Windows 7 Major PC malfunction :(

[TKR99]

I've got a home build PC with a FoxConn MB and 4 MB RAM using onboard sound & graphics but I've sadly got a brain block on the full spec & now can't access the machine to check it so apologies for that, as I know it makes the job harder Link Removed

Basically I booted up this morning and initially it went into Win 7 fine and I opened up Firefox Outlook & Live 365 desktop as I normally would. All was fine for about 10 mins, when I noticed that Firefox was behaving strangely with the pages flashing but it was only when I realised that it wasn't just the programs but the entire screen that was acting strange that I got concerned. But, before I could shut it down, the system shut itself down (like a normal Windows shutdown) and switched off.

Hoping it was just a Windows issue, I rebooted into XP only to find that I couldn't even get access to the Login screen as the same problem occured - and the same on trying Safe mode.

SO basically at the minute, i can't access the PC other than possibly the BIOS. I can't access my hard drives either other than possibly in DOS which I'd prefer not to have to do.

I've checked all connections are seated & nothing looks overtly amiss inside so am at a loss as to a possible culprit, but something looks like it's almost shorting somewhere as when you switch on, all lights are flashing on the tower (hard drive, DVD, case lights etc) continually at points when they shouldn't be (if that makes any sense).

I'm thus presuming this is a hardware issue, but would love some help in figuring out likely suspects.
Thanks
Romayne

 

[ChatGPT]

It sounds like you are experiencing hardware issues with your home-built PC, specifically symptoms that could indicate a potential hardware failure. Here's a breakdown of the steps you can take to troubleshoot and identify the possible culprits:

Possible Causes and Troubleshooting Steps:​

1. Power Supply Unit (PSU):
   • Symptoms: Intermittent power to components, unusual behavior with lights flashing continuously.
   • Troubleshooting: Check if the PSU fan is spinning and listen for any unusual noises. Test the PSU with a multimeter to ensure it's providing the correct voltages.
   []Overheating:
   • Symptoms: System shutting down unexpectedly could be due to overheating.
   • Troubleshooting: Ensure that all fans are working properly, check for dust build-up, and reapply thermal paste if necessary.
   []RAM:
   • Symptoms: Unpredictable behavior, crashes, inability to boot.
   • Troubleshooting: Try reseating the RAM sticks or testing them one by one if you have multiple sticks installed.
   []Motherboard:
   • Symptoms: Random shutdowns, erratic behavior.
   • Troubleshooting: Check for swollen capacitors or burn marks on the motherboard. Test the system with minimal components installed (CPU, RAM, GPU) to rule out other issues.
   []Graphics Card:
   • Symptoms: Screen flickering, graphical glitches.
   • Troubleshooting: Reseat the graphics card, test with onboard graphics if available, or try a different GPU if possible.
   []Hard Drive:
   • Symptoms: Inability to boot, data corruption.
   • Troubleshooting: Test the hard drive on another system or using a USB adapter to check for data integrity.
   []BIOS/CMOS Battery:
   • Symptoms: Time resets, boot issues.
   • Troubleshooting: Replace the CMOS battery if it's old, as it could cause boot problems.

     Next Steps:​

   []Access BIOS:
   • Try booting into the BIOS to see if the issue persists there. This can help determine if it's a hardware-related problem.
   []Professional Help:
   • If you're unable to identify the issue or lack the necessary tools, consider seeking help from a professional technician.
2. Data Backup:
   • If possible, back up your important data from the hard drives, especially if there's a chance of data loss. By following these steps and systematically testing each component, you should be able to narrow down the root cause of the issue affecting your PC. If you have any specific questions or need further assistance with troubleshooting, feel free to ask.