Hardware failing.

Hello, I've been having issues with my computer recently. Ever since about 2 weeks ago, my computer wouldn't boot up, but only sometimes. My computer will start to boot correctly, but after I get to the "Loading Windows" screen, the screen goes completely black. The computer seems to be running, but its stuck at this black screen, unable to load the OS. When this problem started, I would just reset the computer and get the message "We apologize for the inconvenience, but Windows did not start successfully. A recent hardware or software change might have caused this." I would then boot into safe mode and just shut the computer down. After waiting a couple of hours, I would turn the computer back on and it would boot ok, and I could use it, but after restarting, or the computer going to sleep, it would freeze at a black screen again. That was with the OS Windows Vista: Home Premium 32 bit.

To fix the problem I thought I should purchase a better Hard Drive. I got a good hard drive from Western Digital for about 60 bucks, and installed Windows 7: Home Premium 64 Bit, on it since I had the disk lying around the house. All seemed well after the first boot into Windows 7, but after it fell asleep, my fears were confirmed and it froze. So, I've ruled out that it isn't my hard drive and it must be one of my hardware components failing. I noticed since that it can successfully boot into Safe Mode, it could be my graphics card because Safe Mode disables graphics card. So I tested it by disabling my Graphics Card through Device Manager, and I could actually get to my desktop, outside of Safe Mode. My graphics card is eVGA Nvidia Geforce 9800 GX2, and it came with my computer, and I made sure that is has the latest drivers. I think it might be my graphics card causing my computer to sometimes fail booting, but I am not entirely sure. I want to be sure before I invest more money into replacing expensive hardware. Also after looking at some computer help sites, they say that the symptoms my computer has could be the graphics card, but it could also be a faulty motherboard or CPU. Any ideas?

Any help will be greatly appreciated,
Mike

When this problem started, I would just reset the computer and get the message "We apologize for the inconvenience, but Windows did not start successfully. A recent hardware or software change might have caused this." I would then boot into safe mode and just shut the computer down

What was this change/upgrade that you had carried out, before the problem started?

Additionally, please check to see if the cables are firmly in place and if the removable components (HDD, GFX Card etc.) work with another computer.

You did not post the make or model of your computer or motherboard.

What I would suggest at this point, is checking the video card if it is an expansion type card, remove the video card from its slot, and re-seat the video card again making sure it is firmly and securely locked into place.

Your video card or the expansion slot contacts may be suffering from oxidation.
Doing this re-seating process will disturb this oxidation and things should return back to normal again.

If this is not the case, better advice could be offered if you please post the make and model number of your computer or motherboard.

Bruce.

When this problem started, I would just reset the computer and get the message "We apologize for the inconvenience, but Windows did not start successfully. A recent hardware or software change might have caused this." I would then boot into safe mode and just shut the computer down

What was this change/upgrade that you had carried out, before the problem started?

Additionally, please check to see if the cables are firmly in place and if the removable components (HDD, GFX Card etc.) work with another computer.

That is part of what I can't figure out. I never changed the hardware so I can't figure out what is causing that error. All my hardware is the same as when I purchased my computer.

You did not post the make or model of your computer or motherboard.

What I would suggest at this point, is checking the video card if it is an expansion type card, remove the video card from its slot, and re-seat the video card again making sure it is firmly and securely locked into place.

Your video card or the expansion slot contacts may be suffering from oxidation.
Doing this re-seating process will disturb this oxidation and things should return back to normal again.

If this is not the case, better advice could be offered if you please post the make and model number of your computer or motherboard.

Bruce.

My motherboard is eVGA NVIDIA nForce 750i SLI

Edited by gamemaster406, 10 November 2010 - 02:47 PM.

Can anyone else help me?

Look it is quite difficult to be sure about a component that causes troubles. You have to check part by part your computer so to locate the faulty item. It looks like that your graphics card starts failing but you cannot be sure unless you replace it with a spare one and check if everything runs normal.

Yeah I would try to swap a working video card in there and see if that solves the problem. Sounds like yours may be on it's way out.