When your PC won't boot, it's best not to panic. There are some steps you can take to restore the machine to working order, but if that doesn't work, chances are very high that you can at least recover your data.
We are going to explain what actions to take to try to restore system operation in case something like this happens. Sometimes the solutions are simpler than we think, and there are small gestures that can save money and headaches.
PC won't boot; checklist to keep in mind
We should try to start the diagnosis by first eliminating the physical parts that could be a potential problem and only then move on to more specific issues related to computer components or even software:
- Check the power supply
- Disconnect peripherals, especially USB peripherals.
- Disconnect all non-essential components
- Boot in safe mode
- Restore the operating system
If none of the above works, the ideal is to go to specialized establishments that can deal with the issue in the best possible way.
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When electricity is the source of the problem
In the case of a simple power surge, it is possible that the computer will not start because the electrical protection systems are activated. Therefore, we must disconnect it from the power outlet and press the power button to make sure that the current remaining in the circuits is eliminated.
If we are talking about a desktop computer, there are usually one or more LEDs that indicate whether or not there is electricity on the motherboard, so it is quite easy to see when there is no more current flowing through the components.
Here it can also be important to confirm the connections within the system. Improperly connected ATX or CPU cables (among others) may be the cause of the malfunction. It is important to make sure that everything is firmly seated in place, not forgetting the front panel connectors.
Less common, but also important, is the problem originating from the computer's on/off or reset buttons. If they have an unusual tactile feel (too loose; do not click; do not return to the initial position when pressed) you should check them carefully and act accordingly.
In the case of a laptop, usually the chargers always make some accumulation of energy, and it is common for the transformer to be disconnected and the LED (when it exists) that indicates that it is working to stay on.
It is also common for the cables that feed the machine to be damaged. There is not always time (and care) to fix them, and over time they end up getting wrinkled here and there.
Therefore, it is normal that small breaks appear in the conductors that end up not allowing the current to pass in the best conditions. If this is the case, and depending on availability, the power supply should be tested on another machine, but paying attention to the voltage and power.
What things can make my PC not start up?
Sometimes we leave a simple pen drive or hard drive connected to the computer, and through the BIOS (or UEFI) settings, the machine tries to boot from that device.
Now, if we only have pictures from the last Christmas party there, we will get a black screen and an error message instead of our beloved desktop.
We may also have an internal component that has gone bad and is compromising the rest of the system. Removing everything non-essential, including RAM, can help to understand the source of the problem.
In the case of desktop computers, it is common to hear a series of beeps or, failing that, to have a diagnostic LED panel, which allows us to identify errors at startup.
As for RAM, when we have more than one DIMM, we must alternately test and even change slots. When the memory has an anomaly, the most common symptom is blue screens and a lot of instability in the system, however we may have a problem in the slot we are using or even in the memory controller.
Removing the RAM and repositioning it can help identify these problems, but resolving them will require someone with advanced knowledge.
If you want to know how to choose a memory that is compatible with the one that has gone bad, we have some tips to share with you.
In the case of components such as sound cards or other expansion cards, the most common is that the machine will not boot, so when we turn the PC back on by inserting that problematic component, we will be able to identify the cause for sure.
PC won't boot because of software
Now that we've removed the physical part of the equation, that leaves the software problem. The PC not booting may have to do with a failed update, a corrupt system file, or even a driver that is too green on the system.
The first step is to try booting in safe mode. As a diagnostic option in both Windows and other systems such as macOS, the concept is based on isolating the system kernel from complementary but non-essential areas.
To do this, in Windows, simply press the F8 key at boot time and then choose option 4. In macOS, on the other hand, we hold down the Shift key at boot time, after hearing the initialization sound, and release the key when the Apple logo appears.
In this way, the operating system is loaded with only the essential services and drivers, allowing us to check if the machine is running normally when nothing else is running. If so, we can proceed with a restore, selecting a date prior to that at which we encountered the problem.
In the case of Apple the option to take into account is Time Machine, so it is always a good idea to set up backups on this platform.
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