PC shut down when windows starts loading

Ghost416 · January 5, 2015

Hi,

I'm trying to help someone with an issue with their PC. It keeps shutting off just as it starts loading windows. We've already tried different hard drives and a different power supply.

The power supply used is a 450watt and we tested with a 250watt (using a PSU calculator website it said the recommended is 238watt).

We've tried every possible config with the RAM (single stick, dual stick, each stick in different slots).

We've tried running MemTest86+ and it showed zero errors.

Also trying to install windows on a different hard drive causes the PC too shut down as soon as it starts installing.

I'm trying to help them over Skype, and they don't have any extra equipment to swap out and test.

I'm not to sure about the exact specs, but it's an AMD AM2+ CPU and motherboard, 2x 2GB DDR2-6400.

The problem started randomly after the case was moved slightly. We've had previous issues where the PC might not POST but playing around with the RAM sticks fixed it. The Motherboard also had a problem with the 24-pin connector where it won't start the PC up at all sometimes.

I suspect it's the motherboard but was hoping there might be other things we can do as replacing anything would be a last resort (due to lack of budget).

Can anyone help with this issue?

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

January 5, 2015

It does sound like an issue caused by the motherboard however its very hard to say at this point.

When you used another hard drive to load windows from, did you use the same SATA cable to connect it to the motherboard? If so then it would be worth using another cable to see if that is causing an issue.

Assuming you are installing windows through a DVD/R drive, try using another drive with a new SATA cable.

Check all SATA cables are correctly attached to the motherboard (You should hear a click).

Ghost416 · January 6, 2015

It does sound like an issue caused by the motherboard however its very hard to say at this point.

When you used another hard drive to load windows from, did you use the same SATA cable to connect it to the motherboard? If so then it would be worth using another cable to see if that is causing an issue.

Assuming you are installing windows through a DVD/R drive, try using another drive with a new SATA cable.

Check all SATA cables are correctly attached to the motherboard (You should hear a click).

Thanks for the reply. We tried different SATA ports and cables, as well as a PATA hard drive and the exact same thing happens.

A little more info on the situation. The PC was rebuilt and cleaned in an attempt to fix the issue, new thermal paste as well. The PC does not get warm so I don't think it's an overheating issue.