My Computer Just Died - Help please

[basils57]

My computer was going slow, and then yesterday it died.

When I switch on it starts to go through the start-up routine, but only gets to 'Verifying DMI pool' and then nothing.
I've tried booting from the windows installation disk, but nothing the optical drive doesn't seem to be spinning even.
I can get into the BIOS when switching on, and have verified that the boot order is removable devices first - but can't explore anything further in the BIOS.
Also when it last produced a screen image, there seemed to be a change of style - the taskbar had gone from blue to grey.

I'm not sure whether it's system, hard drive or what - any ideas please?

I'm running Win7 Home Premium 32 bit on this machine.

 

[Sir George]

My computer was going slow, and then yesterday it died.

When I switch on it starts to go through the start-up routine, but only gets to 'Verifying DMI pool' and then nothing.
I've tried booting from the windows installation disk, but nothing the optical drive doesn't seem to be spinning even.
I can get into the BIOS when switching on, and have verified that the boot order is removable devices first - but can't explore anything further in the BIOS.

I'm not sure whether it's system, hard drive or what - any ideas please?

I'm running Win7 Home Premium 32 bit on this machine.

A local reputable shop would be your best bet in the long run.

Good Luck.

 

[gregrocker]

Work through the steps for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Start starting with the hardware tests.

Is the HD detected in BIOS setup when you tap the key given for that on first boot screen? If not try reseating it to see if it will show up. Either way you'll want to test it and the RAM.

Then work through the other steps.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Also I like to start with a physical inspection and cleaning to start. When was the last time you opened the rig and blew it out completely with compressed air? Hitting CPU, PSU and GPU?
Please complete your spec's as well. What make and model is your PSU?

 

[basils57]

Thanks for the replies folks, much appreciated.

Yes, the HD is detected in the BIOS setup, and the PSU is an FSP Group - FSP 400-600DMN.

I'm now going to see far I can get working through the troubleshooting steps, and will advise.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Well why is my gut telling me to have you check that PSU? FSP Group.....never heard of that one and would 400-600 be the power range under conditions? If you can gain access to a PSU tester or invest in one I would. Or have access to another ample power PSU then try that out.

 

[basils57]

I'll see what I can do; Apparently :-
"Fortron Source Power Group (FSP Group) is a Taiwanese company that manufactures power supply units for PCs. FSP is the 5th largest power supply vendor in the World."

I'm beginning to suspect that it could be the HD - I've connected it via an external adapter to my current m/c and it can't access it - after about 5 mins I get a message saying that I need to format the disk before I can use it?

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Only two types of hard drives: "Those that have died and those about to" ! Good news is it could be the perfect time to consider a SSD?

 

[gregrocker]

Run the maker's bootable HD Diagnostic extended CD scan to know for certain the state of the HD.

 

[basils57]

Hi again guys.
I finally couldn't get the HD to respond at all, so have replaced it with a new HD - albeit 500GB rather than the 1TB which failed, and all seeded to be OK.......................until I came to reinstall Windows7!

It's saying that 'the product key is not valid' as I got to the end of the re-installation.
All I've changed is the HD, and I thought that this shouldn't have any affect upon product key validation?

EDIT : I've just found gregrocker's post on this from May 2012 and will use this as my next action to try:

"If it is during install it might be because it isn't seeing an underlying OS when you boot the Windows 7 DVD as it must if using Windows 7 Upgrade version.

The solution to this is to leave the key blank during install, then afterwards do the quick registry workaround given in this tutorial to activation Windows 7 Upgrade version on a clean HD: Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version."

 

[gregrocker]

Clean Install with a Upgrade Windows 7 Version
Option 3 to activate Upgrade version on a new or cleaned HD.

In addition look over the steps to get a perfect Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 to see what works best for Win7 install (even retail) based on thousands we've helped with here.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html

 

[basils57]

That's worked guys, thanks for all advice and assistance, much appreciated.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Good job basils57