Boot Issue

[Reznor]

Firstly, I apologise if this has been covered before but I couldn't find it here, or by typing it in google.

 

Secondly, my computer:

AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4200+

Windows XP Professional (5.1, Build 2600) Service Pack 2

NVIDIA GeForce 7300 SE/7200 GS 512mb

Memory: 2048MB RAM

 

(off the top of my head, more can be supplied if required)

 

Finally, the issue. After the post screen, but before Windows boots I get a flashing command prompt for about a minute. This happens on every boot, and has happened since I first got computer. Admittedly this was some time ago, and only recently has it started to annoy me. The computer was a home build.

 

Just before the screen goes to black with the command prompt on it, at the end of the post screen an error seems to appear but it's so quick I can't see it. Is there a way of slowing it down ?

 

Any help would be appreciated.

 

Thanks

R

[maynardvdm]

Hi

 

Welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help.

 

Does the PC boot into Windows?

 

Does it boot in Safe Mode?

 

Try this:

 

Right-Click on My Computer and select Properties

Click on the Advanced Tab

Under the heading Startup and Recovery click Settings

Untick Automatically Restart

 

Also after this problem is fixed i would recommend installing Service Pack 3 for windows XP

[Reznor]

It boots fine - always has.

Just there is this strange delay. I've tried the suggested fix above and it's still the same.

 

Installed SP3 today also.

 

Thanks

[Plastic Nev]

Hi reznor, if you unticked the "Automatically restart" it should stop at that error message so you can see what it is and let us know what it says.

If it isn't a stop error though then it won't stay up, it will carry on booting up.

Nev.

[Reznor]

Hi,

 

Thanks again.

 

I unticked the "Automatically Restart" box, and it made no difference. Looking closely at it again it reminds of me when the autoexec used to run back in pre-windows days. Like a some dos prompt commands....

I'm going to try and video it and then slow down the playback.

 

Thanks

R

[Jelly Bean]

That will be a good idea.

[Reznor]

Ok, so I took a video and slowed it down.....

 

What looked like an oldschool batch file running was actually the detection and allocation of the hard drives, and a search for USB mass storage devices. Not an error to be seen.....

 

The last thing that appeared before the screen want to black with the flashing cursor was "Checking NVRAM".....Is this the culprit ?

 

Thanks Again

 

R

[Jelly Bean]

Hello again.

 

Sorry it took so long to reply I just got back from a laptop repair job.

 

Ok first off try resitting your RAM.

 

Or open her up and use the BIOS reset jumper to reset the BIOS.

 

Possibly bad BIOS battery.

[Reznor]

Forgive my ignorance...but resitting RAM - is that literally taking it out and putting it back in?

 

I did find this:

 

Windows XP 2 minute black screen at boot - [H]ard|Forum

 

but it's talking about things I've never heard of !

Edited September 7, 2009 by Reznor

[Jelly Bean]

Yes it is remove RAM and resit it.

 

But try resetting BIOS first.

 

Just remove BIOS battery for two minutes while powered off and remove from mains power.

 

Replace BIOS battery,restart computer and see if it now is any better.

 

Removing all external hardware not needed to boot the computer can also test the issue.

 

An IDE cable may also be an issue.

 

If we can test a few things first.

 

Is your computer keeping time and date?

 

A BIOS update may be required but not sure at this time.

[Reznor]

Yes, it is keeping the time and date.

 

Have reset the bios, re-entered correct boot sequence etc....but still no joy I'm afraid. Also tried re-sitting the RAM :( Did you read that link ?

 

What's next on the to-do-list ?

 

Thanks again

R

[Jelly Bean]

First,download the program from here:

 

http://www.memtest.org

 

There are three types of downloads you can get, a bootable CD (.iso),USB and a bootable floppy disk. Pick one and download it. If you're experiencing troubles using the CD or Floppy versions, you may try the USB version, but i haven't tried it yet.Maybe some one else has tried the USB version and will add "How to" to this thread.http://www.pchelpforum.com/images/smilies/smiley.gif

 

Scroll down almost to the bottom of the page and you will see listed the downloadable files listed on the left.

 

Test the system with all RAM sticks inserted first.

Or time consuming I know take all of them out so you have just the one plugged into the primary slot. Run the test and swap with the other sticks until all is tested individually. Don't forget to turn off and unplug your computer before removing/replacing any components.

 

It is suggested that you run the test for at least 7 Passes. You can run it longer or shorter if you wish but note any errors it states on the information it gives you onscreen.I recommend you run memtest for at least 2-3 hours.If you do get errors, that means that the stick you have currently is incompatible or faulty or it may only a dirty slot or contact on the module/motherboard. If you don't get any errors, put all your RAM sticks back into its slots if you removed them all but one and run the test a final time and observe any errors.

 

There is also menus,information and items you can change inside the program.Fiddle if you want to,but don't ask me what they do and I do not know how to rest any data in the software.I only use the basic setup,why?As I am not fully used to the program and would not want to create an issue were there proberly is not one to start with.

 

Memtest CD:

 

Download the ISO current version (memtest86+-1.70.iso.zip) to your PC.

 

Extract the .zip file to a location that you know, like the Desktop or Downloads folder or next to the .zip file. You should end up with the file Memtest86+-1.70.iso

 

"Note" If you have WinRAR (or similar) installed, it will look like an unzippable archive with nothing inside. Do not open it with WinRAR.

 

Go to your favorite CD burning software, and choose to burn from an image file. Simply point to the memtest.iso file and hit the burn button.

 

Example: Nero>Disk Image or Saved Project>[select the memtest iso file]Ok>Next etc.But you can use the software you have already installed if it is compatable.

 

Insert a blank CD into the drive and let it do its magic.

 

Yeay,you have a memtest bootable CD. Simply leave the CD in the drive and boot from CD by pressing a key then running the test.You may need to enter BIOS/Setup via relevent key on your computer and set first boot device.

 

How to set first boot device in BIOS/Setup:

 

Restart the computer/laptop and on the post screen(black screen white words) It should say "To enter setup press ?" this could be F1,F2 or Del key or another,please refer to your machines manual or manufacturers website.Once in BIOS locate boot order tab and set first boot device to either USB,CD,Floppy and save and exit.

 

Bootable Floppy Disk:

 

Download the package current version (memtest86+-1.70.floppy.zip) to your PC.

 

Extract the zipped file to a location that you know, like the desktop or folder etc. You should end up with a folder named floppy.

 

Go into the folder and double click on the install.bat.

 

A command window will pop up asking you for a location of your disk drive. Insert a blank floppy disk into the floppy drive, then enter the letter of the drive (usually the letter a) then follow the prompts.

After it creates the floppy, simply boot your PC with the disk still in the drive and run the test as advised.

 

After you've set the test, grab some coffee and a magazine or go watch tv or play XBOX360,etc. It will take a while.

 

Problems FAQ

 

Q: I put the CD/Floppy disk in and rebooted my PC and it still didn't run.

 

A: You may need to select the boot device by pressing a special key or change the boot order of your PC by entering BIOS/Setup. While your PC is starting up, there is a button you have to press to enter it. You can find it by looking for "Press .... to enter SETUP". Most comonly the DEL key or F2, then looking for "Boot devices" or "Boot order" or similar, then following the onscreen prompts to change them.

 

Q: I have no floppy drive..

 

A: Use the CD version.

 

Q: What if i want to run the test overnight?

 

A: Go ahead. If you have the patience..

 

Q: Is this test entirely 100% accurate?

 

A: Yes and No. I would actualy treat these tests as more of a guideline, since there are other factors that can play into having hardware/RAM trouble. Most common example would be mixed and matched RAM, where both test out OK but when put together won't let your system boot etc. (although there are cases that mixed RAM works fine on most people's system - but that's motherboard dependant.) Some others are under-powered systems etc.

 

If you want a second opinion, there are other memory diagnostic programs out there, and one built into Vista type in the search bar memory and click on Memory Diagnostic Utility. Follow the instructions and reboot.

 

Q: Test comes out OK but Windows OS is still giving me errors?

 

A: You can try another new set of RAM if you wish (as per comment above), but you should now be focusing on finding out if it is a windows problem (since this test runs pre-windows boot) or other hardware related problem. I suggest striping your PC to its barebones components where possible then start troubleshoot from there.

 

Bare bones basicaly means you power off the computer and remove all the RAM,disconnect CD/DVD rom drives,floppy drives,card readers,hardware items not required to boot the computer,then start with 1 stick of RAM inserted in first slot nearest processor.Then reboot/restart the computer and test the system,note do you get any beep code errors as an example.Each time you connect a peice of hardware you must power off the machine and disconnect from the power socket before reconnecting any hardware into your computer.

 

The older registry backup would proberly mean you would loose some settings and software.

[Reznor]

Cheers,

 

Will try tomorrow when I have some time.

 

R

[Jelly Bean]

If you have more than one stick of RAM try one stick in then reboot see what happens.

 

Then remove that stick and test the next and see what happnes.