Solved Windows 10 doesn't boot or freezes (been working on this for a while...)

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Thanks for clarifying and in view of what you describe it reinforces what I suggested in my reply #17 in that if you have the computer running put it in stand by for now when not in use.

Getting late here and I have an early start so calling it a day now, can you do the following for us and I will get back to you after work tomorrow.

Download then run Speccy (free) and post the resultant url for us, details here, this will provide us with information about your computer hardware + any software that you have installed that may explain the present issue/s.


To publish a Speccy profile to the Web:

In Speccy, click File, and then click Publish Snapshot.

In the Publish Snapshot dialog box, click Yes to enable Speccy to proceed.

Speccy publishes the profile and displays a second Publish Snapshot. You can open the URL in your default browser, copy it to the clipboard, or close the dialog box.

If you need to save the results as a txt file can you please edit out your Windows product key before uploading the information here.
 
Thanks for the Speccy url (y)

What we are able to see in Speccy shows a system that is in good order, software kept up to date and with plenty of free storage space on both drives, if it were not for the start up issue the computer would have a 100% clean bill of health.

What we cannot see in Speccy are certain voltages that we need, if you do need to restart the computer it would be helpful if when you do that you go into the BIOS upon restart and make a note of the following voltages if available +3.3, +5 +12V and the DRAM voltage, we can check them as best we can a couple of other ways for now, please see below;

I would suggest that you get rid of the rather useless Windows Hibernation setting, it is not only a waste of time but also known to cause issues.

To disable Hibernation:

  1. The first step is to run the command prompt as administrator. In Windows 10, you can do this by right clicking on the start menu and clicking "Command Prompt (Admin)"
  2. Type in "powercfg.exe /h off" without the quotes and press enter. If you typed it in correctly, the cursor will simply start at a new line asking for new input
  3. Now just exit out of command prompt
Download Speedfan and install it. Once it's installed, run the program and post here the information it shows. The information I want you to post is the stuff that is circled in the example picture I have attached.
If you are running on a vista machine, please go to where you installed the program and run the program as administrator.

speedfan.png

(this is a screenshot from a vista machine)
So that we have a comparison to Speedfan, download, run and grab a screenshot of HWMonitor (free).


To capture and post a screenshot;

Click on the ALT key + PRT SCR key..its on the top row..right hand side..now click on start...all programs...accessories...paint....left click in the white area ...press CTRL + V...click on file...click on save...save it to your desktop...name it something related to the screen your capturing... BE SURE TO SAVE IT AS A .JPG ...otherwise it may be to big to upload... after typing in any response you have... click on Upload a File to add the screenshot.

Screenshot instructions are provided to assist those that may read this topic but are not yet aware of the “how to”.
 
Been leaving it in stand-by mode as you recommended. Now that I'm using the rig for more than gaming, I've noticed that sometimes it'll act like an old Windows computer I had as a kid. Sometimes I'll click a program or a command or something in chrome or some other action with the mouse and it will respond (like the icon shows that its being clicked) but nothing will happen. I might try clicking another icon or trying the same one again, and it will just do the same thing. If I wait a while (about a minute or two) it will suddenly open everything I've clicked. I haven't had a computer do this in a long time. I'm going to try restarting now to give you the voltages you requested out of the BIOS. I also disabled hibernation like you recommended.
Went to restart and I couldn't remember which button to press to get into the BIOS, and it booted without going to the BIOS. I went to restart (using the restart function in the start menu) again and it didn't boot back up
 

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Couldn't get it to boot after about 15 tries, so I let it sit for a few minutes. Finally booted. Apologize for having to make a second post, I am still unable to edit. Apparently the site only gives you five minutes to edit.
DRAM = 1.585V
+12.00V = +12.109-12.144V
+5.00V = +5.208V
+3.30 = +3.328-3.344V

Other Random Voltages:
NB Voltage: 1.10V
HT Voltage: 1.215V
CPU Offset Voltage: +0mV
Vcore = +1.376V

CPU Fan 1 Speed: 1511 RPM
Chassis Fan 1 Speed: 1048-1065 RPM
CPU Temp: 36.5 C
M/B Temp: 30.0 C
 
The only voltage that looks off in the BIOS, HWMonitor and Speedfan is that of the RAM and tbh I am not convinced that that would cause problems with the computer not starting up every time, it is possible though if the BIOS has a problem with it when it is checked as part of the power on self test.

Couple of suggestions, with the exception of two, please do them one at a time rather than all at once so that you will be aware of any particular step that may have made a difference, it may take you some time as you will obviously need to use the computer and so cannot risk it not booting up every time.

Try using a wired PS/2 type keyboard instead of the USB one.

If you need to wait to be able to obtain a wired keyboard, make sure that the USB keyboard is connected to a USB 2.0 port and not the 3.0 type.

Restore the MBs default factory settings in the BIOS to clear any possible bad MB settings.

Left until last as it involves opening up the computer.

Swap the SATA cables and ports for the HDD and the SSD.

Place the GPU in the other PCI-E slot.

The above has been suggested as problems with anyone of them could be causing POST to fail.

No problems about the edit, will just have to live with it while we troubleshoot this.
 
Okay. I restored factory MOBO settings. When it went to restart after that, it didn't boot.
The USB keyboard I've been using is a wireless one and the dongle is in the USB 2.0 port on the front of the case. I don't actually own a wired keyboard. I will have to try this step last.
I then proceeded to take the case apart and moved the SSD to the SATA port labeled "1" and the HDD to "2". I also used two new SATA cables that were still in the plastic. Reconnected all the cables and booted the PC. Booted on first try. Went to restart just to see if it would, didn't boot.
I cannot actually put a GPU in the other PCIe slot as the case would not allow it. I will have to breadboard the MOBO to test this.
The BIOS on this MOBO allows for manual adjustment of the DRAM voltage. Just a thought. I wouldn't know what to put it at, but it can be done.

The rig eventually booted and I have it in stand by mode now.
I will see about getting a PS/2 keyboard today, and if that doesn't work, I'll breadboard the MOBO to test the GPU theory.
Should we try adjusting the DRAM voltage?
 
Try another USB 2.0 port on the back of the computer if you can, if even just so that we have tried everything possible.

Swapping the drives and SATA cables/ports around goes some way to ruling out them as being the cause.

Before changing anything manually, run HWM and Speedfan again, no need to upload anything but you can if you wish, what you are looking for, your RAM has a stock voltage of 1.5V and at least two of the VIN readings in both programs should be showing a voltage of around 1.5V, your DRAM voltage of 1.585V in the BIOS is not good as the voltage will only increase once the computer is put under load, the high voltage reading in the BIOS is as you can see also reported in your previous HWM and Speedfan screenshots.

The RAM voltage is not likely to be the cause of this but a voltage regulator (VRM) on the MB could be.

Breadboarding would have been my last suggestion but needs must as something appears to be tripping up the power on self test, I do have one other suggestion for you to try if you have either a spare USB thumb drive or a blank CD that you could burn Linux to.
 
So I moved the dongle to a 2.0 port on the back of the rig. Went to restart. Didn't boot. It actually powered down on its own after I let it sit in a "no boot power on" state.
Also after many failed attempts to boot, I unplugged the power for a while and plugged it back in then booted and the attached picture is what I got. This is not the normal BIOS splash screen. Had to hit F1 for it to boot.
Speedfan Voltages:
VIN1: 0.49
VIN2: 1.73
VIN3: 1.86
HWMonitor Voltages:
VIN1: 0.192
VIN4: 0.488
VIN5: 1.736
VIN6: 1.856
I'm game to try Linux, but just so you're aware I have zero experience with it. I do have a bunch of USB sticks I can use. Any preferred size?

I'm starting to look into buying another MOBO... Maybe something with a 990X or 990FX chipset. I do want to see this diagnostic process through to the end though before doing so.
 

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That screenshot suggests that you may need to replace the CMOS battery or worse case scenario the BIOS chip is bad.

Have you had to reset the time and date at all recently.

Anything over 1GB will do for a thumb drive, the downside to this is that you will need to change the boot sequence so that a USB device is first in the boot order.

Still the same high voltages in both programs, the RAM could be being auto OCd by the MB.

Get back to us regarding the time and date if you will, you don`t happen to have a spare CR2032 coin cell battery do you.
 

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I haven't noticed any issues with the clock (Which I know would suggest that the CMOS battery is dead). Date and time as of now is accurate.
I have those batteries at work, so I can get one tomorrow.
Why would the MB auto OC the RAM?
I know how to change the boot order, so no problem there. Just let me know what you'd like me to do. Like I said, no experience with Linux here.
 
TheDiagGuy said:
Date and time as of now is accurate.
Click to expand...

Was that in the BIOS or on the Windows taskbar, reason I ask explained below;

What is shown in your picture in reply #29 was once upon a time called a checksum error or in laymans terms the result of having a dead CMOS battery or BIOS chip on a MB that had no such previous issue, problem these days is that most computers are internet ready and so the time and date on the taskbar auto sets on boot.

Software that ships with a MB often has OCing tools, ASUS MBs for example will install AI suite.

It wasn't about changing the boot order that I was worried about, it was the need to restart the computer to access the BIOS.
 
Oh okay, I understand now. That was the time in the Windows taskbar. No I haven't even noticed the clock in the BIOS.
Just a side note, I'm not scared to restart this rig. I've pretty much got it down to a science. lol If it dies, it dies. I'm feeling pretty confident that the issue is the Motherboard so if I ever ran into a "will not boot ever" situation, I would replace the MOBO.
I'll pick up a battery for the CMOS today and install it when I get home.
Where on the web do I find Linux?
 
Time, date and CMOS battery info acknowledged (y)

The below is a tutorial for helping folk with trying to recover data from a failed HDD using Puppy Linux, all the steps that you will need can be found within it.

One suggestion that I would make before you try Puppy Linux itself is to just try disabling secure boot/switch to Legacy mode in the BIOS and see if that on it`s own makes any difference.

It looks like a lot of info to take in but read it through and follow it step by step and you will be fine, any questions let us know.



===================

***Required Hardware***

CD Burner (CDRW) Drive,

Blank CD,

Extra Storage Device (USB Flash Drive, External Hard Drive)

===================



1. Save these files to your Desktop/Burn Your Live CD:
2. Set your boot priority in the BIOS to CD-ROM first, Hard Drive Second

    • Start the computer/press the power button
    • Immediately start tapping the appropriate key to enter the BIOS, aka "Setup"

      (Usually shown during the "Dell" screen, or "Gateway" Screen)
    • Once in the BIOS, under Advanced BIOS Options change boot priority to:

      CD-ROM 1st, Hard Drive 2nd
    • Open your ROM drive and insert the disk
    • Press F10 to save and exit
    • Agree with "Y" to continue
    • Your computer will restart and boot from the Puppy Linux Live CD



      4 BIOSBootPriorityImage.png




3. Recover Your Data

  • Once Puppy Linux has loaded, it is actually running in your computer's Memory (RAM). You will see a fully functioning Graphical User Interface similar to what you normally call "your computer". Internet access may or may not be available depending on your machine, so it is recommended you print these instructions before beginning. Also, double clicking is not needed in Puppy. To expand, or open folders/icons, just click once. Puppy is very light on resources, so you will quickly notice it is much speedier than you are used to. This is normal. Ready? Let's get started.



    3a. Mount Drives
    • Click the Mount Icon located at the top left of your desktop.
      5 Puppy Linux Mount Icon.PNG

    • A Window will open. By default, the "drive" tab will be forward/highlighted. Click on Mount for your hard drive.
    • Assuming you only have one hard drive and/or partition, there may be only one selection to mount.
    • USB Flash Drives usually automatically mount upon boot, but click the "usbdrv" tab and make sure it is mounted.
    • If using an external hard drive for the data recovery, do this under the "drive" tab. Mount it now.

    3b. Transfer Files.
    • At the bottom left of your desktop a list of all hard drives/partitions, USB Drives, and Optical Drives are listed with a familiar looking hard drive icon.
    • Open your old hard drive i.e. sda1
    • Next, open your USB Flash Drive or External Drive. i.e. sdc or sdb1
    • If you open the wrong drive, simply X out at the top right corner of the window that opens. (Just like in Windows)
    • From your old hard drive, drag and drop whatever files/folders you wish to transfer to your USB Drive's Window.

    For The Novice: The common path to your pictures, music, video, and documents folders for XP is: Documents and Settings >> All Users (or each individual name of each user, for Vista and above C:\Users\$USERNAME\[...]. CHECK All Names!) >> Documents >> You will now see My Music, My Pictures, and My Videos.



    Remember to only click once! No double clicking! Once you drag and drop your first folder, you will notice a small menu will appear giving you the option to move or copy. Choose COPY each time you drag and drop.



    YOU ARE DONE!!! Simply click Menu >> Mouse Over Shutdown >> Reboot/Turn Off Computer. Be sure to plug your USB Drive into another working windows machine to verify all data is there and transferred without corruption. Congratulations!







    PuppyLinux528screenshot.png



For computers that have UEFI as opposed to legacy BIOS, to be able to boot from your USB device you may need to disable secure boot and change UEFI to CSM Boot, not all computers and BIOS are the same, please refer to your user manual if you have one as the following steps are only one such example.

Restart the computer, Windows 8 and 8.1 from the Start or desktop screen move your mouse pointer over the upper or lower right corner of the screen, when the Windows Charms appear click the Settings Charm, click on Power and then the Restart option.

Windows 10, Click on Start,Power and then Restart.

While the computer is re-starting,you will need to continually tap or hold down the particular key that will allow you to access the BIOS on your computer, we will use the F2 key as an example here;

After restarting the computer, when the screen goes black, press and hold down the F2 key, wait for the BIOS to load.

Select Security -> Secure Boot and then Disabled.

Select Advanced -> System Configuration and then Boot Mode.

Change UEFI Boot to CSM Boot.

Save the changes and Exit the BIOS, commonly F10.

If your computer will not boot into Windows at all, power up or restart the computer continually tap or hold down the key that will allow you to access the BIOS on your computer and then do the following;

Select Security -> Secure Boot and then Disabled.

Select Advanced -> System Configuration and then Boot Mode.

Change UEFI Boot to CSM Boot.

Save the changes and Exit the BIOS, commonly F10.
 
So the goal with puppy Linux in this instance is to boot off of the disk for Linux and see if that cures my booting issue? Also, I can't make a boot for Linux with a USB? Forgive my ignorance, but I don't quite understand what would be so different about booting into a different operating system with the expectation of curing my booting issue...
 
Correct.

Puppy uses the RAM to boot rather than booting from a HDD or SSD and what we are looking for is to see if not booting from a permanent SATA storage device makes any difference.
 
Okay cool. What about using a USB to boot for puppy Linux? The instructions just cover burning a DVD.
 
Nevermind. Didn't occur to me that the download would be an ISO. Just put what I'd be burning onto a disk onto the USB right?

Ninja Edit: D'oh. Sorry, should have read more carefully. Okay, I'll try the suggestions from prior posts before doing the Linux puppy step.
 
Would the following be what you are missing :whistle:

There are instructions on how to boot from flash drive with puppy here; http://www.pendrivelinux.com/put-lucid-puppy-on-usb-flash-drive-from-windows/

Be sure to try the suggestion from the previous reply first, the steps for disabling secure boot are also contained in the tutorial, got to head out for a while but will check back in the next couple of hrs..

phillpower2 said:
One suggestion that I would make before you try Puppy Linux itself is to just try disabling secure boot/switch to Legacy mode in the BIOS and see if that on it`s own makes any difference.
Click to expand...
 
So... from what I can tell I am already in CSM boot mode. Also found that the BIOS clock is accurate.
Did the Lupu setup. Seems to be working. Haven't had a failed boot on Linux.
Switched BIOS back to my SSD and when it exited BIOS to restart it failed to boot.
Force power down and attempt to boot immediately. No boot.
Let sit for 10 seconds. It booted.
Power down and re power on and it booted into Windows.
Power down and re power on and change to USB in BIOS again.
Boots every time.
I'm gonna leave it in the USB boot mode and let it sit power off all day and attempt to boot it tonight. If it boots off of Linux tonight, I'd say that we've nailed the problem.... Which is what exactly? My SSD? or the way the MOBO connects to the SSD? I could try mirroring my SSD onto a good HDD that I have laying around and see if that cures it...
 

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