Solved Weird erratic boot up..No Boot screen..what have I done!?

[tonewheelkev]

Within the last week ....have observed that, on Startup.......there is no disc activity, and PC loses control of the Display (LED flashing)

.....Several minutes later, and for no apparent reason....disc activity starts, and Windows 7 boots up.

At no point can I see the 'Boot' screen (In my case the ASUS M/B screen)

Any advice???

 

[marsmimar]

Couple of things you can try.

1. If you have a restore point that goes back to a date/time prior to the problem you can use system restore.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/700-system-restore.html

2. See if any system files were damaged or corrupted by doing a System File Checker scan from an elevated command prompt (option two.) If problems are found run the scan 3 times rebooting in between each scan.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

3. Do a Startup Repair. You may have to run it several times.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/681-startup-repair.html

You may have to access Safe Mode through Advanced Boot Options.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/666-advanced-boot-options.html

 

[tonewheelkev]

Thanks for the reply...

Tried your option 2....SCANNOW....found no integrity violations...!

Should I try the other options???

 

[Sir George]

Within the last week ....have observed that, on Startup.......there is no disc activity, and PC loses control of the Display (LED flashing)

.....Several minutes later, and for no apparent reason....disc activity starts, and Windows 7 boots up.

At no point can I see the 'Boot' screen (In my case the ASUS M/B screen)

Any advice???

These are strictly best guess scenarios;
1. Heat, caused by dust buildup.
2. Heat, caused by limited air circulation.
3. Failing power supply.

Have you opened the case to see if there is an excessive amount of dust?

HTH

 

[tonewheelkev]

These are strictly best guess scenarios;
1. Heat, caused by dust buildup.
2. Heat, caused by limited air circulation.
3. Failing power supply.

Have you opened the case to see if there is an excessive amount of dust?

HTH

Hi Sir!!!
Little or no dust.....new build in Feb2012....
All fans working...
....as for PSU....New OCZ 550w as I remember

 

[alphanumeric]

Double check your data and power cables on your hard drive to make sure they are connected properly. When it boots up normally do you see the BIOS POST screen? Any beeps during boot up, one short beep is normal. If you can get into the BIOS setup menu, try turning off the "fast boot" option and also turn off the "full screen logo" option. That will get you a more detailed post screen and may tip you off to whats happening. If you can't get into the BIOS I would use the motherboard jumper to reset the BIOS to defaults. If it was me I'd probably reset the BIOS to defaults anyway, and then enter my custom settings etc.

 

[marsmimar]

Thanks for the reply...

Tried your option 2....SCANNOW....found no integrity violations...!

Should I try the other options???

I'd give system restore a try. If you don't have any restore points or if it doesn't correct the problem I'd try the other options.

 

[tonewheelkev]

Double check your data and power cables on your hard drive to make sure they are connected properly.

All connections secure

When it boots up normally do you see the BIOS POST screen? Any beeps during boot up, one short beep is normal.

Normally I see the BIOS POST....now I don't
No Beeps.....but eventually boots up

If you can get into the BIOS setup menu, try turning off the "fast boot" option and also turn off the "full screen logo" option. That will get you a more detailed post screen and may tip you off to whats happening.

Can't get in to this menu

If you can't get into the BIOS I would use the motherboard jumper to reset the BIOS to defaults. If it was me I'd probably reset the BIOS to defaults anyway, and then enter my custom settings etc.

Is resetting a 'last resort'?

 

[Kaktussoft]

You can't enter bios settings (sometimes) and no beeps? Is this also the case if computer is cold so at first start in the morning?

 

[tonewheelkev]

You can't enter bios settings (sometimes) and no beeps? Is this also the case if computer is cold so at first start in the morning?

This is the case at first start...and also at restart, when computer is 'warm'!!

 

[Kaktussoft]

You can't enter bios settings (sometimes) and no beeps? Is this also the case if computer is cold so at first start in the morning?

This is the case at first start...and also at restart, when computer is 'warm'!!

And when it boots succesfully it keeps running without issues?

 

[gregrocker]

First check for newer BIOS update on computer or mobo Support Downloads webpage for your model. If none then Clear CMOS - 3 Ways to Clear the CMOS - Reset BIOS

Then work through these steps for Troubleshooting Windows 7 Failure to Boot - Windows 7 Forums

 

[alphanumeric]

Have you ever flashed (updated) the BIOS on this motherboard?
Is this the PC listed in your system specs section?
Do you have more than one monitor connected to your video card?
If your motherboard doesn't have an onboard PC Speaker it might be a good idea to connect so you can hear the BIOS Beep codes.
Are you pressing the correct key to enter the BIOS?
Is your keyboard wireless, USB, or PS2?

 

[tonewheelkev]

Have you ever flashed (updated) the BIOS on this motherboard?

No

Is this the PC listed in your system specs section?

Yes

Do you have more than one monitor connected to your video card?

50" Plasma via HDMI (Not always 'on')

Are you pressing the correct key to enter the BIOS?

Yes.....but at present, never reaching that point

Is your keyboard wireless, USB, or PS2?

Wireless/Usb.....suppose it's both!!

 

[gregrocker]

Try adjusting the Screen Resolution and/or updating the Display driver for the HDMI plasma TV.

If necessary, unplug it and use a VGA monitor to see if it stablizes.

Then add the HDMI and find a driver or Screen Res which stabilizes it via optional Windows Updates first and then the display device's Support Downloads webpage.

 

[tonewheelkev]

Try adjusting the Screen Resolution and/or updating the Display driver for the HDMI plasma TV.

If necessary, unplug it and use a VGA monitor to see if it stablizes.

Then add the HDMI and find a driver or Screen Res which stabilizes it via optional Windows Updates first and then the display device's Support Downloads webpage.

.....can't help feeling I'd be going down the wrong track here.

The bootup problem first occurred 3-4 days ago....until then, all was sweet as a nut!!

 

[gregrocker]

How is assuring you have the latest driver and best screen resolution a possible wrong track? These are best practices to begin with.

If you know when the problem began then try a System Restore point just before then.

 

[tonewheelkev]

....so the screen resolution, and driver generation, can be responsible for the symptoms described in post #1....??????

 

[gregrocker]

With a 50" HDMI Plasma TV connected, yes.

 

[alphanumeric]

Unplug the plasma display from the HDMI and see if you then get your BIOS post screen on your monitor. Or turn the TV on and see if the BIOS POST screen shows up there. I don't think you can get into your BIOS using a wireless keyboard. You'll have to use a wired USB or PS2 keyboard.