Windows vista start up freeze

[NoNothing]

Hello, Im having problems with my windows on start up, let me explain everything first, around a month ago I bought a new graphics card without doing reasearch on if my psu could handle it etc, the video card is ati raedon 4670, so after two weeks of having card running it began to freeze on the windows start up (when the green bar is loading), so then I began to look into the problem, turns out my psu was 250W while I required 400W for the card, so I bought a new psu that is 500W, and still same problem, I did restore to original factory condition and it worked! Well only momentarily, around after two days of using it same problem occured, I also noticed that when i left the windows idle for a while it would restart by itself and when it started back up it would freeze on start up, so if i tried to turn on again, same thing, so I left pc alone for a while came back and it would start, no freeze on windows, however this cept happening and now I'm back at where I started, freezes on windows start up, won't start up even if I leave it alone for a while, I've checked all the bios settings etc, reset to default, system repair, everything , and still won't start up, I've talked to some people, currently there is 3 solutions at the moment, 1) swap old motherboard for a new one, 2) replace fans considering that it felt pretty warm with new psu and the fans are around three years old, 3) upgrade my windows meaning switch from my current windows vista home premium to windows 7 home premium, 3 different people had this problem and this is what solved it for them, I need help and feel free to suggest solutions and thank you for helping. My desktop is a dual core E2220 with ddr2 memory and 500gb harddrive, sorry I don't know what motherboard I have but I will look for it. One thing I do know is that it has a built in NVIDIA GeForce 7100 Edited December 24, 2009 by NoNothing

[KenB]

Hi NoNothing,

 

The specs for your card imply that, at full load, it requires no more than 75W so your 500W PSU should be more than ample.

 

If your old card is still available try putting this back in and see if you still get the same problem.

 

Also - try booting in Safe Mode and see if you can boot up.

Constantly tap f8 (about once per second ) after switching on.

From the options available select "Safe Mode"

 

I doubt that changing the OS will solve this. If you have reinstalled Vista you have a "clean" OS.

 

It could possibly be related to the Motherboard. If you can boot up in Safe Mode or with the old card this will take this option out of the equation.

[NoNothing]

To KenB I've tried to run in safe mode and it still freezes, as for graphics card, same thing, however the graphics card is built in to mother board.

So it's the motherboard? And thank you this is really helpful

Edited December 24, 2009 by NoNothing

[KenB]

If it will not boot up in Safe Mode and you have tried the new and the old Video Card - and you have reinstalled Vista I am inclined to think that you have a problem with the motherboard.

 

Do you get any POST beeps on startup ? One is normal - anything else you need to report the pattern - e.g. 1 long 2 short.

 

Just out of curiosity - try taking the RAM modules out and try them one at at a time.

[KenB]

One more thought - did you take the new card out when you tried the onboard video ?

[NoNothing]

Yes I have already done all of that, taken ram out etc and no beeping noises on start up or blue screen, however I was told by my bro that the blue screen happened once, but since then no blue screen

[NoNothing]

Hey found out my motherboard is MCP73M01H1 with integrated NVIDIA 7100 graphics.

[Tootech]

Hi,

 

Another point that occurred to me - did you uninstall the onboard video card drivers before installing the new ATI card?

 

If not do it before trying anything else, it is really important.

[NoNothing]

No I haven't, however I can't even get in so that means I would have to do system reboot, but I will try it

[NoNothing]

hey thx for the info but i cant even get in safe mode to run the system that reboots your computer, so i guess the last resort is a new motherboard... dam this sucks next time ill be more cautious about what i put in my computer and will do my research, ill probably get it tommorow on sunday and i will post results if this made a difference

[KenB]

Hi,

 

If you are replacing the motherboard and you don't get exactly the same one, there is a distinct possibility that Windows will not boot up.

The reason being that Windows is "clever" enough to know that it is in a different environment and assumes a different location. Hence it refuses to boot.

The solution is a repair install of the operating system in XP - but with Vista There isn't exactly the same facility.

I hope you get this in time before you buy :)

Edited December 27, 2009 by KenB

[RandyL]

Good point Ken. And if it's a new mobo then an OEM restore disk likely won't work at all. Also Microsoft considers a new mobo a new computer so you might have to jump through a few hoops to revalidate it.

[NoNothing]

lol sorry i did not get your messages in time and i nought the new mobo, when i started it said windows configuration error, something if this problem isnt resolved then windows will not work properly and then at end (Code Purple).

 

i looked up code purple and it has to do with the original manufacturer bs that prevents piracy crap on your computer and if i take it to some technician place they can correct the problem and get your stuff running properly but for a fee obviously some say they found a solution for this etc but can anyone help?

[KenB]

If you have the original Vista DVD you could try an Upgrade Install.

See here:

John Barnett's Windows Vista Support: Repair A Vista Installation Using The Upgrade Option Of The Vista DVD

One problem - if you have SP1 / SP2 and the DVD does not this will not be an option as it will notlet you "upgrade" to a newer OS.

[NoNothing]

No I don't have the vista cd, when I got the computer it came like that with windows installed and I believe 3 recovery disks. However I heard that hp lost a law suit because of this. Also I have tried recovery disks but no go, Ima call the company and tell them to fix since I still have warranty.

[KenB]

call the company and tell them to fix since I still have warranty.

This seems to be the obvious course of action - you have done all you can.

If you have anything important on the hard drive I suggest that you back this up before you send the machine away. It is possible to take the drive out and access it from another system.

Also - you may wish to replace the old m/board - I am not sure if you have invalidated your warranty by swapping them over.

 

If you need access to the data on your drive you could get something like this:

USB 2.0 to SATA/IDE Adapter Kit with Power Adapter for: Amazon.co.uk: Electronics & Photo

 

They are just plug-and-play.