Gateway desktop will not boot up

[sturick]

I have been experiencing a recurring issue with my computer. When my computer reboots sometimes it loads properly. It takes a while but it gets there. Then sometimes, like right now, it will try and load but fail. It goes to a screen where it gives me two options. The options are to run windows repair or start windows normally. Windows repair doesn't do anything. It brings me back to the screen with the same two choices. Starting normally tries to start windows but also brings me back to this screen.

Any thoughts on what might be causing this?

I have tried other things such as replacing the hard drive in the past that worked for a while but the issue keeps coming back. My two biggest thoughts are a defective motherboard or ram memory.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Turner]

First thing I would check would be for disc errors. If you have another computer you can mount that hard drive on, do so and run chkdsk /r from a command prompt. You'll probably also want to run a virus and a malware scan.

If you don't have another computer you can mount the drive on, find a windows installation disc and boot to the recovery console. You can then run chkdsk from there.

 

[sturick]

Thank you for the quick response.

I will try the chkdsk tonight.

Will I be able to run this from safe mode?

My other computer is a laptop so I won't be able to remount the drive.

 

[Turner]

You could mount the drive with a USB/SATA connector, assuming the desktop hard drive is SATA. If it's IDE, they have connectors for that as well. Check a radio shack or best buy near you for one. They're cheap, I got one from Microcenter for about 10 bucks.

I wouldn't run it under safe mode. You can, but I don't believe it will correct the errors if it finds any. Best to mount on another computer or run from a recovery console.

 

[sturick]

Since I have my important files backed up to an external drive, I will be reformatting my drive and reinstalling windows.

Once that is complete I will run chkdsk (my recovery discs didn't give me an option to run this) to examine the hard drive.

If that passes inspection, I will run memtest to examine the RAM.

Are there any other diagnostics/stress tests I can run on my machine to inspect the hardware? I am inclined to think this is a hardware problem and not software related. This is the second time I have had this problem and I replaced the hard drive and PSU less than a year ago.

 

[sturick]

Update:

I have tried 3 times now to reinstall Windows via my recovery discs. About 2/3 of the way through copying over the files I get an error message something to the effect of a corrupted file and the process stops.

This obviously seems like a hard drive issue now given the nature of this error. What I want to know is it possible that my computer has a hardware issue and my hard drive failing is a symptom of the hardware issue?

 

[Turner]

It's either an error with the recovery discs, or an error with the hard drive. I would bet on the hard drive.

At this point, I would get it on another machine and run chkdsk /r from a command prompt.

 

[warpus]

Might as well run memtest86

My initial reaction was HD too, but he said that he replaced with a new one

 

[PeteAtoms]

You could try getting a hold of a live rescue CD, like SystemRescueCD. There are lots of them out there, and I don't have much experience with them, but they might be able to help.

 

[TrailblazingScot]

You'll probably also want to run a virus and a malware scan.

Funny.

This advice is parroted out to solve every computer problem ever.

I've spilt coffee over my computer and now it doesn't work. Advice: you've probably got malware, run a virus checker.

I'll go with the other cliche - buy a new computer.

 

[sturick]

Another update:

I finally was able to run the chkdsk on my hard drive. It only took so long because I ordered a sata/usb adapter (very handy item Turner!).

I just glanced at the results on my way to work this morning (I can post details tonight if needed) and it did show that there were 1400 kB of bad sectors. So should I assume that this hard drive has met its maker? Or is there any hope of salvaging any more use out of the drive as a secondary HDD?

Let me explain...I ordered an SSD to install my operating system and my most commonly used programs. Would I be able to use this drive to store TV shows, lesser used programs, etc. that I would not be concerned with losing in the event the drive suffers total failure???

 

[fromeast2west]

A lot of advice really depends on your personal budget and how reliable the drive needs to be.

Personally, storage is cheap enough these days that I always replace suspect drives. You could try completely wiping the suspect drive and then running some tests on it, but 1TB drives are just over $100. BTW, how old is the old drive? What version of Windows are you loading?

 

[fromeast2west]

Funny.

This advice is parroted out to solve every computer problem ever.

I've spilt coffee over my computer and now it doesn't work. Advice: you've probably got malware, run a virus checker.

I'll go with the other cliche - buy a new computer.

The first piece of advice is doled out so often because such a large number of PCs are infected and you'll want to eliminate any infections both to clear up symptoms during diagnostics and for security down the road.

The second piece of advice is given so often because a lot of people sink money into old PIII systems to keep them running when they'd probably end up saving money in the long run by upgrading to a modern budget system. It also doesn't help when some people turn to their nearest tech expecting them to sink hours and hours into fixing their old machine so their cheap butts can save a few bucks.

 

[sturick]

A lot of advice really depends on your personal budget and how reliable the drive needs to be.

Personally, storage is cheap enough these days that I always replace suspect drives. You could try completely wiping the suspect drive and then running some tests on it, but 1TB drives are just over $100. BTW, how old is the old drive? What version of Windows are you loading?

The drive was a little over a year old and was a replacement for a crashed drive that was a little over a year old. Both crashes just outside of the warranty period. Which makes me think I am either unlucky, something else is wrong with my setup, or both.

Sadly, I am running Vista. That alone makes me want to buy a new computer but the current budget just won't allow for that. That's why I would like to salvage something out of the drive, if possible.

 

[fromeast2west]

To have two drives fail in such a short time is odd enough to warrant looking at other variables.

Not that this stuff will help you with the failed drives, but it could prevent a repeat:

Check for heat, dust and sources of vibration around the PC. Make sure it has adequate ventilation anywhere the case is designed for it (usually the back, but it could also be vented on the sides and/or top). If possible, make sure it's at least a few inches off the floor, especially around carpeting. You also don't want it next to or on top of a subwoofer or anything else that is going to transmit a lot of vibration to the case.

You could also have a power issue causing the circuit boards on the drives to fail, but I'd imagine you'd see that pop up in other ways too. Does your house/apt. have older wiring? Is the PC on the same circuit as anything else that pulls a significant load?

Now on to the drives: what brand and spec drives? Are they IDE or SATA drives? (fat ribbon cable or a skinny plastic coated cable?)

When you tried to reinstall Windows, did you try to do a complete fresh install (start by wiping the drive), or was it doing a repair install?

 

[sturick]

To have two drives fail in such a short time is odd enough to warrant looking at other variables.

Not that this stuff will help you with the failed drives, but it could prevent a repeat:

Check for heat, dust and sources of vibration around the PC. Make sure it has adequate ventilation anywhere the case is designed for it (usually the back, but it could also be vented on the sides and/or top). If possible, make sure it's at least a few inches off the floor, especially around carpeting. You also don't want it next to or on top of a subwoofer or anything else that is going to transmit a lot of vibration to the case.

You could also have a power issue causing the circuit boards on the drives to fail, but I'd imagine you'd see that pop up in other ways too. Does your house/apt. have older wiring? Is the PC on the same circuit as anything else that pulls a significant load?

Now on to the drives: what brand and spec drives? Are they IDE or SATA drives? (fat ribbon cable or a skinny plastic coated cable?)

When you tried to reinstall Windows, did you try to do a complete fresh install (start by wiping the drive), or was it doing a repair install?

Boy do I feel like a noob...

Close to floor-check (it's on a wooden board on the carpet)
Subwoofer nearby-check
Old wiring-check (House built 1919--but I have a decent surge)

Both sata drives-not sure on first but second was Western Digital
Reinstall was a clean install.

 

[fromeast2west]

The problem with being on the floor is the higher volume of dust that gets sucked in by the cooling fans. You can either clean out the case regularly or just move it up off the floor a bit to cut down on what it pulls in.

Moving the case away from vibration is ideal, but if you can't then there are ways to mount drives to reduce it. These will probably entail costs and rebuilding time you don't want.

Most surge protectors don't do much to prevent 'normal' fluctuations in power. They're just there to block the big spikes. A quality power supply will help even out the variations they let through (of which the lows can be as bad as the highs); but unless Gateway has really changed their practices in the last few years they aren't using high quality power supplies. Most of the solutions for that involve cost again (either with a UPS power system and/or a quality power supply).

So the easiest things are:

1. completely wipe the HDD and reinstall Windows, you can use any one of several free disk wiping utilities at download.com

2. Clean out the PC and keep it off the floor with adequate ventilation

3. Move the PC away from the subwoofer

4. Try to put your electronics and high draw appliances on separate circuits (and that may include the subwoofer you mentioned).

.. but to answer your prior question, if the drive still has problems after a complete wipe and reinstall of windows that I wouldn't trust it for anything, even data you don't really depend on. It would be like dating someone you knew was going to give you an STD.

 

[sturick]

Excellent information fromeast2west! And from everyone else as well.

I upgraded the PSU in the past so I'm not using the weak original PSU. I'll have to work on the circuit situation. I'm not sure with my old house(limited outlets) I can fully implement the separation of the high draw equipment at this time.

I have also put to use some of the suggestions you laid out and I installed my new SSD drive last night. It's small but it is incredibly fast. And should hold up better than the old drives too. At least I hope so.

Thanks again for everyone's help...I appreciate it greatly!