My desktop computer cannot boot up. Desperate. Pls help.

Clarifications

Do you need to get any Data off the HDD?

If you do it's more than likely that it's way too late to even consider this option now with what you have done.

Secondly test the RAM with something like Mem Test on the Ultimate Boot CD which is available free from here

http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/download.html

Just make sure to download the ISO on this Web Page and not the Add which is for something different. ;)

After you download the ISO File and burn to CD boot your faulty computer off the CD and see if it runs. If it falls over try some of the Diagnostics but the main ones to check are CPU, RAM and Video Card, forget the DOS Idea as it's not supported by many newer M'Boards.

You also need to confirm the correct function of the M'Board as this is a ECS M'Board which have a very poor Reliability reputation it's quite possible that the M'Board has suffered a Failure. As you where not there when the unit fell over it's also possible that the Power Supply has given up the Ghost and unfortunately this doesn't mean that the computer is just dead it can mean that everything sort of works and then the system appears to restart.

Even if FANS run and the Video Appears on the screen this doesn't mean that the system is actually working correctly just that it's getting enough power to run the system to the stage where things go wrong. So if the the unit doesn't run with a Boot Disc like the Ultimate Boot CD in it you should look at replacing the PS and trying again with a [b]Known Good[/b] Power Supply.

As for the new HDD as this M'Board has SATA HDD Capability and if you are using a SATA HDD you may need the correct SATA Driver for Vista here. This can be got from ECS/Eletegroup Web Site or from your M'Board Disc.

http://www.ecsusa.com/ECSWebSite/Index.aspx?MenuID=0&LanID=9

Col

One more note, each time the computer froze, I cannot reboot any more b/cos it will hang/froze again BEFORE it can even read the D drive. So, I have to turn the power off, waited about 5 minutes at least, then reboot to read the D drive. Why? If I reboot immediately after it hanged, it will hang again!

Try turning off the computer, removing the adapter, removing the battery, and waiting one hour. It's actually just around fifteen to thirty minutes but I think one hour for good measure. Plug your computer in without the battery and try starting up your computer. That should tell you that you have a bad date and time in your computer and should set it up. If it does that, you've reset your BIOS. Now, while you're in BIOS, make sure that your computer even sees that you have a hard drive installed in that system.

You need to open the case and at the very least clean it out. You can used Canned Air to do this but most defiantly none of those Static Dust Collecting devices that are advertised on TV. Also you shouldn't use a Vacuum Cleaner either as they generate Static in the way that they pump air around.

When you start the system and get the [b]Insert System Disc[/b] Message this is just telling you that there is no OS present it needs a [i]System Disc[/i] to load an OS. Here you should be inserting the Vista Install DVD to allow the system to start the Install Process.

So back tot he Ultimate Boot CD insert this and start the system. When you get the Menu Screen Select the Memory Option then when the next screen opens select the Memtest86+ Option and run that.

This is a Open Ended Test it will run as long as the computer runs it will not revert to anything else. If the lines stop moving or adding to the page the system has hung up. If there are any entries in Red there is a RAM Error and you need to look at the actual installed RAM.

As I have never had much joy with ECS M'Boards over the years I tend to expect the M'Board to be damaged and need replacing but maybe that's just me as I have never had any joy with systems using that brand of M'Board and I've spent a lot of time wasted trying to get customers systems to work again, till I just refused to do any work on computers with this brand of M'Board,. For a few $ more you could fit a Gigabyte M'Board which are ultra Reliable will last for years if there is a Part way decent Power Supply involved and just work. ECS M'Boards on the other hand tend to take ages to be replaced while Under Guarantee and then if they last long enough to rebuild the computer that you have to fit them to and they get back tot he owner it's close to a miracle. The last one of those M'Boards that I worked with I got 3 supposedly [b]New[/b] M'Boards the first 2 didn't work and the third one died while Windows was being loaded and that was with a New Antec Power Supply fitted.

Of course it was my fault int he owners eyes that it took 6 weeks to repair and the fact that ECS took so long to supply nonfunctional M'Boards as a replacement didn't count. Hence if I now get a nonworking system with a ECS M'Board I give the Owner the option of dealing with ECS themselves for a replacement or just fit a Suitable Gigabyte M'Board and Antec Power Supply which they pay for.

Anyway after you have the unit clean you need to look at the M'Board for any signs of Obvious Damage, so any Burn Marks exploded Integrated Circuits and the like mean that the M'Board needs replacing. It also means that the Power Supply is to be suspected and if it's a No Name Brand replaced with a Good Unit that actually filters the Mains Voltage and prevents Spikes entering the case destroying the Electronics.

You also need to look for Bulging/Leaking Electrolytic Capacitors. These look like little Tin Cans standing on their ends and are mostly around the CPU. If any are leaking or have rounded tops the M'Board needs replacing. If these are leaking [b]Do Not[/b] touch the liquid coming out of them as this is Toxic and will not do you any good Handel the M'Boards with great Care and make sure that anything leaking can not run onto anything that you touch. If there is any of this liquid on the bottom of the case you need to clean it off but not touch it with your skin so be careful.

Now if the M'Board looks OK remove all but 1 RAM Module which is the closest to the CPU and try to test the RAM again. If the test fails remove that 1 RAM Module and fit another of the removed ones to the socket where you removed the Last removed Module from and retest the unit.

If it passes the test try loading the system with the Vista Disc with only the 1 RAM Module Fitted and see how that goes. If it doesn't load the OS check the connection on the Cables tot eh HDD and make sure that both ends of the Data Lead is connected. Ideally the Data Lead should be connected to Socket 0 or 1 on the SATA Connector whichever is the lowest number.

Lets see how that goes. ;)

Col

After about 5 minutes, I try again. It completed the memory check, reads the Vista Install disk. Message displayed " .... press any key to boot from CD or DVD...."
Then, the screen goes blank. I noticed the power also shut down. That's why blank.

This time, the power supply did NOT shut down. After the msg displayed "boot from DVD", it takes a a minute b4 it goes blank.

Reseat everything you can, all boards like the graphic cards.

hopefully each module is same as each other with the exception of size only. If you have different memory modules of different speeds and possibly voltages, your machine will do funny things. you can stick in X # of DDR2 PC6400 or X # of DDR3 10333 or whatever flavor memory but you can't mix and match em together.

What' the BIOS say ? how much memory, PC Health status etc... could also be power supply.

Whenever you go into the BIOS settings, does it read that you do have a hard drive installed? Some BIOS have a hard drive check. If you run any utility from BIOS that tries to access your hard drive, does it still see your hard drive? You might have a component in your motherboard that is starting to fail like the SATA controller. If your DVD drive is also on the SATA controller and it does not have issues (e.g. when you're trying to install, it is able to go through the motions of actually detecting hard drives) then you probably have a problem with your power supply. All signs are pointing towards a motherboard failure, though...or imminent motherboard failure. ASUS makes good motherboards but a bit pricey, I have not had problems with my Gigabyte motherboard at home and those are pretty reasonable.

I apologize for not noticing desktop. I had it confused with workstation. Good luck on your system repair!

I'm wondering if this is an older system that is developing a heat-related problem.

Just for grins, can you shut it down for several hours and leave it? Then leave the covers off and try a true "cold" start. If it comes up and runs well for a while, then gets flaky again, it may be heat-related. If it's a board that's gone flaky, it's probably easiest to get a new system. RAM and other add-ins might be replaceable, but it may be difficult to determine which component is failing for sure.

One thing for certain: If the system starts up from cold, BACKUP IMMEDIATELY!
Get any data you need while you can.

Good luck.

got the 32 bit version laying around? or maybe 32 bit XP? leave out the 1GB memory modules or leave out the 2GB modules and boot to CD and see what 32 bit does. Note: Windows 32 bit will only address a max of 4GB of memory. To get more or use all, must use 64 bit Windows.

for all around computer parts see Newegg.com they've got reviews on stuff where you can read about others experiences and problems with products.

It's a good possibility that the northbridge one the Motherboard is failing under load. If this is the case then replacing anything would be useless. Either go get a new Motherboard or just a new unit instead and use the same hard drive so you dont loose your data. Good luck.

Disconnect all peripherals, drives, expansion cards, RAM. Just see if the thing stays on.

But you probably need a replacement board or PSU. If the machine is still under warranty, contact Acer now. If not, you can take it to a shop, or you can try a known good PSU with a power rating that covers the needs of your system. If that doesn't work, it's the board.

Please povide me the BIOS version details for your desktop..need to check if any of the changes occured in the BIOS settings..Also is your desktop branded or assembled,if yes which brand..

are you trying to install windows

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