Resolved screen goes blank after bios starts up in win xp

Hi Guys,


Need some advice, recently ive had some issues with my computer where i keep getting the bsod and error message of driver irql not equal or less and at the bottom nv4_mini.sys error message, i thought there might be an issue with my graphics card drivers so i deleted and reinstalled and updated the drivers, this did not work i would still get the error message and whenever i started up my computer it would freeze right after the win xp logo loaded up sometimes it would freeze there or other times just after the desktop loads up, then i thought maybe it might be my registry filese being corrupted so i downloaded the registry easy software and tried fixing the registry files, this didnt help either.
i've recently bought another bought another graphics cards thinking that maybe the older card was corrupted somehow, i installed the new one but it hasnt fixed the problem.
Now whenever i start my computer, it loads up the bios page and after that the screen just goes blank, cant even load the windows logo anymore.
I've searched the web for similar problems and people offer different advice on how to fix the problem, ive tried many of them but non have helped.
Does this mean i need get myself another pc or can this problem be fixed?
Any advice would be most welcome.

 

There's quite a bit of information and troubleshooting ideas in this Microsoft Knowledge Base article, Computer stops responding with a black screen when you start Windows XP.

Hopefully, something there will help.

 

Hi Miz thanks for the quick response, however ive tried using the windows cd but when it asks me to press any key to load up the cd the screen goes blank when i press a key so i cant repair of fix the drive that way

 

Can you get into BIOS?
If you can, set Default Settings and see if that helps. Neil.

 

I am sure we can help you fix it, with a little patience.

This problem is usually associated to a memory fault. First, I would suggest removing your memory sticks, cleaning the contacts with a pencil eraser and reinserting them, reboot.

If there is no change try running with just one stick then swap and try again. If there is still no improvement or you only have one stick, read on.

Download this to test your memory. http://www.memtest.org/ You will need to do this on another PC with a DVD/CD burner.

You need to scroll down the page until you see the three screenshots. Just below is the list of downloads for Memtest86+ V4.10. Click on Download - Pre-Compiled Bootable ISO (.zip) When the download is complete right click the file and select "Extract Here " and burn the image to a CD. In windows 7 right click the extracted file, select Open With, then select Windows Disc Image Burning Tool then follow the prompts.
For all other version of windows (if you do not have an ISO burner) download this free software.
http://www.isoimageburner.com/

The graphics card did not cause this problem as you have already discovered. As the new one may need to have drivers installed to work correctly please reinstall the old one while these tests are being performed.

The next thing will be to test your hard drive. A disgnostics disc will be available from the manufacturers site dedicated to your model of drive. I would have provided a link but your specs need to be edited with the drive manufacturers name.

 

funny thing is i had the http://www.memtest.org/ downloaded on my computer a few days prior to the issue in hand, however i never got a chance to burn it to disc, so i cant access it from my computer because of the problems i mentioned earlier, if i try resetting the bios to default setting will that delete any files on my hardrive? as i have some important stuff on there. also i,ve been thinking if it is the hard drive thats at fault, if i buy a new one and connect it will i be able to install windows on that and set that up as my main drive and use the other one as a slave drive and copy the data off it? if its corrupt is there any way i can still copy the data off it?

 

Default settings in BIOS won't delete files. It will obviate any overclock or abnormal conditions.
If you purchase another HD and set it with your XP OS - you will be able to slave your old HD and try to recover the info you want. Neil.

 

I should add that at the moment and prior to running any tests you do not know what the fault is, your hard drive may be perfectly healthy. The fact that you could not boot up fully from the XP disc is another pointer to a memory fault.

I would advise you to do the tests before you purchase any new hardware. If you install a new drive and you have faulty memory the problem will persist.

If you want to back up your files you can take out the hard drive and connect it to another desktop PC.

Please follow my guide in post 5. In order to get to the root of the problem it is important to check your memory first, then we can move on.

Please tell me if you can boot into safe mode.

 

tried the bios default settings today but it has not worked its still the same. i cant try the memory test because i cant make a copy of it onto a disc, i dont have access to another computer where i can burn the data to a disc, im using my work computer to log on here and not allowed to burn the data to disc here, it could be faulty memory or hard drive, also i cant boot into safe mode when the computer starts up im constantly pressing the F8 key but it does not load up the setting page, on the same note when i had problems earlier before, when the windows logo would load up and freeze afterwards, sometimes the options page that has safe mode, last good configuration settings, start windows normally options automatically loaded up but i could not select any options the start windows normally option would only be highlighted and counting down to restart and i could not select any other options at all.

 

Did you start hitting the F8 key immediately (as the first screen appears) after you switched on?

Have you followed the first part of my suggestions in post 5 to remove and clean the memory contacts and try to boot up with just one stick in place (do you have two sticks or just one?) If you need more guidance with this please ask.

Without the use of another PC to make the test disc or being able to get into safe mode there is little else I can think of that will help to resolve this problem.

When you previously had the options page up were you using the up and down keys to try and select the options or the mouse? If the up and down keys had no effect this could suggest your keyboard is faulty, that would also explain why the F8 key is not working, take the connection out of the PC and push it back in, if it is USB try another socket, try for safe mode again. If it is a wireless keyboard change the batteries.

 

You got into BIOS OK - what happened when you Saved and Exited? Neil.

 

mark yeah i followed your advice and cleaned the memory stick before reinserting it but it didint make a difference, i have just the 1 stick (1gb). When the computer is started i did keep hitting the F8 key right up to when thye screen goes blank with the underscore curser at the top left of the screen loads up but it is still the same.

 

Please read and answer the rest of my last post, I was editing it when you posted.

 

neil, bios was saved and exited and the computer restarted but the problem still persisted when it tries loading up again.
mark, i tried selecting the options with the keyboard arrow keys button nothing would happen, also i have previously removed the keyboard and reconnected it but didnt change anything, the keyboard and mouse are both usb, i bought these not too long ago after having some problems with my wireless set.

 

OK, the only way to move forward with this is to get that CD made to test the memory or take a risk and get a new memory stick. I cannot give any guarantee that the new stick will fix the issue without running the diagnostics, so its up to you. You will also need to make another CD to test the hard drive if it turns out that the memory is OK.

 

been thinking the same whether to get another memory stick, one question does it matter what memory stick you buy depending on your motherboard? forexample i have an old ddr1 motherboard so would i only be able to buy a ddr1 memory stick or can i add any new sticks like ddr 2/3 etc?

 

You should get the same as what you already have, other sticks will not fit. Normally sticks are fitted in matched pairs to improve performance, but again that is your choice, depends how much money you want to gamble. I would just get one for now and if it works maybe consider upgrading later.

 

Is this your board specs?
The ASRock 939NF4G-SATA2 is a microATX form factor motherboard that is well suited for compact mini-tower desktop computer chassis. The board measures 24cm x 22cm in size, and mounts with six screws. ASRock include only the basic cables necessary to install a pair of IDE devices, a SATA hard drive
perhaps, and take advantage of the COM port. There are no frills with the ASRock 939NF4G-SATA2, and its price reinforces that.

The board will support up to 4GB of dual channel PC3200 DDR400 RAM via four DDR DIMM slots. Memory must be installed in pairs for dual channel operation
, so we'd recommend installing DDR modules of at least 512MB in size. Rounding out the list of onboard goodies is a Realtek
ALC850 7.1-channel HDA (Azalia)/AC'97 audio controller, a 10/100 Ethernet network jack, and four USB2.0 ports (plus two USB2.0 headers) at the rear I/O. The ASRock 939NF4G-SATA2 retails for less than a $95 USD .
our RAM requirements are shown and as mark said - make sure you match them! Neil.

 

Just curious, in the BIOS is your first Boot Device your CD\DVD drive?

 

yes this is the motherboard i have, i have a 1gb memory stick only tried it again today took out the memory stick cleaned it and inserted it back again still no improvement though