Weird problem (Computer freezes on boot screen)

[Flava0ne]

I recently had to RMA my motherboard because I was constantly getting BSOD's. Prior to that, I RMA'ed my CPU because I thought that it was originally the cause for the BSOD's and Intel even sent me a brand new replacement.

So after getting those two components replaced, I freshly installed Windows. But right after installing the latest nVidia drivers for my video cards, after restart, my computer just freezes up on the Windows boot screen. When that happened I thought that one of my video cards might have went bad. With only one of my video cards installed, I re-installed Windows, followed up with the nVidia drivers, but again my computer freezes up on the Windows boot screen. Tried the exact same thing with my other video card, but same results.

I then RMA'ed both of my video cards and MSI even sent me brand new (I think they were anyways because it still had the protective film stuck on the Twin Frozr III heatsinks but not in retail packaging) replacements. But even now, with the replacement video cards, my computer still freezes up on the Windows boot screen right after installing the nVidia drivers.

The only components that I haven't RMA'ed is both of my memory kits and my RevoDrive. I just finished running Memtest86+ for approximately 24 hours, which no errors were found. Now, I really have no idea what the problem could be. Even tried fully resetting my CMOS, by making sure my computer was completely powered down, pressing the CMOS reset button and then removing the motherboard battery for 10 minutes.

Any inputs or suggestions that could help me resolve this issue would be greatly appreciated.

Also, I've left all the settings to stock default and didn't overclock anything ever since I received my replacements.

 

[erocker]

Have you run tests on your HDD's?

 

[Frick]

You have another PSU around you can try? That and the HDD's are the only thing left to check it seems.

 

[Flava0ne]

Only HDD I have is external.

Don't have another PSU. But I try to get it RMA'ed for a replacement. Can't afford to buy a brand new one right now.

 

[erocker]

Only HDD I have is external.

How is it connected to your computer? If you're using a esata port, sounds like it could be a driver issue.

 

[Yo_Wattup]

Cables.

 

[Dippyskoodlez]

Sounds like its something how you have your hard drive configured, or the drive (possibly compatability issues).

 

[Flava0ne]

How is it connected to your computer? If you're using a esata port, sounds like it could be a driver issue.

It's connected with a USB cable. Also, I don't install Windows on it, it's specifically only used as storage for my files. I install Windows on my OCZ RevoDrive 3 X2 240GB SSD.

On another note, I installed Windows on a spare HDD, which was connected internally through one of my SATA ports, that I had laying around to see if the issue would come up, and the same thing happens after installing the nVidia drivers.

So I guess that rules out my external HDD, spare HDD, RevoDrive SSD and leaves my power supply the only thing left. I've gone ahead and sent my PSU back to Corsair for an RMA and should receive the replacement by some time next week. I'm really crossing my fingers and hope this finally resolves this issue, because with my luck lately.

 

[Flava0ne]

So I got my power supply replacement in and after formatting my system, I tried to install the nVidia drivers and the same thing, freezes up on the Windows boot screen after restart. I was able to install every other driver for my system and even every other program which doesn't use DirectX or OpenGL that I use on a regular basis including Photoshop.

I also tried older nVidia drivers as old as v285.62 and the same thing happens. Could it be my memory, even though they passed Memtest86+ with no errors running for 24 hours? Because my memory is the only thing left that I haven't replaced.

 

[francis511]

I would have guessed psu

 

[Aquinus]

How large is your PSU and how does your rig work with just one of your GTX 580s?

 

[Flava0ne]

How large is your PSU and how does your rig work with just one of your GTX 580s?

My PSU is 1200-Watts and I already tried with only one of my GTX 580's installed, which I mentioned in my first post. I'm really stumped at what the issue could be, right now everything works, even Photoshop, except I can't use the native resolution of my display and can't enable any of the Aero desktops.

 

[the54thvoid]

Hey mate, I feel for you, that all sucks.

It seems you have tried everything. There are a couple of things it could be.

1) Your cards were not replaced (despite the shiny film) and are both borked - highly unlikely (have a friend with a spare gpu?). Also, are you sure your mobo was replaced? Sometimes an RMA sends back the same product.

2) PCI-e slot is faulty. Try one card at a time in the other x16 slot.

3) Try one memory stick only in one DIMM slot.

I would try option (2) first. Then (3).

If this only happens with the Nvidia install. If you get a hold of an AMD card and try that - that will surely identify if it's gfx card/driver or not.

 

[Jstn7477]

Will Windows boot in Safe Mode or does it hang? I ask this as it could probably help determine whether Windows is getting borked or if the drivers are hanging up the system at boot.

 

[RuskiSnajper]

it's probably the memory or PSU

You've RMAed the wrong things.

No idea why would you hassle with a RMA if you didn't found thats the problem, i do not know for USA, but seems like they don't even TEST and just

This does not work like that in my country, RMA is done by the seller, and the seller tests as well. There are importers and distributors, little companies operate here, for example, microsoft does, but they don't manage hardware to consumers nor support, they only have service for windows and IT help for companies.

Was trying to get a hold of Microsoft in here why they don't sell Microsoft Sidewinder keyboards in local language, he told me they don't even operate, so I had to get a stickers from the seller to block/replace the german text off my keys, problem is, that disables the red leds from being visible... ah

Thankully the german keyboard layout is very similar, identical in buttons except a few letters are mixed. I wasn't happy at the moment, it took me weeks to get a used feel to it and the "STRG", "EINF" "Rollen" ... I have no idea how can "delete" translate to "einf"

 

[Laurijan]

I too think its the PCI-E slot - PSU wouldnt make bluescreens always at Nvidia driver install and memory is tested 24h so its ok.

 

[Flava0ne]

Hey mate, I feel for you, that all sucks.

It seems you have tried everything. There are a couple of things it could be.

1) Your cards were not replaced (despite the shiny film) and are both borked - highly unlikely (have a friend with a spare gpu?). Also, are you sure your mobo was replaced? Sometimes an RMA sends back the same product.

2) PCI-e slot is faulty. Try one card at a time in the other x16 slot.

3) Try one memory stick only in one DIMM slot.

I would try option (2) first. Then (3).

If this only happens with the Nvidia install. If you get a hold of an AMD card and try that - that will surely identify if it's gfx card/driver or not.

My motherboard that I RMA'ed has a different serial number than what I had when I first purchased it, same with my video cards, so either they slapped on a new serial number sticker on the same components or they totally replaced them.

I'll try out what you suggested, with option 2 first and post back.

I could ask to borrow my friend's GTX 480 to help me rule out if the issue is truly my GPU's or not if option 2 doesn't work and then try out option 3.

Will Windows boot in Safe Mode or does it hang? I ask this as it could probably help determine whether Windows is getting borked or if the drivers are hanging up the system at boot.

I am able to boot into Safe Mode, that's how I was able to get into System Restore and go back to prior the nVidia drivers installation.

 

[the54thvoid]

I googled your problem and it seems pretty 'common'. Obviously a rare issue but it seems to be universally a compatibility issue. The things most folk blame (where hardware isn't at fault) is Display drivers working poorly with certain OS situations (such as service packs etc).

When did you install the Win 7 service pack? Can you try installing vga drivers with and without it?

 

[Laurijan]

Your mobo has plenty of PCI-e slots - try to install 1 GPU in a different slot

 

[Flava0ne]

I googled your problem and it seems pretty 'common'. Obviously a rare issue but it seems to be universally a compatibility issue. The things most folk blame (where hardware isn't at fault) is Display drivers working poorly with certain OS situations (such as service packs etc).

When did you install the Win 7 service pack? Can you try installing vga drivers with and without it?

My Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit came with SP1 already in it. But I never had any issues at all when I first built my rig early this year. All of this started happening recently approx 2 months ago.

 

[qubit]

@Flava0ne

This sounds like a memory issue. The fact that it passed memtest, unfortunately means nothing. The only thing you can say is this:

Passes memtest: maybe ok. Only maybe
Fails memtest: definite fault

How do I know this? I have an old Abit AN8 Utra mobo (uber high end AMD socket 939 board in its day). It ran fine with 4 x 512MB DDR1 sticks in it and overclocked hard, too. Put 4 x 1GB and it would boot fine, but keep locking up hard in Windows (any version) even with all settings at stock and even a little lower. Sometimes it would take 10 minutes, sometimes almost immediately, but always a lockup. Tried the old RAM again and it was ok. Infuriating.

Tried memtest with the new RAM and it was 100% fine it. Beautiful. Yet, it was indeed a memory problem. You know what fixed it? Setting the "memory drive" BIOS setting to "weak", plus setting the memory timings manually, according to the SPD (all sticks same type) instead of Auto. Both of these things had to be done for it to be stable and now it's 100% stable. Weird, huh? It still doesn't like to overclock much with these sticks, but that doesn't matter for a server PC. More RAM is much more important.

So, moral of the story is: don't trust memtest. Just use it to get a feel for the hardware.

I recommend running it with just one stick and see how it goes. Keep trying different sticks in different slots. If no joy, then try other memory sticks off a friend. And yes, in the end it could all boil down to the motherboard being faulty . Don't be afraid to play with the memory settings and make sure you have the latest BIOS in it. Good luck.

 

[Flava0ne]

@Flava0ne

This sounds like a memory issue. The fact that it passed memtest, unfortunately means nothing. The only thing you can say is this:

Passes memtest: maybe ok. Only maybe
Fails memtest: definite fault

How do I know this? I have an old Abit AN8 Utra mobo (uber high end AMD socket 939 board in its day). It ran fine with 4 x 512MB DDR1 sticks in it and overclocked hard, too. Put 4 x 1GB and it would boot fine, but keep locking up hard in Windows (any version) even with all settings at stock and even a little lower. Sometimes it would take 10 minutes, sometimes almost immediately, but always a lockup. Tried the old RAM again and it was ok. Infuriating.

Tried memtest with the new RAM and it was 100% fine it. Beautiful. Yet, it was indeed a memory problem. You know what fixed it? Setting the "memory drive" BIOS setting to "weak", plus setting the memory timings manually, according to the SPD (all sticks same type) instead of Auto. Both of these things had to be done for it to be stable and now it's 100% stable. Weird, huh? It still doesn't like to overclock much with these sticks, but that doesn't matter for a server PC. More RAM is much more important.

So, moral of the story is: don't trust memtest. Just use it to get a feel for the hardware.

I recommend running it with just one stick and see how it goes. Keep trying different sticks in different slots. If no joy, then try other memory sticks off a friend. And yes, in the end it could all boil down to the motherboard being faulty . Don't be afraid to play with the memory settings and make sure you have the latest BIOS in it. Good luck.

By testing my memory 1 stick at a time, do you mean by installing the nVidia drivers first, shutting off my system, then trying out each stick of RAM and see if I get passed the Windows boot screen and successfully log on to Windows?

 

[Laurijan]

By testing my memory 1 stick at a time, do you mean by installing the nVidia drivers first, shutting off my system, then trying out each stick of RAM and see if I get passed the Windows boot screen and successfully log on to Windows?

No need to install Nvidia drivers for memtest - memtest works outside of Windows so drivers dont affect it.

 

[the54thvoid]

By testing my memory 1 stick at a time, do you mean by installing the nVidia drivers first, shutting off my system, then trying out each stick of RAM and see if I get passed the Windows boot screen and successfully log on to Windows?

If the memory is the issue, I would install vga drivers with one stick in. Some BSOD's can be caused by a hardware change. Best to have no vga driver, stick in one memory stick, install driver, boot into OS. If fails, uninstall vga driver, try next stick (on own), install vga driver, boot into OS etc.

 

[Flava0ne]

If the memory is the issue, I would install vga drivers with one stick in. Some BSOD's can be caused by a hardware change. Best to have no vga driver, stick in one memory stick, install driver, boot into OS. If fails, uninstall vga driver, try next stick (on own), install vga driver, boot into OS etc.

Cool, thanks for clarifying that!

The memory seems to be the most reasonable explanation to me ATM.