System won't start up, 0 bytes left on C disk

[Guest]

Hi,

Two days ago my desktop was running out of space on the C disk. I have an SSD (60GB) on my C disk and a HDD (1TB) on my F drive (Windows 8.1). After removing some software such as Firefox and Teamviewer from the C drive, it said there was ~200-500 MB of space free. Few minutes later it started going down again, reaching 0 bytes of left space within just minutes. Silly enough, I thought a restart would fix this. Apparently there was a Windows update ready and it started updating itself. Around 30% of the update, all my monitors went pitch black and the system stopped responding. Ever since, I am unable to get a visual while using the setup I used previously up until this issue.

Few notable points:
1. I don't even get the BIOS message or possibility to enter BIOS if I turn it on while everything is plugged in like before.
2. Whenever the SSD is plugged in, the monitors stay black and never display my BIOS message.
3. Using Windows 8.1
4. The OS is on the SSD


I'll sum up the things I have tried with advice from friends:


1. Use WinToUSB to put the Windows 8.1 ISO (and Windows 7 previously) on a 16GB USB. Boot from USB after entering BIOS. This didn't give a visual, still, so I unplugged my SSD (after taking out the power button) and re-booted. Luckily without the SSD plugged, the BIOS does show up! Sadly, I kept getting BOSD's after a while when booting from the USB.
2. Tried above while having either SSD or HDD or none plugged, no difference (except that if SSD is ever plugged in, nothing is shown).
3. Resetting CMOS by moving the pins from 1-2 to 2-3 for a couple seconds and then moving them back (Sabertooth Z77).

I probably forgot some points, it's been a hectic couple of days and we're running out of idea's.


Specs:
Intel i7-3770K 3.50 GHz
16 GB RAM
Windows 8.1 x64
GTX 650 x2
Sabertooth Z77
1 TB HDD, 60 GB SSD


Thanks in advance,

Jasper


P.S. Is it possible this caused any permanent (non-data loss related) damage?

 

[Paul NZ]

So whats on c if f has win8.1?

 

[holyprof]

Sounds like UEFI boot problem, some motherboards have "quick start" option that *disables* the ability to enter BIOS unless from windows (yes it sucks). Refer to your motherboard's firmware (aka BIOS) documentation (either the paper one or the pdf available on manufacturer's webpage).

Unless it's a very unhappy coincidence, i don't think you have a hardware problem. Try plugging the SSD on another PC and check it's health status, preferrably using a tool from respective manufacturer.

 

[Guest]

So whats on c if f has win8.1?

You misread there, I think. C (SSD) has the OS, F has the data (HDD).

Sounds like UEFI boot problem, some motherboards have "quick start" option that *disables* the ability to enter BIOS unless from windows (yes it sucks). Refer to your motherboard's firmware (aka BIOS) documentation (either the paper one or the pdf available on manufacturer's webpage).

I forgot to mention in my original post, we already tried disabling EUFI boot.

Unless it's a very unhappy coincidence, i don't think you have a hardware problem. Try plugging the SSD on another PC and check it's health status, preferrably using a tool from respective manufacturer.

I do not have another desktop on which I can test the SSD.

I think my best option is to buy a new (bigger) SSD, burn W8.1 on a disk, unplug old SSD, plug in new SSD, install W8.1 on the new SSD, plug back in the old SSD and erase its content (unless it still won't start up with old SSD plugged in, of course).

 

[holyprof]

Try installing windows on your 1 TB hard disk, will save you money. Replacing your 60 GB SSD isn't a bad idea as well. Let us know what you did and did it worked. Good luck!

 

[Guest]

I'd like to keep my HDD as it is right now (as far as I know I have to format it in order to install an OS on it, correct)? Therefore I have purchased a new SSD, bigger this time (120 GB) which should arrive tomorrow morning (~8 hours from now). I also got some new DVD's, burned W8.1 on one of them and will install it on the new SSD as soon as it arrives.

Is it allowed to ask a completely unrelated question here? If no, ignore the following. If yes, well, feel free to answer. ^^
I have 4 monitors plugged in and I want to extend this to 6. I have the GPU capacity for 4, so I was thinking of purchasing 1 more HP USB Graphics Adapter (already got 1) to attach the extra 2 monitors. Is this a good idea or not? I won't be gaming on the USB monitors, they are strictly for extra space.

 

[Guest]

It worked!

I installed a brand new operating system on the new SSD, everything runs smooth now. Thanks a lot for the help!

 

[holyprof]

Format your old ssd, preferrably with a tool from manufacturer. It might work again. Glad your pc is working now.