[SOLVED] PC Constant reboot

[delrvich]

In Jan 2018, I opened an old but working HP Media Center 7350n XP PC and used a vacuum brush to clean out a lot of the dust. Upon completion, the PC wouldn't boot to Windows and beeped continuously. I finally got around to addressing the causes and after resetting the memory and a cable, the PC now boots to the F8 screen but is stuck in a loop. Doesn't matter if you select Safe Mode, Safe Mode with Networking, Last Good Configuration, etc... the PC goes through the motions, quick blue screen, then back.

Please advise any suggestions.

 

[anotherdrew]

My first though was a hardware fault, especially because I have seen vacuum cleans fry computers before (static buildup on plastic parts). But the symptoms sound more like software corruption.

1. Was the cable you replaced for the hard drive? If so, try a different one.
2. Do you have (can you get) a copy of an OS (Linux, Windows, whatever) on a CD or USB stick (I don't know if that computer will boot from USB)? Will it boot from the CD .. if so, it is clear the hardware is fine and the hard drive is corrupted ... if not, then you may actually have a hardware fault.
3. If it seems to be a hardware fault, strip as many peripherals from the motherboard as you can and try to boot again. If it will boot, then start adding peripherals back one at a time until it fails.

 

[vdragonov]

My first though was a hardware fault, especially because I have seen vacuum cleans fry computers before (static buildup on plastic parts). But the symptoms sound more like software corruption.

1. Was the cable you replaced for the hard drive? If so, try a different one.
2. Do you have (can you get) a copy of an OS (Linux, Windows, whatever) on a CD or USB stick (I don't know if that computer will boot from USB)? Will it boot from the CD .. if so, it is clear the hardware is fine and the hard drive is corrupted ... if not, then you may actually have a hardware fault.
3. If it seems to be a hardware fault, strip as many peripherals from the motherboard as you can and try to boot again. If it will boot, then start adding peripherals back one at a time until it fails.

1. No, not sure where it went as the media tower is cramped and didn't want to wind up knocking anything else loose.
2. Unfortunately, no.
3. Not much except the basics are connected (monitor, keyboard, mouse).

I hastily shot a video and tried to get it to Pause on the blue screen but no success.
I may try later on tonight and get best video possible to screen capture blue screen message.
https://youtu.be/lPjH1_GdEBY

 

[vdragonov]

Sorry, delrvich and vdragonov are both me, but different profile using Facebook and Google to log in.

 

[anotherdrew]

Is there anything important on the current hard drive? If not and you still have the original disk, then you might want to just try reinstalling the OS.

If you don't have disks, here is a link to make a windows 10 install CD ... https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/software-download/windows10 ... I assume you have access to a computer with a CD burner. The goal is not to install windows 10, but to see if the computer will boot. If it does, then you probably have a corrupted hard drive. If not, then you have fried hardware. If this is a hardware issue, it may not be worth fixing unless you have access to very cheap (free) parts.