EggXpert

   It seems like that I'm having problem after problem trying to get my PC to work.

    No more than two days ago, the computer could not boot up succesfully from sleep mode.  Deleting the restore point fixed it and allowed me to boot up normally.  Computer ran fine for a day or so and now it just dosn't work.

    The computer is now booting up to the Vista load bar and just goes to a black screen after that and just sits there.  Booting up into Safe Mode works fine but other than that, nothing.  I've tried repairing Windows with the Windows Vista disk, the repair found no problems and I still cannot load Windows into normal mode. 

   I've had this computer for a few months now and havn't encountered this problem before.  Any ideas? :/

Where did your computer come from?

Did you buy it or did you build it.

Have you changed any hardware, memory, motherboard?

cptmac:

Where did your computer come from?

Did you buy it or did you build it.

Have you changed any hardware, memory, motherboard?

   I build the computer myself and I havnt added or removed any hardware.  The only thing that has changed is the installation of Steam and L4D.

System specs

Antec 1200 full-tower case
Asus Rampge Formula motherboard
Sapphire 4870x2 video card
Intel core 2 quad (forget the serial but is 3.0ghz model)
Tuniq120 heatsink and fan
SuperFX sound card (came with mobo)
OCZ Reaper DDR2 memory, 4gb.
Vista home premium 64bit
Silverstone 1100wt PSU

Just finished with a system restore with a restore point from yesterday and I still cannot boot up properly.  I had to boot up in safe mode to get the "restpre succesfull" message.  Still does not work. :(

Overclocking? Memory ok? Fans spinning? Temps OK?

CheapAsianGamerGuy:

Overclocking? Memory ok? Fans spinning? Temps OK?

This one isn't overlocked yet.  As far as I can tell, memory and fans are working properly.  Temps are within their normal range.  The computer was working fine through today.  I shut it down for about an hour or so and ran into all this when I tried turning it back on.  I pretty much can't get it to boot up outside of the various safe modes.  Not even the "saved settings from last successful bootup" option works

Edit:

   Currently doing another start up repair.  Aside from telling me that windows was unable to start, I don't know what else is wrong or how to fix it.  Repair finishes and asks for a restart, and I go back to a black screen after restarting. 

I'm just your average guy...but smells like a video issue.....when the OS goes to graphical mode...it carps out.

Could be that one of your games (or another user) set your video to a mode that your card or your monitor do not support.   Check your settings and reboot.

Could be your driver was replaced by one of the games....make sure you have the right driver for your card.  Maybe the one you installed originally.

 

PapaHomer:

I'm just your average guy...but smells like a video issue.....when the OS goes to graphical mode...it carps out.

Could be that one of your games (or another user) set your video to a mode that your card or your monitor do not support.   Check your settings and reboot.

Could be your driver was replaced by one of the games....make sure you have the right driver for your card.  Maybe the one you installed originally.

 

   The last games/software to be installed was Steam and Left 4 Dead.  I don't know why things would work fine for a day then decide to c**p out afterward but I'll check my Video drivers.  At this point, I'll try anything to get this fixed. :/

   I do recall seeing a VGA error on my LCD poster, I think it was VGA BIOS.  I've only gotten it once and havn't seen it for several hours now. 

just a thought,,,got another PSU you could try????also try reseating your vid card,,,

fatboyHD:

just a thought,,,got another PSU you could try????

 

   No, I don't. 

   I'm somewhat new at this, so please excuse the questions. :/

If the PSU was the problem, I wouldn't be able to boot into safe mode?

 

   I'll be checking video drivers and inspecing/reseating my video card as soon as this repair is done.  Taking longer than normal, heh, sorry.

no problem on the questions bro,, you wont know, if ya don't ask,,,,PSU could still let system post, but could be failing under load,, never worry adout asking questions,,we all need to ask 'em sometime or another,,

Drivers rolled back to 8.5, no change.  Updating to 8.11 then I'll check card connections.

Apparently I can't install drivers while in safe mode, which is the only way I can get windows to work. Doh. 

Is there a way to check if it is my PSU without having to get another?

like CAAG said,,when you get into bios, hows your temps,,,also is your memory voltage correct???

you can use a PSU tester, but unfortunately that will not show you if it's failing under load,,i have a PSU sittin on my bench right now that shows it's fine with the tester, but under load it dumps out, you don't have a bud that you could borrow a PSU from just to try it do ya??

fatboyHD:

you can use a PSU tester, but unfortunately that will not show you if it's failing under load,,i have a PSU sittin on my bench right now that shows it's fine with the tester, but under load it dumps out, you don't have a bud that you could borrow a PSU from just to try it do ya??

   None that I know of but I can always scavange around at work.  Problem is, I definitely know that none have a high output like the one I'm using so I don't know if they are big enough.  Checking bios again.

Just another shout from the Peanut Gallery...

Try changing your video settings in Safe Mode...just to see if the card /monitor will work above VGA resolution.

You should get the "will revert in 15 seconds"...so if it blanks on you, you should be able to go back

Right click on desktop....properties....settings.

Have you uninstalled steam yet? If it won't uninstall, go into MSConfig and disable it.

CPU temp
35c

MB temp
36c

NB/SB temp
40c

Memory voltage
1.952v

Taken from bios.

GmsCool:

Have you uninstalled steam yet? If it won't uninstall, go into MSConfig and disable it.

 

AFAIK, steam is gone because of the restore.  I will check again.

Checking video card settings as well. (catalyst is unavailable in safe mode)

PapaHomer:

Just another shout from the Peanut Gallery...

Try changing your video settings in Safe Mode...just to see if the card /monitor will work above VGA resolution.

You should get the "will revert in 15 seconds"...so if it blanks on you, you should be able to go back

Right click on desktop....properties....settings.

Im in vista so I'm assuming it is desktop / right click / personalize / display settings.  The only settings I see is the screen rez and nothing happens when I try to set it higher.

   Also, steam is gone, so is L4D

 

Edit:

There is also nothing located in display settings > monitor > advanced settings > adapter.  All of the VGA fields are labled as <unavailable>/