computer won't boot at all...

[roblob]

Yesterday my computer basically stopped working. At first it might boot into windows, but within a minute or so, I got a blue screen. Same thing in safe mode. Sometimes when I tried to boot, I wouldnt even get a blue screen. I was running my e4400 overclock to 3.0ghz (10 x 300) for a couple weeks. It had been stable on prime95 for 24 hours. I tried to do a repair using the windows disk, and it told me nothing was wrong. I was about to try to run memtest when the next time I try to boot, I just get a screen that says "Scanning Bios Image in Hard Drive...". This is as soon as I turn on my computer.
I have a gigabyte p35-ds3 and 4gb (4 x 1) ocz platinum rev. 2.

any suggestions?

 

[NoelS]

When you tried to do the repair, did you use the Recovery Console? The first R when you start a Windows install? If so, re-try the repair install and use the second R to come up after you start the install, not the Recovery Console R... if that works, you may be back in business.

You don't say what your components are... sounds like you could have a heat issue from o'clocking or your PSU may not be supporting your power requirements. You could try restoring your BIOS - remove your battery for about 10 minutes and while waiting, move your clear jumper from disable to enable, leave for 10 seconds or so then move back to disable. then put the battery back in. Power off all this time...

You could also check your memory removing all but one stick, then rotate them an try combinations...

Keep us advised, Noel

 

[roblob]

ok, my exact specs are:
Intel e4400 @ 3.0ghz
Gigabyte P35-DS3L
4Gb OCZ Platinum rev. 2 (4 x 1GB)
Diamond HD 2900XT
ABS Tagan 700w psu.
Vista 64-bit

well, I can't try the repair thing you told me yet, because I can't get even to the motherboard splash screen. The first and only screen I'm seeing now is "Scanning Bios Image in Hard Drive...". I'll try taking out memory now.

 

[roblob]

double post

 

[roblob]

triple post... woops

 

[roblob]

ok, memory switching didn't work, I'll try resetting, the BIOS now

 

[JackMDS]

Seems to me that the computer is Not really ready for the level over OC that you employ.

 

[roblob]

what makes you say that?

 

[roblob]

ok, i tried resetting the bios, that did nothing

 

[NoelS]

roblob,

At this point, there is something drastically wrong with your rig. You may have fried something with your over clock... that said, let's try something else.

Take your motherboard out of the computer, strip EVERYTHING off of it, including HDDs. Put the mobo on the cardboard box it came in (or suitable replacement) or the static-free envelope the mobo came in. Now clean off the CPU, re-install it and re-paste it, Add the HSF and plug it into the CPU fan header. Add GPU (plug in it's power lead), one stick of memory in slot 1, the monitor and keyboard/mouse, then add the PSU 20/24 pin plus 4/8 pin power leads and prepare to turn the PSU on. You may need to hook up the case's power switch or short out the power switch's posts on the mobo (where all the case leads hook up). Now turn on the PSU and hit the start switch. What happens? You should get one beep only. Does your BIOS come up?
If BIOS appears, you're back in business. Shut down. Add one remaining component only at a time and re-boot each time. If any item causes a problem, that's a culprit.

If the board doesn't boot into the BIOS, you've isolated to the mobo, CPU, PSU, or GPU. To solve that issue, you'll need to check one replacement at a time. Have you got replacements for any of those from an old machine? You can buy a PSU checker cheap at Radio Shack for about $20. Call Gigabyte tech support and explain to them what's happening, ask for a cross-ship RMA for the mobo, see if they'll do that. They may ask for you to send back for testing.

Sometimes over clocking comes with a price - it will fail a marginal item. Just have to figure out what item

Good luck, Noel

 

[Denithor]

Don't panic yet---first try this: pull all but one of those OCZ memory sticks out, hard reset the BIOS (unplug system, pull out battery, clear CMOS, put battery back after 30 minutes) and then try it again. No need to pull out of case yet for this work.

Often BSOD is caused by memory problems and OCZ memory is notorious for compatibility problems with various motherboards (doesn't like to work at 1.8V for some reason, especially with multiple sticks used). Do you have any other memory to try in this system?

I find it unlikely that you have fried anything--if the system was Prime stable for 24 hours you're probably fine from that regard, unless your power supply has failed and taken something else with it (super highly unlikely with that 700W Tagan unit but you never know).

 

[NoelS]

Originally posted by: NoelS

You don't say what your components are... sounds like you could have a heat issue from o'clocking or your PSU may not be supporting your power requirements. You could try restoring your BIOS - remove your battery for about 10 minutes and while waiting, move your clear jumper from disable to enable, leave for 10 seconds or so then move back to disable. then put the battery back in. Power off all this time...

You could also check your memory removing all but one stick, then rotate them an try combinations...

Keep us advised, Noel

Denithor,

I made the same suggestion to him earlier (as seen in this post from above) Didn't seem to help at all...

Noel

 

[Denithor]

But I have seen a case where just dropping to one stick didn't fix the problem. Dropping to one stick and clearing the BIOS did fix it.

It's at least worth trying before ripping down the whole system.

EDIT: Worth mentioning, the case I refer to was with OCZ Gold memory on a Gigabyte P965-DS3 rev1.0 board.

You might also try a different stick of memory altogether if possible (different maker). If you don't have any, buy a stick at a retailer who will take it back with no charge and see if the system will boot with Kingston/Crucial memory.

 

[NoelS]

roblob,

Unusual fix, but hey, at this point you don't have anything to lose by trying it with 1 stick of OCZ - it worked before with the OCZ so try it the way Denithor suggests. I believe your Platinum is a better grade of OCZ than the Gold, which is a value RAM.

Again, good luck. Noel

 

[roblob]

I'll try clearing the bios again, before I just did what my manual said and just shorted the cmos clear thing. I'll try it with the battery out the way you guys said this time.

I have a hard time believing that I could have fried my motherboard. The fsb was only at 300 mhz and its rated to go to the 1333 which would mean 333. I had the voltages at normal for everything except the cpu itself that was at 1.4 in bios, 1.36 with vdroop.

thanks for all the help so far

 

[roblob]

alright I reset the bios, took out the battery and everything, no change, did it with one stick of ram, no change at all. I guess I'll try taking the whole thing apart soon. I emailed gigabyte, I'm gonna see what they say first though.

 

[NoelS]

roblob,

Good idea. Did you try calling them? If you don't get a response to your e-mail, call them.

Noel

 

[roblob]

yea, its been two days since I emailed them, and still it doesn't even say they're processing it yet. I'll call them yet.

 

[roblob]

ok well I just got off the phone with Gigabyte. I told the guy everything and all the troubleshooting stuff I'd done, and then he immedietley told me to RMA it. that solves it pretty much

thanks for your help everyone

 

[NoelS]

Glad we could help you... Noel