Vista Freezes During both HDD AND DVD Boot

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PGuk

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#16566 17-Oct-2007 01:08

HI everyone,

I've having intermittant but frequent problems booting Vista after an upgrade.

What I Did:

I've just upgraded my processor and RAM from an Intel Celeron D to the Quad Core Q6600 and my ram from 2x Corair XMS DDR1 512MB 400Mhz to 2x Corsair XMS DDR2 1Gb 675Mhz. I added a Windows remote control and had a failed attempted at installing a USB bluetooth dongle (bad driver). Full Spec at bottom.

Problem:

My PC only boots first time afer its been left switched off for a long time (maybe coincidence but thats how it seems). On booting from RAID array it freezes at the green animated loading bar - but will normally boot into safe mode. I thought I'd boot from DVD and try a repair, but it froze as soon as it tried to access hard drives. Hard drive light stays on in both case (except when i tried a boot with RAID disabled in BIOS - and DVD boot still failed)

I wondered if when it tries to access the hard drives at the same time as optical drive it fails due to power issue. But then again it won't boot when optical drives are empty, but will boot into safe mode and usually boots ok after being switched off a long time. Also, after a successful safe mode boot, the next proper boot attempt is usually successfull (but the computer restarted itself once after 10 mins).

I've Tried:

Memory Test - Both new sticks have no errors
I've checked the Heat Sink is properly mounted (and CPU runs under 39C)
Booting with only USB mouse and Ps2 Keyb. attached - still failed
Booting with just DVD (i.e Bios disabled hard drives by turning off RAID and switching to normal mode so stored data unreadable - still failed)
Booting with DVD with RAID switched on - Boots in Safe mode
Trying to reinstall windows running DVD from safe mode - boot failed after restart when PC attempts to expand files onto HDD raid array.
CMOS Bios Reset.
Changing almost all BIOS settings to reasonable values.

Does anyone have any ideas only I have a rather expensive door-stop at the moment. Could it be something to do with the failed Bluetooth dongle install - but then whey won't it boot from DVD? I'm puzzled as to how i can usually get into safe mode and it normally boots properly if i restart immediately afterward entering safe mode.

The HDDs worked fine until the upgrade so i think they're ok, and after the upgrade the new Processor was recognised on Boot and the driver installed (windows showed all 4 cores active). Bios shows correct CPU and RAM.

Hopefully someone can help me. Thanks in advance!

My Spec:

Windows Vista x64 Home Premium
ASrock 4Core-Dual Vista (Bios v2.1 -latest)
Intel Core2Quad Q6600 (SLACR G0)
2x Corsair XMS 675Mhz 1Gb DDRII
2x Seagate 80Gb SATA (Via driven Raid 0)
2x LG DVD RAM/ROM Optical Drives
MSI Nvidia 7300GS PCIexp. (HDMI/HDCP - latest driver)
USB Generic Card Reader
Windows Media Centre Remote Control
500W Magma PSU
(MS Wireless Laser Mouse + PS2 Keyboard)

barf

643 posts

Ultimate Geek

#91325 17-Oct-2007 09:40

power supply comes to mind

Sniffing the glue holding the Internet together

PGuk

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#91346 17-Oct-2007 11:20

Hi, I think you could be right.

I disconnected the power to the DVD drives and it seems to boot ok. I think that spec. probably requires more power.

Thanks for your help!

PGuk

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#92158 23-Oct-2007 22:49

UPDATE

I just changed the power supply to a 650W modular unit, and I have exactly the same probs. I notice that when I adjust the RAM settings in the BIOS i can control at what stage the boot freezes. So is it a RAM issue? and if so, how do i fix it?

freitasm

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#92176 24-Oct-2007 08:05

How do you know the memory is ok?

I recommend you try running the Microsoft Windows Memory Diagnostic. Burn it to a CD, boot from this disc and let it run overnight.

PGuk

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#92210 24-Oct-2007 13:21

Hi,

I've just run the Windows Vista Memory tester (the one where it reboots and runs for about 15mins then returns to Windows with the results).

No errors were found, however the PC was unable to return to windows after the test was complete and froze on the green loading bar.

I've set the ram to DDRII 533 in the Bios and enabled the compatibility mode (which effectively underclocks the RAM still further). It boots slightly more often.

It seems to always boot after being completely unplugged from the power. BUT after a Restart it only boots 10-20% of the time. I have to go into safe mode (which always boots), then shut-down and then leave in 15 seconds and then re-boot. I tried removing all harware and removing all the drivers and just having the Keyboard and Mouse.... but it made no difference whatsoever.

Can't think of anything else relevant to tell you.

HELP!!!

PGuk

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#92215 24-Oct-2007 13:57

Ok, I'm starting to see this error message now when the boot freezes:

I get the BSOD then:

IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

Then it dumps Ram to HDD.

RAM/pagefile error (http://aumha.org/a/stop.htm)?

Also I keep getting BSOD during boot-up with a message saying Windows detected an error and has shut-down to prevent damage.

I'm guessing its the RAM, but I don't know if its the Bios setting or whether its faulty. The application you told me to use won't make a floppy disk for some reason and the ISO it burns to DVD is unusable. I'm getting other errors too in Vista. I can no longer reflash the Bios. When I click ok everything instantly freezes and the disks go silent.

Any ideas? I don't have another motherboard that takes DDRII, although I can probably get my hands on the old DDRI sticks I used to have and give them ago in about 10 days time. is there anything you could suggest in the meantime?

Thanks a lot!

rscole86

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#92236 24-Oct-2007 15:30

Definitely sounds like faulty ram to me.

In reagards to the ISO onto DVD, who did you burn it to DVD? As it should work fine.

Another application you could try is on the UBCD, ultimate boot CD, this has a memory tester also. Or you can just get the memory tester itself it is called memtest86.

If you can even one fault, then the RAM should be replaced to see if that is the cause of your problems.

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freitasm

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#92257 24-Oct-2007 17:22

Either faulty RAM or motherboard...

PGuk

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#92330 25-Oct-2007 03:30

Ok,

I've just run Memtest 86 (v3.3) for nearly 10 hours and it found NO errors with the ram. I'm a bit concerned about the processor info. I've just tried running Memtest86 on a laptop and it gave me correct processor details, but on the main pc its a bit vague.

It says the Processor is 2306 Mhz (when my Bios says 2.4Ghz),
It says L1 cache is 64K
and L2 cache is unknown.

Is this normal for an intel Q6600 ?

So if its not the ram, what do i do next? Ideas much appreciated.

Thanks