heat as the cause, and removed the CPU fan, the thermal paste was almost solid.

I replaced with Arctic Silver 5 as per other posts on this forum, Windows then restarted instantly and (almost) normally.

Once in windows I realised a memory module was not working which I have now replaced, and so far today the system has run just fine - although it's only been on for about 3 hours.

I am 1/. surprised that the thermal paste only lasted about two years from new, and 2/. that heat build up occurred fast enough even from a stone cold startup to cause a shutdown, so I will continue to use the computer and see how we go as can't see anything else wrong.

One last question, what would be an average CPU temp when in low usage - ie: almost idling ?? mine seems to be high - at 64c.. does that sound right ?.. overall system says it's at 37c .. both those reported by Pheonix BIOS.

Thanks for the help.

 

[gregrocker]

Google the maximum temp for your exact model CPU. 64c does seem a bit hot at idle. But it depends.

 

[Indianatone]

I have 2 machines with AMD cpus that are idling overnight at 29C. The machines have been on for 48 hours. Might be time for an after market cooler. Probably should start another thread and ask the "builders" for the best coolers. I use a COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus with push pull fans Newegg.com - COOLER MASTER Hyper 212 Plus RR-B10-212P-G1 "Heatpipe Direct Contact" Long Life Sleeve 120mm CPU Cooler Compatible with Intel 1366/1155/775 and AMD FM1/FM2/AM3+. If you fit something like this you have to make sure your case will take it as they are fairly large.