Crashes during boot

[adam_x7]

Hi everyone

 

I've been having crash problems during boot up for quite a while now - my pc would often take 9 or 10 attempts to boot up for approximately 5 months now.

 

However, now the computer does not boot at all.

 

It was suggested to me that this may be because of a hard drive fault, but the problem continues after trying a new HDD. It is a Vista 32 bit premium system, with 1GB of DDR 2 RAM. It has 2 processors the exact specifications of which I cannot remember. It is an eMachines PC and is 2 1/2 years old.

 

1 of two things happens when attempting to boot the computer

i) the "vista boot error" screen appears and asks me to start windows normally or run start up repair. Selecting either causes and immediate power loss.

ii) If the windows disk is inserted, the "Windows is loading files" bar completes, and moves onto a blinking cursor screen - after this cursor screen goes away, the system immediately loses power.

 

I now could only guess that this is a power supply problem ? Or could there be motherboard issues ?

 

Any help with this would be massively appreciated, I simply cannot afford to have the computer professionally repaired.

[Match]

So the problem Occurs at the Vista welcome screen have you tried booting into safe mode?

 

also just a check I think I know the answer but at the end of the POST screens do you get a single "Beep" or a series of long and short "Beeps" (Answer is a single "Beep" as if there was a problem the PC would shut down or stop Booting here)

[adam_x7]

Thanks for replying Match.

 

It doesn't even get as far as the vista welcome screen I'm afraid. Safe Mode produces the same results.

 

There are no beeps either.

[Match]

OK lets back up a little more

 

you press the power on button

 

any lights or fans start up?

[adam_x7]

all lights and fans come on as normal

[Plastic Nev]

OK, for Match, myself, or other helper, can you describe exactly what happens next from the lights and fans, up to the Vista boot error screen?

Also a description of what happens if you try tapping the F8/Del/ or other, key right from the start button being pressed, to go for safe mode.

[DSTM]

I would also check the Bios, to make sure your HDD MODE, is set to compatability.