Computer won't boot

A

asdf.

New Member
Here are my basic specs, which I've had for close to 2 years with no problems what soever.

Inte Q6600 2.4ghz
4 GB of ram
Windows Vista
Nvidia 8600gt

Last night I decided to finally defrag my computer and I left it running overnight.

I wake up today and the computer is in sleep or standby mode. I try to turn it on and the usual noises play out, and the light button goes on. However, the computer fails to boot.

I suspected that it was the HD, so I removed it and tested it on my other computer, but it was fine. I then tested my graphics card and found the problem...

If the monitor cable is connected to the video card, the computer fails to boot
If the monitor cable is connected to the onboard graphics, with the 8600gt still connected to the motherboard, the computer fails to boot
However, if I remove the 8600 gt and connect the monitor to the onboard graphics, I have no problem booting.

Do you guys think something is wrong with my graphics card (fried?)
I inspected the card and don't see any burnt capacitors. I had friend suggest to take a look at the power supply, however I fail to see how that comes into play - the power supply is more than capable of handling the graphics card (I've had it for several years).
 
Do you guys think something is wrong with my graphics card (fried?)
Click to expand...

Maybe. Put it in the same computer that you tested the HDD on, and see if it boots or not.

I don't think that the power supply is the issue - what reason did your friend give for his theory? Just because? :confused:

Strange that it only started behaving this way after you did a defrag... Try the graphics card in the other computer and we'll go from there. ;)
 
deanj20 said:
Maybe. Put it in the same computer that you tested the HDD on, and see if it boots or not.

I don't think that the power supply is the issue - what reason did your friend give for his theory? Just because? :confused:

Strange that it only started behaving this way after you did a defrag... Try the graphics card in the other computer and we'll go from there. ;)
Click to expand...

Well the other computer has a much lower power supply - lets suppose that the graphics card is fine and I were to put it into this computer with a power supply not sufficient to support the card.

Will it destroy the computer? Will it not start up at all?

I'm just going to be testing if the card works - I won't be running any games or anything intensive.
 
I'm not sure - it won't destroy the computer - I would think that it wouldn't boot or just not recognize the graphics card. Probably not the best test... I would try it anyway... but that's just me...
 
If you can test the graphics card in the other system with different power supply. If no problems, I would say it is the power suply. When you boot the system, do you have speakers in. If so and it plays the vista start up tune you know it is no display but booting, so the gpu is either not getting power or just not working.

Until you know the psu is fine try not to use it. If you overload it or if it is on it's way out or faulty and blows, it can quite easily take out other components with it, making it a much more expensive fix than it otherwise had to be. The same goes for overloading a power supply, it will end up blowing and most probably take out other components too
 
Last edited:
PSU's degrade over time. having it for a few years might mean that it could not handle the pressure any more. I'd test another one.

This is why it's always a good idea to buy a quality PSU with a bit extra wattage if you plan on keeping it for a while.
 
When it comes to failing PSUs, do they cease to work, or do they seem to have a decreasing lower threshold of watts?

Cause the power supply is working fine - power is going into the computer, and I have no problems. Even when the graphics card is installed, the computer can still power up - its just nothing is on the screen.

I'm also considering getting a new video card (if thats the culprit)
As far as I understand, the 8600 GT uses a PCI-E slot - if I get a card that needs a PCI-E 2.0, will it work? Is it the same thing?
 
Yes PCI-E 2.0 is backwards compatible. I would also take a guess at a faulty graphics card.

Just to check, do you have sufficient cooling, is the fan working on the graphics card, this may be the reason for your computer restarting.
 
Power supplies lose the ability to put out their rated power - like batteries going flat. It can't hurt to replace them with new ones, and the same applies for a PSU.
 
asdf. said:
When it comes to failing PSUs, do they cease to work, or do they seem to have a decreasing lower threshold of watts?

Cause the power supply is working fine - power is going into the computer, and I have no problems. Even when the graphics card is installed, the computer can still power up - its just nothing is on the screen.

I'm also considering getting a new video card (if thats the culprit)
As far as I understand, the 8600 GT uses a PCI-E slot - if I get a card that needs a PCI-E 2.0, will it work? Is it the same thing?
Click to expand...

Does it not display anything when posting? If it is only windows that isn't showing any image, try booting in safe mode and see if you can see anything. If you can, reinstall your drivers

And power supplies as they age put out less power. I'm not talking a 500W will suddenly start giving out 200W, it is only a relatively small amount of degredation, but over time they do deteriorate. If you are a buying a new graphics card aswell, deffinately buy a power supply, just so you know it is on a completely stable system.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top