PC stuffed please help

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lilggg

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Hi, over the last few weeks i have been getting more and more BSOD ranging from errors like, IRQL less than equal to, something about drivers, an uncorrectable hardware error, MACHINE_CHECK_EXCEPTION etc etc. I decided to try change my nvidia drivers to an older version which i knew worked, this helped but only for 1 night and then the BSOD got even worse. It would even do it in safe mode.

Then it got even worse if i try boot into safe mode pc would restart. So i decided to try reinstall windows, but BSOD every time during setup. I gave up for a while and decided to try again without the Gcard and still had the same problems. So i tried with the card again and since then the screen is just black, i took out everything except CPU and the mobo, and there is no beeping at all. Also its started to boot up on its own, during the middle of the night my pc suddenly decides to start after being off for over 7 hours.

Now it starts up after a few minutes of being off. I really have no idea what to do or try. My mom has a new pc here which ive tried the hdd's in and they seem to be fine, but my ram is DDR2 and hers supports DDR3, but it looks like i could try the CPU in hers but i'm worried it might mess hers up too. Anyone have any suggestions?

Thanks
 
Likely to be related to a piece of hardware malfunctioning. Try using onboard memory (if you aren't already). If that doesn't help, try removing RAM chips, one by one, to see if any of them are causing the problem...
 
No its not the gfx card. More likely PSU or busted mobo or an electrical short between mobo & case.
 
I have removed the RAM, and there should be beeping if i'm correct? All the fans work but there is no beeping. The only thing i havn't tried is a different PSU or removing the battery.But have a feeling that wouldn't help.

There was a crapload of dust in the heatsink which i cleaned, but i read it\s very unlikely the CPU would fry if the fans are working.
 
That the machine starts up after a while could indicate capacitors are needing to reach a certain level of charge before a power good signal is generated.

Check the capacitors, especially around the CPU area, for any signs of swelling, leakage, discharges on the top (ie dried gunk) etc. If there are any damaged capacitors, you might have to get someone with the right equipment to replace them or replace the M/B.

Also, take a soft eraser (the soft white kind) and clean the contacts on the RAM gently to remove oxidation build-up.

As a last resort, try the motherboard outside of the case.
 
As much as it could be a hardware problem, have you installed any funky software lately, or ran a keygen or anything weird like that?
I'd give a the hardware a check, but maybe a format + reinstall could be an option for you?
 
nakedpeanut said:
As much as it could be a hardware problem, have you installed any funky software lately, or ran a keygen or anything weird like that?
I'd give a the hardware a check, but maybe a format + reinstall could be an option for you?
Click to expand...

>>>>>>>
lilggg said:
So i decided to try reinstall windows, but BSOD every time during setup.
Click to expand...

:whistle:
:p
 
Try re-seat all components from RAM to CPU, I find most of my BSOD problems come from a card not being in "fully" and after I rebuild my comp it works :P otherwise faulty component
 
Hahaha I missed that part :o

Ya see if you can get a memtest to run on your machine
 
Ok im busy using my moms pc, i did run memtest from the vista repair option,it got to 100% and then BSOD. I've done a few things, i removed the battery, and broke the clip, didn't help. I put my CPU on my mom's mobo with nothing else connected, fans work but monitor black. I then put my mobo in her pc with her CPU and the same story. I also tried her PSU with my mobo and CPU and also the same story. So i don't think i've really solved anything. Oh i also tried some other mobo's lying around which my dad had problems with but same thing, fans work monitor black. Not sure what else to try except buy a mobo and hope it fixes it.
 
timvdwest said:
This. Its easy to test and if it is the memory then its also cheap to replace.
Click to expand...


Surely if the memory was a problem i should still at least see something on the monitor without the ram inserted? Or at least there should be beeping.
 
There will only be beeping if your motherboard has a built in speaker or you've connected a speaker to the motherboard (not through the normal 3.5mm jack)

Can you not get a replacement GPU?
If the RAM is fine, my next guess would be GPU then Motherboard.

And last thing are you sure you connected the screen correctly and that it's on? :p
 
lilggg said:
Ok im busy using my moms pc, i did run memtest from the vista repair option,it got to 100% and then BSOD. I've done a few things, i removed the battery, and broke the clip, didn't help. I put my CPU on my mom's mobo with nothing else connected, fans work but monitor black. I then put my mobo in her pc with her CPU and the same story. I also tried her PSU with my mobo and CPU and also the same story. So i don't think i've really solved anything. Oh i also tried some other mobo's lying around which my dad had problems with but same thing, fans work monitor black. Not sure what else to try except buy a mobo and hope it fixes it.
Click to expand...
That clip you broke...you kinda needed that. It conducts power from the battery.

From what you're saying, it sounds like you've got at least 2 busted components. Your CPU & mobo by the sound of it. Or alternatively the components you're swapping aren't compatible with the setup you're putting them in.

First build one box that does actually work (hers). Then put your PSU in there & see if it still works. Word of warning though, if they PSU is bad then it might fry her gear too...that is why the opposite approach is usually used....but you don't seem to be having much luck with that.
 
Most of the advice here is solid. 99% of the time, this is pointing to a dodgy motherboard or PSU. The fact that there is no beeping when the RAM and GPU are out, but the fans are spinning, tends to point towards a faulty motherboard. As mentioned earlier, check first for faulty capacitors, and if possible, take the motherboard out, and look underneath for any discolorations. Look near the point where power is plugged in. If there is any discolorations, then you'll most likely need to replace both the motherboard and the PSU.

Good luck
 
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