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geekchic9 · 11-21-2006, 11:39 AM

I try to take good care of my computer, which dual-boots Windows and Linux. But lately, it's been acting strangely when I boot up. It's hard to describe what's going on, because every time, it's something different. One time, it looked like an old text game was being played on my screen when I first turned it on. The next time, it seemed like a letter was on the screen, text and everything, but the text was so distorted I couldn't read it. Sometimes, when I reboot, it clears itself up. Other times, it doesn't make a difference.

I'm going to try to boot into windows one more time and do a virus scan. If not, I'm going to simply wipe my Windows drive, or possibly both drives, and simply start over. But I was wondering if anyone had any other ideas.

WanderingOak · 11-21-2006, 12:12 PM

Do both OS's have this problem, or only Windows? Have you tried to book from a CD with Knoppix (for example)? If you are having problems with Linux as well as Windows, then unless there is a cross-platform virus out there, then I would say that it was a hardware problem.

geekchic9 · 11-21-2006, 12:17 PM

Linux occasionally has this problem when I start it up, but at least I can access it. I can't even access Windows anymore. It gets to the "Welcome" screen, and then it reboots. I'm not exactly sure what the problem is. It's just weird.

Edit: Right now I am scanning my Windows drive from Linux. I am also going to back up my Windows data. I don't have much data on Linux, as I recently reinstalled it for other reasons. In the meantime, I will call my boyfriend's father and tell him what's happening. This is so odd! I just ran my computer through a hardware test (Stress Linux, to be exact), and nothing came up suspicious or wrong.

tomjen · 11-21-2006, 05:22 PM

What do you mean, when you start up - before or after windows starts? Still while the BIOS is in control of things?

If the BIOS is still running to show - the error is properly in its configuration or maybe some hardware. That would be strange though, a BIOS is not that complicated mostly supposed to do nothing but proble some hardware.

Baltar · 11-21-2006, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by geekchic9

Linux occasionally has this problem when I start it up, but at least I can access it. I can't even access Windows anymore. It gets to the "Welcome" screen, and then it reboots.

If it reboots during startup like that, it's most likely a hardware issue. Could be bad RAM. Do you have the computer connected to a UPS or at least a surge protector? A power surge could've damaged the internals perhaps. One time I had a PC with a damaged motherboard and it would just reboot randomly, and I've seen bad RAM sticks do that too. I've also had buggy drivers reboot the PC, although Windows usually gives a blue screen in that case.

geekchic9 · 11-21-2006, 06:39 PM

Quote:

If it reboots during startup like that, it's most likely a hardware issue. Could be bad RAM.

I'll run the Stress Linux RAM test again when I get home from work.

Quote:

Do you have the computer connected to a UPS or at least a surge protector?

I do have the computer plugged up to a Belkin UPS, so I would be a bit surprised if the culprit turned out to be the result of a power surge.

aussieNickuss · 11-22-2006, 04:38 AM

If you are booting to windows and you hit the F8 key while the screen is still black before it goes to the windows boot screen (logo with the animated progress bar) then you will get the option of booting in Safe Mode.

When you do this, it lists each device driver its loading as it boots (which is usually hidden behind the boot logo). If at some point it freezes or reboots while displaying that list the problem usually has to do with the last shown driver (or the next in the list). If you can, write down the last driver that appears at the bottom of the screen if/when it locks up or reboots. Then google that driver name to see if you can find any problems with that particular driver.

One that I get quite frequently on different computers is agp440 (actually the driver that loads after that) which has something to do with a service that windows is trying to start. The remedy was to put in the XP install disk and go through the repair option and enter some command...cant remember what command though.

WanderingOak · 11-22-2006, 11:03 AM

Do you have two seperate internal drives, or one internal drive with multiple partitions? Does StressLinux check hard drives for bad blocks? Are you familiar with e2fsck? I am not an expert, but I believe the proper code is 'e2fsck -cc /dev/<drivename>'.

bhopkins · 11-22-2006, 02:02 PM

If it reboots right after the Windows Logo comes up then its likey the Video card or power supply. Since you state you sometimes see giberage on the screen I would start with the Video.

hth
Bruce

geekchic9 · 11-22-2006, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WanderingOak

Do you have two seperate internal drives, or one internal drive with multiple partitions?

Two hard drives.

Quote:

Does StressLinux check hard drives for bad blocks?

I'd have to check.

Quote:

Are you familiar with e2fsck? I am not an expert, but I believe the proper code is 'e2fsck -cc /dev/<drivename>'.

I will try that when I get home.

geekchic9 · 11-22-2006, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bhopkins

If it reboots right after the Windows Logo comes up then its likey the Video card or power supply.Since you state you sometimes see giberage on the screen I would start with the Video.

The video card idea sounds like a good possibility! Why didn't I think of that? The video card is an old Nvidia 4600, I believe circa 2002. I have a newer video card in my closet that my boyfriend has been promising to install. He's going to be home this weekend for Thanksgiving. I'll see if I can arrange something.

The power supply was replaced last February, so I'd be surprised if it turned out to be that.

geekchic9 · 11-23-2006, 11:01 PM

My boyfriend replaced the video card. He says that the old video card probably still works, but it wasn't seated properly in the drive. He's going to give the old card to his father to test it, just to make sure.

Thanks, everyone.

Scott · 11-24-2006, 04:17 AM

Were you able to load Windows into Safe Mode? It seems weird to me that a faulty video card would reboot once you hit the Windows logo; if that were the case, you probably shouldn't be able to get past the BIOS hardware tests. At any rate, Linux issues aside*, I think the Windows problem may be due to corrupt system files. Does it ever give you a Blue Screen of Death? If you can load safe mode, try running the System File Checker (Run: sfc /scannow). Otherwise, your best bet may be the repair utilities on your installation CD.

*If indeed the same problem is occurring in Linux, then you may need to upgrade your video drivers; either that, or tweak your configuration. It doesn't really seem like that problem is nearly as severe, though...

geekchic9 · 11-24-2006, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott

*If indeed the same problem is occurring in Linux, then you may need to upgrade your video drivers; either that, or tweak your configuration. It doesn't really seem like that problem is nearly as severe, though...

The problem started happening in Linux. My boyfriend replaced the video card with a newer one. Then, we wiped the drive (again.) Next, we reinstalled Windows (72 updates after SP2!) and the drivers for the video card, motherboard, etc. We installed Linux as well (only 12 updates). We were still having problems. Finally, my boyfriend went into CMOS and reconfigured it for the new video card. Afterward, everything worked beautifully. So, it seems that CMOS was the culprit all this time. Gah! I'm just glad that the problem is fixed, and that I don't have to buy a new computer.

11-21-2006, 11:39 AM	#1 (permalink)
geekchic9 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 270	Is it a virus? I try to take good care of my computer, which dual-boots Windows and Linux. But lately, it's been acting strangely when I boot up. It's hard to describe what's going on, because every time, it's something different. One time, it looked like an old text game was being played on my screen when I first turned it on. The next time, it seemed like a letter was on the screen, text and everything, but the text was so distorted I couldn't read it. Sometimes, when I reboot, it clears itself up. Other times, it doesn't make a difference. I'm going to try to boot into windows one more time and do a virus scan. If not, I'm going to simply wipe my Windows drive, or possibly both drives, and simply start over. But I was wondering if anyone had any other ideas.

11-21-2006, 12:17 PM	#3 (permalink)
geekchic9 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 270	Linux occasionally has this problem when I start it up, but at least I can access it. I can't even access Windows anymore. It gets to the "Welcome" screen, and then it reboots. I'm not exactly sure what the problem is. It's just weird. Edit: Right now I am scanning my Windows drive from Linux. I am also going to back up my Windows data. I don't have much data on Linux, as I recently reinstalled it for other reasons. In the meantime, I will call my boyfriend's father and tell him what's happening. This is so odd! I just ran my computer through a hardware test (Stress Linux, to be exact), and nothing came up suspicious or wrong. Last edited by geekchic9; 11-21-2006 at 12:19 PM. Reason: adding additional information.

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11-21-2006, 12:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
WanderingOak Family Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,184	Do both OS's have this problem, or only Windows? Have you tried to book from a CD with Knoppix (for example)? If you are having problems with Linux as well as Windows, then unless there is a cross-platform virus out there, then I would say that it was a hardware problem.

11-21-2006, 05:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
tomjen Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 47	What do you mean, when you start up - before or after windows starts? Still while the BIOS is in control of things? If the BIOS is still running to show - the error is properly in its configuration or maybe some hardware. That would be strange though, a BIOS is not that complicated mostly supposed to do nothing but proble some hardware.

11-22-2006, 04:38 AM	#7 (permalink)
aussieNickuss Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Ballarat, Victoria, Australia Posts: 287	If you are booting to windows and you hit the F8 key while the screen is still black before it goes to the windows boot screen (logo with the animated progress bar) then you will get the option of booting in Safe Mode. When you do this, it lists each device driver its loading as it boots (which is usually hidden behind the boot logo). If at some point it freezes or reboots while displaying that list the problem usually has to do with the last shown driver (or the next in the list). If you can, write down the last driver that appears at the bottom of the screen if/when it locks up or reboots. Then google that driver name to see if you can find any problems with that particular driver. One that I get quite frequently on different computers is agp440 (actually the driver that loads after that) which has something to do with a service that windows is trying to start. The remedy was to put in the XP install disk and go through the repair option and enter some command...cant remember what command though.

11-22-2006, 11:03 AM	#8 (permalink)
WanderingOak Family Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 1,184	Do you have two seperate internal drives, or one internal drive with multiple partitions? Does StressLinux check hard drives for bad blocks? Are you familiar with e2fsck? I am not an expert, but I believe the proper code is 'e2fsck -cc /dev/<drivename>'.

11-22-2006, 02:02 PM	#9 (permalink)
bhopkins Junior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Atlanta Posts: 22	If it reboots right after the Windows Logo comes up then its likey the Video card or power supply. Since you state you sometimes see giberage on the screen I would start with the Video. hth Bruce

11-23-2006, 11:01 PM	#12 (permalink)
geekchic9 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 270	My boyfriend replaced the video card. He says that the old video card probably still works, but it wasn't seated properly in the drive. He's going to give the old card to his father to test it, just to make sure. Thanks, everyone.

11-24-2006, 04:17 AM	#13 (permalink)
Scott Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 114	Were you able to load Windows into Safe Mode? It seems weird to me that a faulty video card would reboot once you hit the Windows logo; if that were the case, you probably shouldn't be able to get past the BIOS hardware tests. At any rate, Linux issues aside, I think the Windows problem may be due to corrupt system files. Does it ever give you a Blue Screen of Death? If you can load safe mode, try running the System File Checker (Run: sfc /scannow). Otherwise, your best bet may be the repair utilities on your installation CD. If indeed the same problem is occurring in Linux, then you may need to upgrade your video drivers; either that, or tweak your configuration. It doesn't really seem like that problem is nearly as severe, though...

Personal Development for Smart PeopleTM Forums

Personal Development for Smart People^TM Forums