computer wont boot up.

**slick1** · 16-10-09, 09:44 AM

Hi all,

My nephew rang me and said that his computer doesn’t work. Typical teenager. I went over and had a look and I tried to start it.
I could hear the HDD starting and the windows logo appeared. Just after that, the black screen came up with the mouse arrow/cursor appeared and that’s where it stayed. It didn’t progress to the logon screen.

I tried rebooting several times and only on 1 occasion, it booted up properly. It also booted up fine in safe mode.

I tried repairing the windows installation using the windows XP disk but that didn’t work. It kept on rebooting and coming up with the screen asking to start windows in safe mode, with networking, last known good configuration, normal. I tried last known good configuration but it just kept on rebooting.

I decided to format the C drive and reinstall from scratch. It tried to install but when it got to 32%, it just sat there forever. I checked it an hour later and it was still sitting on 32%. Im beginning to think that the HDD is stuffed but not sure as I’ve never come across this before.

What do you guys think it may be? I may try another HDD and see how it goes.

Thanks
Slick1

**kcsoft** · 16-10-09, 10:09 AM

Originally Posted by slick1

Hi all,

I decided to format the C drive and reinstall from scratch. It tried to install but when it got to 32%, it just sat there forever. I checked it an hour later and it was still sitting on 32%. Im beginning to think that the HDD is stuffed but not sure as I’ve never come across this before.

What do you guys think it may be? I may try another HDD and see how it goes.

Thanks
Slick1

another hdd may be ur best bet. is it SATA or PATA(IDE)?

**slick1** · 16-10-09, 10:17 AM

Its a SATA drive.

**admin** · 16-10-09, 10:27 AM

What happens when you run CHKDSK in command prompt ?

**kcsoft** · 16-10-09, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by slick1

Its a SATA drive.

nothing changed in bios settings for the sata controller?
if not i would try chkdsk but a reformat should have uncovered any problems.

when it gets stuck installing is there any unusual clunking or crashing noises coming from the drive? this is usually a good indicator of a f*ked drive. Also what is the HDD activity light doing when install gets stuck??

i have had weird things happen with sata drives before, try a different cable or sata port if possible.

also maybe check the power supply connection or if you have the time or really care maybe try another psu?

**Aboulaly** · 16-10-09, 10:50 AM

when you tried to format the HDD, did you do a quick format or a normal format? if it was a quick one, try again with the normal format as it checks the drive for any errors and tries to fix them automatically, if it's hanging at 32%, you might have one of these problems, CD is not readable, CD/DVD rom is stuffed, or HDD is giving up on you.

**kcsoft** · 16-10-09, 10:56 AM

Originally Posted by Aboulaly

when you tried to format the HDD, did you do a quick format or a normal format? if it was a quick one, try again with the normal format as it checks the drive for any errors and tries to fix them automatically, if it's hanging at 32%, you might have one of these problems, CD is not readable, CD/DVD rom is stuffed, or HDD is giving up on you.

thats what i meant by the format in my earlier post.
if u need an xp iso send me a pm

out of coincidence turned on the shed computer this morning and one of its hdd's has the platter clatter of doom. hopefully i can get some info off it b4 it's completely dead.

**slick1** · 16-10-09, 06:58 PM

i tried formatting using the normal format. its weird because its like the hdd spins every now and then. There isn't any clunking sound.

i think i'll try another HDD. i'll see if i can scroung around for a SATA HDD.

i didn't change any of the BIOS Settings.

i'll keep you all posted on how i went.

Thanks
Slick1

**kcsoft** · 16-10-09, 07:45 PM

Originally Posted by slick1

i tried formatting using the normal format. its weird because its like the hdd spins every now and then. There isn't any clunking sound.

sounds like something on the power side of the drive is stuffed. come across a few of them too.

**mickc** · 16-10-09, 09:26 PM

try swapping out the powersupply first

**mandc** · 16-10-09, 10:03 PM

Windows install hangs often occur because of things such as modems lan cards etc causing problems.
Try the install with the bare minimum and install the cards after the install.

**kcsoft** · 17-10-09, 03:22 PM

Originally Posted by mandc

Windows install hangs often occur because of things such as modems lan cards etc causing problems.
Try the install with the bare minimum and install the cards after the install.

go into the bios and disable it if it's onboard that can sometimes work
then just enable them again after you have a fresh install.
had to do that before. i blame buggy M$ drivers.

**RHCP** · 17-10-09, 06:39 PM

I would get a copy of seatools for dos or the equivalent software from your hdd manufacture and run a full test on the hdd....then you will know if it is the problem.

**maxi** · 17-10-09, 07:29 PM

disks are cheap, fresh install is the way to go.

**astro_boy** · 18-10-09, 05:07 PM

Odd, same thing has just happend to a friends pc just yesterday.
On boot after windows xp screen you get a black screen with only the mouse.
Even in safe mode.

Havn't found much on google saying what i could be,
but i'll just format it as that will be the quickest way to resolve the issue.

**puca** · 19-10-09, 08:27 AM

sounds like it is having a issue with hardware loading drivers for something and stopping
try unplugging all non essential parts see if it boots if it does reconnect parts 1 by 1