Power cut now pc wont load Windows.

aliasojo

Had a power cut earlier this evening but before we could get round everything to switch off, the power came back on.

Problem is that the pc wont load up now. It will switch on, give one short beep then do nothing. The monitor shows the Intel logo that usually comes on for few seconds during the start up process but now it hangs there.

I've tried putting the Windows disk in to restart / repair Windows but it wont run. My only way of restarting the pc is to switch off and on via the main power button at the back of the machine but even if I do that, the disk still wont run.

It was plugged into a power surge protector so I'm not sure if it's 'just' a Windows problem or if it's more serious. I dont even see the Bios screens now.

What can I try?

Strider590

Try opening up the case, lift out the CMOS battery for about 60 seconds, replace it and see if it works again. This resets the bios to default settings and may solve your problem.

aliasojo

Thanks. I'm happy to open the thing up but will it be obvious where the CMOS battery is?

Money_Grabber13579

It's the little watch type battery. Don't touch anything else though because static electricity will destroy your computer!

aliasojo

I see it but cant get to it without unscrewing a fan. Will have to leave it till tomorrow to look out a tiny screwdriver and the antistatic wristband I think.

Strider590

Sometimes they have a small "jumper" connection next to them, you can lift this off to open circuit the battery terminals.

aliasojo

Ok, tried that this morning. It hasn't worked. There is nothing obviously wrong inside and all connections are tight.

Any other suggestions?

Strider590

Ok, silly of me really, but you tried that with the mains disconnected right?

And you've got surge protection.... Was the PC in use when the power went off? All I can think is that the HDD has been borked because it may have been accessing data at the time.

It's possible but slightly unlikely that the PSU has lost a rail, most motherboards wouldn't allow the PC to start at all though.

aliasojo

Yes. I disconnected everything, then plugged in the mains lead, the monitor and the keyboard to restart but result was just the same.

The pc was on (in fact I think an MSE page had been left open at the time) and I was elsewhere when the power went down.

I left the side off the pc when restarting and I'm not convinced the hdd was spinning. I do have another hdd taken from an old pc that should still have windows on it so I'll try connecting that (as soon as I can recall where it might be ).

Will let you know if that works or not.

mr_fishbulb

Can you get into the BIOS (you may have to press, F1, F2, Esc or something similar when the PC is turned on)?

It may be able to tell you if a hard drive is detected

aliasojo

I dont think so. The black screen with white writing doesn't come up so I assumed I couldn't. I cant remember what the key was for the BIOs but I'll go try pressing a few .............

Nope...tried all the usual ones including DEL but no joy. I'm having to switch on and off at the main power switch so it's a slow process, lol.