Computer boots for a second, then shuts down

[sammal14]

So basically i tried to boot up my computer few hours ago, the lights went on for about 1-2 seconds, and then it shut down. I tried to boot it again couple times but the result was still the same.

I think it started yesterday evening. MBAM had just finished scan, when i clicked finish and about 10 secondslater my whole computer froze, so I had to do a hard boot. When I tried to turn it back on, it loaded normally at start, but as it got past from Windows loading screen there was just a black screen and mouse pointer, which i could move, but nothing else. So after it had been like this for about 10 minutes, i had to do a hard boot again, but this time i tried if the safe mode works. It booted up fine into safe mode, so i did a restart, and this time it booted up into normal mode without any problems. Worked well after that, so couple hours later i shut it down and when i tried to boot it in the morning, nothing happened.


So the real question is, has it probably died? Or might it be some kind of a malfunction, that can be fixed? This PC's around 7-8 years old and everything except HDD is as old, so it wouldn't be a surprise actually if it did die, although it has worked nearly without problems so far.

 

[C12Friedman]

I'd suspect your PSU is going out but I'll suggest looking over the motherboard for any leaking/swollen capacitors or burnt areas before concluding the PSU need replacement. If the motherboard appears to be okay, I'd go with a PSU swap (assuming you want to invest in keeping it running)
Is this a homebuilt unit or brand name PC?

 

[sammal14]

Thank you for your quick answer, but it turns out it wasn't PSU's problem, it rather seems to be something HDD related. I managed to get the computer working again by pushing the button right after it had shut itself down and on 3rd or 4th turn it started. It got stuck again after windows loading screen like previously (black screen with only mouse pointer), for about a minute and then it loaded up desktop.

So I opened up Event Viewer to see what might've caused this and i found a series of Event ID 11 errors:
"The driver detected a controller error on \Device\Ide\IdePort0."

So upon googleing it, I found a program called HD Tune Pro.
Did a quick scan with it: https://gyazo.com/c386988dd48e05450ee563a0c21357bc
I believe these B8 errors are because of that black screen after windows loadscreen, but i'm more curious as what those C7 errors mean? All of them have been coming since yesterday, started couple hours before my computer froze, and in every 5-10 minutes this number increases. Is there any way i could fix this?

 

[C12Friedman]

While that does seem to be related to the hard drive, motherboard southbridge or IDE(?) cables - I won't completely rule out power as a possible issue.
The usual troubleshooting for that goes something like this:
1) Try a different data cable
2) Try a different hard drive

I think I will also suggest checking the the CMOS battery (small button battery on the motherboard) is at 3V, replace if it isn't. I have seen PC's do some very strange things when that battery starts to go bad.

The reason I'm not ruling out power just yet is that wonky voltages can cause weird things to happen in the PC that often don't seem related to power (like make HDD's act up, memory errors, etc.)

 

[sammal14]

I checked PSU voltages with couple programs, as i haven't got a voltmeter, but everything seemed to be in order there.
Tried switching SATA cables, but it didn't make any difference either, still had to try to boot like 5 times before it worked. Event ID 11 errors keep popping up still, the number is now ~1200 and my PC has frozen totally twice today. Both times only for around 2 minutes, with mouse pointer moving, and then a BSOD flashes by. 2nd time i knew i wouldn't have time to read it, so i waited it while filming it with my phone and i managed to get a screenshot out of there: https://gyazo.com/528bb7ee5d21f19d187736efc88b1cad

I haven't got another HDD to test atm, but i might get one from a friend. Also i don't believe it to be CMOS battery, as then date & time would be acting all weird too, i think.

Oh, and after BSOD when it restarted, it got past the bios loading screen and then a a text appeared: DISK BOOT FAILURE, INSERT SYSTEM DISK AND PRESS ENTER
When it appeared, i just did a hard boot and it started up fine.
This message was also the reason i had to get rid of my old HDD, it didn't boot up after that, although then that happened overnight.

 

[C12Friedman]

While a good indication of the CMOS battery being bad is the loss of system time/date - it's not always the case which is why I suggested checking voltage rather than ask if date and time are screwy.

I'll suggest trying to start up without any hard drives connected to the motherboard - see if you get to the screen requesting a system disk or if it still hesitates (it may give us a starting point)

 

[sammal14]

So i disconnected HDD from my motherboard, and it still won't boot up.

 

[sammal14]

I believe i found the problem. Upon googling a bit, i found that this may be caused by bad mobo capacitors, and i found 3 that are a bit bulging from the top and have little holes in them and 1 of those 3 is leaking from the bottom too. I don't know if this is fixable, but i believ the best choice would be to buy a new computer altogether.

 

[Mitchell_10]

Bulging and leaking capacitors would definitely cause a problem. They aren't difficult to change if you are handy with a soldering iron and have a Radio Shack close by. With that said, you're probably better off looking for a new comp. If you have 3 that indicate problems, chances are the others are not too far from the same condition.

 

[C12Friedman]

Which is why I instructed the OP to look at those in my first post