#$&! you Windows 7

[kenlinliu1419]

Guys,
I need some advice on my PC that is using Windows 7 Home Edition. It's been running perfectly well for the past year when for some odd reason, during the past 1 month, it crashes whenever the computer is booted up from a cold start. It only happens during Windows loading or after a couple of minutes after loading.

I can't take it any more. It's #$%!ing me off!

I have to perform a hard reset holding down the power button for a few seconds. After re-booting, it seems to be OK for the rest of the day.

What gives? What can I check to see what is causing this?

NOTE. No new peripherals have ever been added since the day it was bought. Could it be one of the Windows updates that caused it or a new software conflict?

[triton]

is there any anti-virus loaded? anti-spam etc.

recently, there is a mini security breach in my office network apparently from email coming through yahoo mail. malware are getting smarter.

office machine comes with anti-virus, anti-spam, malware protection as well.

[kenlinliu1419]

Norton 360 has been installed from day 1, but I'll double (no triple) check it for any suspicious malware anyway.

Thanks Triton.

[triton]

if there is no new s/w and/or h/w installed. there could be a slight chance that either memory has issue or worse, hdd experiencing bad sectors. would suggest you do diagnostic test on h/w especially hdd.

[sdchew]

Probably power supply issue. When you cold boot, the power supply undergoes a spike in demand in order to fire up all the devices. The load on the PSU stabilizes after booting. That's why the soft reboot (reset) seems to cure the issue.

[triton]

ah. thanks for the power supply hint.

Probably power supply issue. When you cold boot, the power supply undergoes a spike in demand in order to fire up all the devices. The load on the PSU stabilizes after booting. That's why the soft reboot (reset) seems to cure the issue.

[seiko.citizen]

i remember my motherboard caps were bulging that caused instability issues too! if you are going to be changing out the psu, maybe do a quick visual check on the motherboard too.

if any of your caps look like this:

means not a good sign.

[kenlinliu1419]

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to see what I can do to check the PSU. Capacitors seem to be alight though.
Problem is getting worse now. Now having to boot 2 - 3 times to get it to stabilise. Now also doing it after it's been hibernating!

[TanWL]

Too me it sound like your HDD is dying. I have this problem with one of my old PC in work place also.

[seiko.citizen]

Thanks for the advice. I'm going to see what I can do to check the PSU. Capacitors seem to be alight though.
Problem is getting worse now. Now having to boot 2 - 3 times to get it to stabilise. Now also doing it after it's been hibernating!

few years back, those were the exact symptoms that i had. my problem was a dodgy psu, and subsequent bulging caps on my motherboard. that time i didnt know cheap psu was not good ended up frying my mobo. these days, i only go for proper psu to avoid the same mistake.