Few computer problems are more frustrating
than a system that won’t boot. Your best lifeline, the Internet, is
inaccessible, you often don’t have an error message to give you a clue, and the
software menus to which you do have access may be unfamiliar and difficult to
navigate and decipher.
Reseating
your memory can sometimes resolve critical errors
Pinpoint the cause
If your system continuously reboots, the
problem can have a variety of sources, including your system components,
drivers, software, and viruses or malware. The best way to troubleshoot the
problem is to try the most common fixes first and then work your way down to
the less common fixes.
Recent hardware changes
If your system reboots immediately after
you start your computer, that’s often an indication of a hardware problem. If
you recently installed anything, such as a new storage device, processor, or memory
module, check to see that you installed it as instructed. Remember to exercise
caution when working inside your computer: Turn it off, unplug it, and then
touch a part of the case frame to dissipate static electricity. The first thing
to do is to ensure that your memory modules are properly seated. It’s also a
good idea to check that every hard drive or SSD in the system has both power
and data cables firmly connected. Be sure to check the processor heatsink to
make sure it’s installed and held firmly in place and that the graphics card
(if present) is fully inserted into its slot and any external power ports are
connected to the power supply. Make sure all the motherboard power ports are
connected, as well; most motherboards require a 24-pin power connector on the
right edge of the board and a 4- or 8-pin power connection toward the top of
the motherboard.
Back to the BIOS
If the settings in the BIOS (Basic Input/
Output System) have become unstable, resetting it may solve the problem. To do
this, restart your computer and immediately press the designated key that lets
you access the BIOS. This key varies from computer to computer, but often it
appears on-screen during the boot process. The DELETE, ESC, F1, or F2 keys are
all common. Once in the BIOS setup utility, try loading the Optimized Defaults,
save the settings, and restart. If your computer still fails, re-enter the BIOS
and load the Fail-Safe Defaults. If you can’t even access the BIOS, then you
may need to reset the CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor), which
retains your computer’s BIOS settings. Consult your motherboard or computer
manual for the location of the CMOS jumper, which you can temporarily move
between the three pins on the motherboard to perform the reset. After about 10
seconds, move the jumper back and try restarting.
You
can load your system’s optimized default settings from the BIOS Setup Utility
If your system reboots immediately after
you start your computer, that’s often an indication of a hardware problem.
If the settings in the BIOS (Basic Input/
Output System) have become unstable, resetting it can solve the problem. To do
this, restart your computer and immediately press the designated key that lets
you access the BIOS.
The safe mode or system restore options
Try to boot your computer into Safe Mode by
restarting your computer and pressing the F8 key as it attempts to boot up. On
the Advanced Boot Options screen, use the arrow keys to highlight the Safe Mode
option and then press ENTER. If you have more than one OS installed on your
system, you may need to select the OS you want to boot into Safe Mode. If your
computer boots successfully into Safe Mode, then the issue may have been
resolved, so attempt a normal reboot. If the problem persists, try a System Restore:
Re-enter Safe Mode, click Start, type system restore, and then press
ENTER. Use this wizard to use a Restore Point to reclaim access to your PC. Be
sure to select a point prior to the day on which you began having trouble.
Safe
Mode is useful for troubleshooting driver issues and selecting a Restore Point
You
may need to move the CMOS jumper to reset the BIOS
