27 replies to this topic

[Bent Club]

Friends computer either boots into a black , or sometimes Gray screen.
If he reboots , windows comes up . ??
Is there a Diagnostic software he can run to see what the cause is ?
Thanks

[Broni]

Well intermittent issues are always hard to solve.

In my opinion, possibly some dying hardware, but it could be anything, power supply, video card, hard drive even motherboard.
Until it happens on every boot it'll be really hard to track it down.

[Keeper]

You may want to try this, I am not an expert but had this problem with one of my older computers and tried this...

Try cleaning the inside of the computer, dust can and is a big problem.

Another instance that might be causing this is your memory card (RAM). Try to remove it and place it in another memory slot on the motherboard.

To be sure if your motherboard is still in good working condition, remove the memory card and power on the PC.

You should hear continuous beep sounds.

If you hear this then your motherboard is fine.

If placing the memory card in another slot does not work then the problem lies with the memory card itself. You may need to replace it.

It could also be that some faulting PCI cards are causing this error. Check your NETWORK CARD (PCI) OR A WIRELESS CARD !!!

Try to remove your PCI cards. Normally a faulting PCI modem can cause this type of problem. Remove it and then power on the pc.

[Bent Club]

Thanks
Just spoke with him , it happens at every boot .
Sent him the instructions to check the ram .

[Bent Club]

Wireless router from Verizon . Lap top works fine . running XP

[Broni]

Let's clarify.
Any initial boot = black screen
Any restart afterwards = good boot
Is that it?

[Bent Club]

Correct . Lap top has no problems . works fine.

[Broni]

More questions.
If you turn the computer off and then start it again (cold boot) vs. restart will the issue happen, or some longer break is needed?

[Bent Club]

I fairley sure he is doing a cold boot Broni . I can check for sure tomorrow .

[Broni]

Let me know....

[Bent Club]

Will do . Thanks for the help.

[Bent Club]

"any start or restart it comes up black"

[Broni]

It's getting "muddy".
Windows doesn't load at all anymore?

[Bent Club]

Windows loads on the reboot . gets black screen on restart , or cold boot .
Booted without ram , constant beep .

[Broni]

Quote

Windows loads on the reboot . gets black screen on restart , or cold boot .

What do you call "reboot"? What do you call "restart"?

[Bent Club]

Sorry for the confusion .
Reboot = Cold Boot
Restart = start , shut down , Restart .

[Broni]

OK.
1. Reboot = Cold Boot - what happens here? Does it make any difference if computer is started after 1 minute, or 1 day break?

2. Restart = start , shut down , Restart - what happens in this scenatio?

[Bent Club]

Makes no difference after one minute ,or day .
same scenario for both 1 and 2 .
getting one beep every three seconds , power light on Monitor flashing .
Can not get into windows now , just black screen,

[Broni]

...and on second attempt it boots?

[Bent Club]

Use to , Now he is just getting the black screen with the flashing light on the Monitor.