Strange Computer Issue

[Canuck-Hater]

So today my computer is doing something unusual, Ive seen it happen before and thought the guys at memory express fixed it but it has returned. I restarted my computer today and it gets stuck at the post screen and will not boot Windows. The only way I solve this problem is by repeatedly pushing the reset button on my computer until it boots. I suspect its a hardware issue because once I get into windows I notice that my DVD drive no longer appears in the Computer window. Last time this happened I had my video card, and dvd drive replaced. I really hope I dont have to do this again. Im using Windows Vista 64 bit. My PC is only 4 months old. Any suggestions that doesnt involve lugging this rig all the way to memory express?

[ricosuave]

I would try a new power supply and making sure all the connections for cables and cards are seated tightly

[boobaloo]

This just happened to mine as well. It was an HP, so it had to go away. They replaced the motherboard under warranty and sent it back.

Mine had a blue icon in the upper left corner of the screen.......don't know what it was related to, but be happy you don't have to send it away. I was without my computer for almost 2 weeks

[GoinAllTheWay]

Is your video card an ATI card perchance?

It does sound hardware related to me. Had a somewhat similar issue and it turned out to be a rare conflict with the vid card drivers and xp.

That being said, it doesn't explain why your DVD drive dissapears. When you say you thought the guys at ME fixed it, was that when you had the DVD drive and vid card replaced?

[Jedi Ninja]

Does it beep out a pattern? This sometimes can hint as to the problem.

[Canuck-Hater]

Originally Posted by Jedi Ninja

Does it beep out a pattern? This sometimes can hint as to the problem.

Nah nothing, no beeps at all.

[Canuck-Hater]

Originally Posted by GoinAllTheWay

Is your video card an ATI card perchance?

It does sound hardware related to me. Had a somewhat similar issue and it turned out to be a rare conflict with the vid card drivers and xp.

That being said, it doesn't explain why your DVD drive dissapears. When you say you thought the guys at ME fixed it, was that when you had the DVD drive and vid card replaced?

Yes its an Radeon 4870 x2 1gb. Both were replaced actually. I still have 2 years on my IPR plan. Could be a conflict.

[llama64]

If you disconnect the DVD drive entirely, does the problem go away?

[GoinAllTheWay]

Originally Posted by Canuck-Hater

Yes its an Radeon 4870 x2 1gb. Both were replaced actually. I still have 2 years on my IPR plan. Could be a conflict.

It COULD be, yes.

If memory serves, I would make it through the POST screen and then my screen would go black. Would have to hit the reset button a few times and then finnaly it would load to windows.

As soon as I switched to an Nvidia card, it never happened again. Maybe try uninstalling your video card drivers and see if it still happens. If it stops doing that the moment you remove your current vid card drivers, you may have your answer.