Windows 11 PC will not start up even form flash drive


sorry had to go out last night. Thnaks for all the replies

To clarify yes the SSD is the windows drive and I have 2 HDD data drives. Originally the noise I could hear sounded like a HDD trying to spin up and failing rather than the clicking of a fan. Removing cleaning and replacing the RAM has cured that and now starts up and all fans spinning quietly. The computer is not connected to a speaker but I assume the beeping mention comes from the motherboard and i am not hearing anything. The monitors not responding is not because of the wrong connections as they were already connected as when it was working.

What I have done is
1. Replaced the button battery
2. I have 2 sticks of RAM so only 1 installed
3. Graphics card is removed and onboard HDMI port connected to monitor

with both single sets of RAM I would describe the behaviour as intermittent. The fans start up then after a few seconds cut out and try to restart like I had before. Put both sticks in and wont start at all. Now completely dead. Lights on the MB, but no action from fans. Seems like dead chicken?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
theferret said:
sorry had to go out last night. Thnaks for all the replies

To clarify yes the SSD is the windows drive and I have 2 HDD data drives. Originally the noise I could hear sounded like a HDD trying to spin up and failing rather than the clicking of a fan. Removing cleaning and replacing the RAM has cured that and now starts up and all fans spinning quietly. The computer is not connected to a speaker but I assume the beeping mention comes from the motherboard and i am not hearing anything. The monitors not responding is not because of the wrong connections as they were already connected as when it was working.

What I have done is
1. Replaced the button battery
2. I have 2 sticks of RAM so only 1 installed
3. Graphics card is removed and onboard HDMI port connected to monitor

with both single sets of RAM I would describe the behaviour as intermittent. The fans start up then after a few seconds cut out and try to restart like I had before. Put both sticks in and wont start at all. Now completely dead. Lights on the MB, but no action from fans. Seems like dead chicken?
Click to expand...
@theferret

1) will the computer start at all even with ZERO RAM sticks installed in it --you should at least be able to get MOBO Bios boot messages.

2) sometimes there's a tiny led in the power supply connections - if not connected the power supply won't operate properly so the CPU won't get any power.

3) Are the USB and SATA MOBO connections done properly - a bent / broken pin will caise problems.

4) If the MOBO has "On board graphics" and you've removed the optional extra graphics card have you ensured that the onboard graphics is enabled (unless it defaults when there's no extra GPU).

5) ensure that the onboard graphics supports HDMI from the BIOS -- if not connect a VGA type of terminal to the VGA connector. If HDMI IS supported then ensure the cable is OK.

6) ensure the processor (CPU) is proberly seated and heat-sinked plus wired up properly e.g fans etc.

If you can get some sort of message from the BIOS then it should be possible to fix the machine - always start with minimal components installed - even ZERO RAM - just the PSU, onboard graphics and the processor.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows XP,11 Linux Fedora Rawhide pre-release 45
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    2 X Intel i7
    Screen Resolution
    4KUHD X 2
theferret said:
sorry had to go out last night. Thnaks for all the replies

To clarify yes the SSD is the windows drive and I have 2 HDD data drives. Originally the noise I could hear sounded like a HDD trying to spin up and failing rather than the clicking of a fan. Removing cleaning and replacing the RAM has cured that and now starts up and all fans spinning quietly. The computer is not connected to a speaker but I assume the beeping mention comes from the motherboard and i am not hearing anything. The monitors not responding is not because of the wrong connections as they were already connected as when it was working.

What I have done is
1. Replaced the button battery
2. I have 2 sticks of RAM so only 1 installed
3. Graphics card is removed and onboard HDMI port connected to monitor

with both single sets of RAM I would describe the behaviour as intermittent. The fans start up then after a few seconds cut out and try to restart like I had before. Put both sticks in and wont start at all. Now completely dead. Lights on the MB, but no action from fans. Seems like dead chicken?
Click to expand...

Might just be the power supply These have a habit of failing, sometimes without warning.
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Home 24H2 RP
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self-build
    CPU
    Intel I3-10100
    Motherboard
    MSI H410M-PRO
    Memory
    16 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia GT 1030
    Sound Card
    Motherboard default
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 27 inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung EVO 970 NVMe SSD 256 Gb
    Samsung QVO 870 SATA SSD 2 Tb
    PSU
    ATX 450W
    Keyboard
    Logitech
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Internet Speed
    930 Mb down / 120 Mb up
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
    Other Info
    Microsoft Office 2021 Plus
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Home
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Self-build
    CPU
    Intel i3-8100
    Motherboard
    Gigabyte Z370 D3
    Memory
    16 Gb
    Graphics card(s)
    Nvidia GT 720
    Sound Card
    Motherboard default
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Philips 27-inch
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 960 NVMe SSD 256 Gb
    Seagate 2 Tb HDD
    PSU
    ATX 450W
    Keyboard
    Microsoft
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless
    Internet Speed
    930 Mb down / 120 Mb up
    Browser
    Edge
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
RFS said:
Might just be the power supply These have a habit of failing, sometimes without warning.
Click to expand...
But if the PSU is dead there wouldn't be any lights on the Mobo. PSU's are quite robust - they don't fail very often unless heavily overloaded.

I'd suggest though look CAREFULLY at the PSU connections, and then try and reboot the computer with NO PERIPHERALS (including RAM sticks, and extra GPU) and no Nvme / SSD disks attached - so just a monitor / keyboard and see if fans start and you get any sort of message from BIOS -- note - you could even start without a keyboard too just to see if any messages appear -- then if they do - start with the keyboard and insert peripherals one at a time and reboot each time until you arrive at one that renders the machine dead. I'd leave the internal disks UNTIL LAST !!!!!!!!


Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows XP,11 Linux Fedora Rawhide pre-release 45
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    2 X Intel i7
    Screen Resolution
    4KUHD X 2
jimbo45 said:
@theferret

1) will the computer start at all even with ZERO RAM sticks installed in it --you should at least be able to get MOBO Bios boot messages.

2) sometimes there's a tiny led in the power supply connections - if not connected the power supply won't operate properly so the CPU won't get any power.

3) Are the USB and SATA MOBO connections done properly - a bent / broken pin will caise problems.

4) If the MOBO has "On board graphics" and you've removed the optional extra graphics card have you ensured that the onboard graphics is enabled (unless it defaults when there's no extra GPU).

5) ensure that the onboard graphics supports HDMI from the BIOS -- if not connect a VGA type of terminal to the VGA connector. If HDMI IS supported then ensure the cable is OK.

6) ensure the processor (CPU) is proberly seated and heat-sinked plus wired up properly e.g fans etc.

If you can get some sort of message from the BIOS then it should be possible to fix the machine - always start with minimal components installed - even ZERO RAM - just the PSU, onboard graphics and the processor.

Cheers
jimbo
Click to expand...
So how to i enable the onboard graphics if I can get into the BIOS? Seems a catch 22. i haven't touched the SATA or CPU so no reason to think the connections will be an issue? Seems without knowing if the onboard graphics is enable i need to stick the graphics card back in and try to boot with no RAM?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
theferret said:
So how to i enable the onboard graphics if I can get into the BIOS? Seems a catch 22. i haven't touched the SATA or CPU so no reason to think the connections will be an issue? Seems without knowing if the onboard graphics is enable i need to stick the graphics card back in and try to boot with no RAM?
Click to expand...
On some Mobos there's some "microswitches" to manually set it. However if you do replace the GPU card ensure that it is correctly mounted and also heat-sinked.

Some GPU's can get very hot - and they are much more likely to fail than the PSU. !!! Still though try with ZERO RAM installed -- and if you get any response or output just insert ONE stick of RAM at a time and re-boot.

Cheers
jimbo
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows XP,11 Linux Fedora Rawhide pre-release 45
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    CPU
    2 X Intel i7
    Screen Resolution
    4KUHD X 2
theferret said:
So how to i enable the onboard graphics if I can get into the BIOS?
Click to expand...

You don’t. Unless it’s miraculously set to detect and not off like most MB’s

theferret said:
What I have done is
1. Replaced the button battery
Click to expand...

When you replaced the battery, did you pop out the old one and put the new one in straight away? If so, the battery needs to be off the motherboard for at min a minute
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8524
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built 2013
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard thingy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    5 x LG 25MS500-B - 1 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Touch Screen Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    Too many to list.
    OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech: G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / Mx Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    2000/500Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
    TP-Link BE9300 WiFi 7 Bluetooth 5.4 (Archer TBE550E)
    TP-Link TX201 V1 2.5GB Lan

    Grandstream HT812 - VoIP
    ASUS DSL-AX82U - Mesh
    ASUS RT-AC68U - Mesh
    ASUS RT-BE88U Router

    Brother MFC-L2880DW Printer

    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8524
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7 14IRL8 - 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Antivirus
    Defender / Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
So replaced the graphics card, took out the ram. When I press the power there is a brief spin of the fan then dies. I have lights on MOBO. Took graphics card out, removed power cable, held power button for 30 sec, restart produces absolutely zero
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
theferret said:
So replaced the graphics card, took out the ram. When I press the power there is a brief spin of the fan then dies. I have lights on MOBO. Took graphics card out, removed power cable, held power button for 30 sec, restart produces absolutely zero
Click to expand...

This is just my opinion, but you’re almost at the point where diagnostics might cost you money (New PSU etc)
If you’re willing to get a new PC, it could possibly be warranted, and think of how happy the wife will be…
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8524
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Sin-built 2013
    CPU
    Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-4770K CPU @ 3.50GHz
    Motherboard
    ASUS ROG Maximus VI Formula
    Memory
    32.0 GB of I forget and the box is in storage.
    Graphics Card(s)
    Gigabyte nVidia GeForce GTX 1660 Super OC 6GB
    Sound Card
    Onboard thingy
    Monitor(s) Displays
    5 x LG 25MS500-B - 1 x 24MK430H-B - 1 x Wacom Pro 22" Touch Screen Tablet
    Screen Resolution
    All over the place
    Hard Drives
    Too many to list.
    OS on Samsung 1TB 870 QVO SATA
    PSU
    Silverstone 1500
    Case
    NZXT Phantom 820 Full-Tower Case
    Cooling
    Noctua NH-D15 Elite Class Dual Tower CPU Cooler / 6 x EziDIY 120mm / 2 x Corsair 140mm somethings / 1 x 140mm Thermaltake something / 2 x 200mm Corsair.
    Keyboard
    Corsair K95 / Logitech diNovo Edge Wireless
    Mouse
    Logitech: G402 / G502 / Mx Masters / Mx Air Cordless
    Internet Speed
    2000/500Mbps
    Browser
    All sorts
    Antivirus
    Kaspersky Premium
    Other Info
    ㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤㅤ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
    TP-Link BE9300 WiFi 7 Bluetooth 5.4 (Archer TBE550E)
    TP-Link TX201 V1 2.5GB Lan

    Grandstream HT812 - VoIP
    ASUS DSL-AX82U - Mesh
    ASUS RT-AC68U - Mesh
    ASUS RT-BE88U Router

    Brother MFC-L2880DW Printer

    I’m on a horse.
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2 Build 26200.8524
    Computer type
    Laptop
    Manufacturer/Model
    LENOVO Yoga 7 14IRL8 - 7i EVO OLED 14" Touchscreen i5 12 Core 16GB/512GB
    CPU
    Intel Core 12th Gen i5-1240P Processor (1.7 - 4.4GHz)
    Memory
    16GB LPDDR5 RAM
    Graphics card(s)
    Intel Iris Xe Graphics Processor
    Sound Card
    Optimized with Dolby Atmos®
    Screen Resolution
    QHD 2880 x 1800 OLED
    Hard Drives
    M.2 512GB
    Antivirus
    Defender / Malwarebytes
    Other Info
    …still on a horse.
antspants said:
This is just my opinion, but you’re almost at the point where diagnostics might cost you money (New PSU etc)
If you’re willing to get a new PC, it could possibly be warranted, and think of how happy the wife will be…
Click to expand...
Yup already putting order in, just irritating for next week or so. Just took battery out and waited 5min and still dead as a dodo. Think time to give up, but really appreciate all the ideas and input.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
use a multi meter and check the voltages on power supply. +/-5v and +/- 12v
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    Asus Home built
    CPU
    i9-13900
    Motherboard
    ASUS Strix Z790-H
    Memory
    64 GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia RTX 5070 TI OC
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Sony 55"
    Hard Drives
    SSD
    PSU
    850 watt EVGA
    Case
    Cooler Master Haf 932
    Cooling
    CoolerMaster
    Keyboard
    RedDragon
    Mouse
    CoolerMaster
    Internet Speed
    300/300
    Antivirus
    Defender
    Other Info
    VR, Virtual Reality

My Computers

System One System Two

  • OS
    Windows 11 Pro 25H2
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec B746
    CPU
    Intel Core i7-10700K
    Motherboard
    ASRock Z490 Phantom Gaming 4/ax
    Memory
    16GB (8GB PC4-19200 DDR4 SDRAM x2)
    Graphics Card(s)
    NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1050 TI
    Sound Card
    Realtek Audio
    Monitor(s) Displays
    #1. LG ULTRAWIDE 34" #2. AOC Q32G2WG3 32"
    Screen Resolution
    #1. 3440 X 1440 #2. 1920 x 1080
    Hard Drives
    NVMe WDC WDS100T2B0C-00PXH0 1TB
    Samsung SSD 860 EVO 1TB
    PSU
    750 Watts (62.5A)
    Case
    PowerSpec/Lian Li ATX 205
    Keyboard
    Logitech K270
    Mouse
    Logitech M185
    Browser
    Microsoft Edge and Firefox
    Antivirus
    Webroot SecureAnywhere CE 26.1
  • Operating System
    Windows 11 Canary Channel
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Manufacturer/Model
    PowerSpec G156
    CPU
    Intel Core i5-8400 CPU @ 2.80GHz
    Motherboard
    AsusTeK Prime B360M-A
    Memory
    16 MB DDR 4-2666
    Monitor(s) Displays
    23" Speptre HDMI 75Hz
    Screen Resolution
    1920x1080
    Hard Drives
    Samsung 970 EVO 500GB NVMe
    Keyboard
    Logitek K270
    Mouse
    Logitek M185
    Browser
    Firefox, Edge and Edge Canary
    Antivirus
    Windows Defender
Think im going to give up as already spent too much time to fix a computer i'm about to replace. Thanks for input
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
This is one of the cases where having a beeper speaker attached to the motherboard would aid in troubleshooting. This motherboard is old enough to not have any troubleshooting LEDs embedded on the motherboard itself. Having the cheap beeper speaker attached would give some clues as to what is going on. My guess is the system is not completing the POST(Power On Self Test) then shutting down/recycling. With a beeper speaker attached you would get some beeps identifying a possible problem area.
I ALWAYS attach one of those cheap beeper speakers on every system I own.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Win 7/10/11
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Other Info
    I'm a computer enthusiast so have quite a few systems that I run. More like an advanced hobby.
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