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Chad Koelling

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boot problems

I have a pavilion a614n that doesn't boot properly.  It goes past it's POST.  When Windows attempts to load the bar under the Windows XP icon moves across the screen about four times then the monitor goes to sleep.  There is no appearance that the computer shuts off.  I see no error messages or blue screens.  I tried swapping out the processor guessing that may be the problem, but had similar results.  My next step will be to swap out the RAM, but I was wondering if anyone may have any other ideas that I may try.
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Houssam Ballout
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had you try system restore?
I would test memory. You can run memtest86 to check your RAM, if it passes the test memory should be ok.

If it's not memory, i would start computer in safe mode and go to power option and make all power option settings to NEVER (for eg, turn off computer after 10 mins idle time to "NEVER").

if that doesn't help,

i would start in safe mode with networking and run anti spyware like spybot, malwarebytes and combofix etc.

I would also try Restoring OS to the previous restore piont.

hope this helps.
Gut feel is that it's a corrupted video driver causing the PC to stop sending images to the monitor.  this would explain the monitor going into sleep mode.  Have you booted into safe mode?  Safe mode uses a generic video driver.  If safe mode exhibits the same behavior it may be something worng with the video hardware itself.
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Chad Koelling

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okay twcguy do you think installing a pci video card and testing it that way would help?
jaynir: I am running memtest overnight I have some extra RAM at the shop so it's no biggie to even just swap it out.  I love memtest.  As for restore points, have any of you actually had one work?
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boot into safe mode, and do a system restore from there !
otherwise, try this method : http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307545
is it possible it is over heating? fan not working, dusty air intake for fan...
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Callandor
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PCI video card may help but you should first try to boot into safe mode and see if you get light on the screen.  Post your results and I can advise further.
memtest found no errors. . .booting into safe mode
safe mode does not boot all the way but the video hasn't gone out yet either.  It's like it froze while attempting to load.  I'm thinking a windows repair may be in order.
Definately.  I would start with a system restore if available, then windows repair.  If neither of those work out then I would lean toward data backup and reinstall of windows.  It's usually quicker to reinstall to OS than to go digging through it's issues to fix a problem like this.
Amen to that. . .I finished chkdsk /r and upon boot it did another disk check. . .waiting on it to load up now. . .more to follow
why don't customers give you their passwords?  Thank God for Safe Mode!
okay back to the drawing board. . .I got into windows even made it into safe mode. . .Screen just went back into sleep mode
Ok, now it's time for that other PCI video card, I assume the one that is in the machine is built into the motherboard?
This could be several things:

1. The machine has multiple video output ports. Windows has been configured to output to only one other port. Try connecting a monitor to each of them during boot.

2. Windows OS had its display driver corrupted. The display driver is one of the last things loaded in windows. You can't fix this if you can't get into safe mode, if you can try uninstalling the display driver/monitor driver. Enable VGA mode maybe?

3. The harddrive has problems. This I think you already looked into.

There are a ton of other possibilities, if you can get into safe mode you can fix this.
Okay I rebooted the machine and it hasn't went back to sleep yet. . .I think there may be some malware/viral/spyware issues though. . .I believe I am going to wipe/start from scratch with this one.
Sounds like a plan, let me know how it goes.
will keep everyone posted
Booting from a Knoppix CD will answer the question if it's software (malware, corrupt driver) or hardware.
still not sure how the whole knoppix thing is supposed to work anything out. . .Update. . .installation went fine.  Upon attempting first round of windows updates I decided to let it run as I left the office. . .when I returned the screen was black. . .Which of these is my next best option. . .replace hard drive. . .try pci card. . .delete/reinstall video drivers?
HOW?   because then you are running from another OS and with different drivers.
if that functions, you're guaranteed99% good hard; if not = bad hardware; here a link :
ftp://ftp.kernel.org/pub/dist/knoppix/KNOPPIX_V6.0.1CD-2009-02-08-EN.iso

also  note that it lets you copy data to usb drives, access the internet, and lets you also test sound...
i use it frequently
also, reinstall on bad hardware is a waste of time imo..
PCI video card is next.  I'd put money on the current video card having a hardware issue that tells the monitor to sleep prematurely.
yeah it seems to be time sensitive, but it won't wake up
Even with a different video card?
I tried instalilng the new video card assuming pci was plug and play is there something I need to disable first.  Side note; after removing the video card to access/change video settings on onboard video problem seems to have gotten worse
I am going to run another chkdsk as I am waiting.
you will likely need to go into the bios and disable to onboard video card to get the PCI card to work.
okay let me ask this question.  If I disable that and use this card, what happens if this don't work.  Will I be able to get back into bios to enable it again?
Yes you should.  The post screen should show up on all working video controllers.
okay primary video is set to pci in bios.  Plug in video card and i get same issue it starts to load windows but monitor goes to sleep
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Out for the weekend, good luck!
I always delete the partition and start from scratch when I do any installs, but I usually do a quick format.  Lemme try it with a full format.  First I am going to attempt safe mode with this new video card.  Then maybe I can install the actual drivers for that particular card (rule out drivers again).  If that doesn't work I'll try the full format again.
Couldn't stay on long enough in safe mode. . .going with plan b. . .I'll let you know how it turns out.
quick and long format are the same - the long only checks every sector.
if you want to clean the disk, you must use the overwrite with all Zero's from the diag, or use something like DBAN :    http://dban.sourceforge.net/
I started the install on Friday before I left the office.  I will not be checking it again until some time Monday.  I think the video does not cut out unless the system tries to boot into Windows which leads me to believe there may be something else going on that none of us have put our mice on yet.  Monday when I get to the office if the video is still on the monitor what could be the issue that is present after completely installing that is not present before installation is complete other than a driver?
i only see a video driver problem as possibility
You still haven't tried the Knoppix CD, which I stated would have resolved whether this was a software or hardware problem.  It works because it has its own set of working drivers, and there's no chance of malware playing a role.
Sick today will attempt more tommorrow
take care - and your pills!
i hope to see you back soon !
Video went out again.  Writing this up as mobo failure
Agreed.
where are my pills ?   :-((