System remains locked in a repeated startup cycle for an extended duration.
System remains locked in a repeated startup cycle for an extended duration.
I purchased a Windows desktop in December 2020 from a friend who used it occasionally without any issues. It performed exceptionally well until March 2021 when it suddenly stopped and entered an endless boot loop. The fans ran for two seconds before shutting down again. Even after visiting a repair shop, the problem persisted for over ten days. They replaced the RAM, reset the CMOS battery, and changed the motherboard, but nothing resolved the issue. Over the past year, I’ve tried various fixes—different RAMs, hard drives, GPUs, even a new motherboard and cooling system—but the loop continues.
Some potential causes I’m considering:
1. Software issues from frequent formatting or updates.
2. Peripheral interference, such as a USB cable or Bluetooth device.
3. Power supply inconsistencies across different rooms or outlets.
Components involved include:
- Case: Cooler Master Silencio
- Motherboard: ATX MSI Z490-A Pro (previously Gigabyte GA-X99)
- CPU: Intel i5-11600KF 11th Gen, 3.9GHz
- RAM: Gskills 32GB DDR4
- Storage: Toshiba OCZ 256GB SSD + 1TB HDD
- GPU: GTX 970 4GB
- Cooler: Master Hyper 212 Evo V
- Power Supply: Seasonic 750W
I’m extremely frustrated and have exhausted most options. I’m now considering a full replacement, which could lead to additional purchases for a compatible processor and cooling solution. This situation is causing significant stress, and I’m worried about losing productivity on my spare laptop.
Did you perform a fresh installation of Windows following the replacement of the motherboard?
Thank you for the update. I also performed a clean installation on the same SSD, but not on an HDD or another SSD. I’m likely to test it with a different drive next time. Could you clarify why it functioned perfectly for weeks before failing?