Member Avatar for jmblur

my new computer decided it doesn't like to boot anymore :( Computer is a home-built gaming machine, (dual core, single ATI Radeon 4870, Asus P5Q Deluxe mobo, Vista x64 home premium) has been running fine for about 6 weeks with only minor video card driver issues. I had NOT yet overclocked the CPU, although the video card was slightly software overclocked using ATI's utility.

Anyway, I used the Vista hibernate button, then realized I forgot to check something and tried to click out of it before the computer fully hibernated. Instead of getting back into windows, it just hangs with the vid card fan spinning at what sounds like about 75% and no monitor turn on or other activity. I did a hard turn-off using the case power button and it turns off, but turning it back on gets the same result.

Left it unplugged overnight, didn't seem to help.

When I turn on the computer now, the case fans turn on, the vid card fan goes to 100% then drops to 75%, stays for 5 seconds, turns off then goes back to 100-75% the same way and hangs like that. Monitors do not turn on, keyboard gets power but doesn't fully boot (g15 screen/lights dont turn on).

Had some driver issues with the vid card last week but reinstalled drivers and it seemed to be perfectly stable. I do not have a case speaker so I'm unsure of any beeps, I'll try to scavenge one today to hook up.

I'm pretty sure what's happening is it's trying to recover from the hibernate and isn't able to. Would resetting CMOS force it to boot from scratch (granted, with a needed BIOS update)? Or is there something else I can try?

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by mechbas

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As described, a machine that will not POST after an attempted resume from hibernate is most often a hardware/firmware problem rather than something Windows can fix. is right to call this a hardware issue: hibernation stores RAM to disk and Windows resumes only after a successful POST, so start by treating it like a failed POST.

Try these steps in order to narrow the fault:

  • Power down and unplug. Press and hold the case power button for 10-15 seconds to discharge caps, then clear CMOS (use the motherboard CLR_CMOS jumper or remove the coin cell for several minutes).
  • Boot with the minimum hardware: PSU, CPU + cooler, one stick of RAM (try each slot), and video only if needed. Disconnect drives, USB devices, extra cards, front-panel headers.
  • Reseat and firmly reconnect power: 24-pin ATX, 4/8-pin CPU, and any PCIe power to the GPU. Inspect connectors and cables for melted pins or burn marks.
  • If the board has onboard video, remove the discrete GPU and try onboard output. If not, try a different spare GPU or borrow one. Variable fan behavior on a card often means the card is getting power but failing to initialize.
  • Attach a system speaker (or use a POST card) and note beep codes or motherboard LED indicators; they directly point to CPU, RAM, VGA, or boot device failures.
  • If possible, swap in a known-good PSU — many "no POST" cases are power supply faults.

If you can get a successful POST but Windows still tries to resume and fails, boot WinRE from media and disable hibernation or remove the hiberfil.sys (for example, run powercfg -h off from an elevated command prompt) before allowing a normal boot.

If none of the isolation steps work, and components are under warranty, pursue RMA or a local repair shop. Report any beep codes, motherboard LEDs, or exact behavior observed (single RAM stick results, PSU swap outcome) for more targeted diagnostics.

Member Avatar for mechbas

If you're not posting that's a hdwr. err. not sw. If you have a warranty, USE IT.

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