Major issues booting into Windows 10

Power supplies love to pull all kinds of stupid stunts without a second thought😁

I’d suggest running a full RAM test using MemTest86 and then digging into the memory dump files through BluescreenViewer to see what's actually going on. It's also worth taking a close look at the Event Viewer to see if there are any other red flags popping up in the logs.

wearymason4 said:I never touch anything liquid except for the occasional splash of isopropyl alcohol. Using WD-40 on gold-plated contacts is a terrible idea—the label literally says it leaves an anti-corrosion layer, which is just a fancy way of saying it leaves a greasy film that attracts dust right onto your contacts. Gold doesn't need that kind of junk.
I’ve actually had to clean contacts twice because someone brought me a PC they’d sprayed down with WD-40... honestly, it was even worse when I dealt with a boombox where someone had shoved sunflower oil into the buttons.🤦

Are you actually suggesting that someone could just walk out with 100% pure alcohol lying around? As if you could just stroll into a Walgreens or a liquor store and pick up something that potent without attracting every federal agent in the country. It’s an absurd proposition.

Don't even think about using WD-40 on gold-plated contacts. It explicitly states that the product is designed to leave behind an anti-corrosive film, which essentially means you're just coating those surfaces in a layer of grease that serves as a magnet for dust and grime—something gold plating absolutely does not need.
I have been forced to clean those contacts twice now because they brought me a PC that was absolutely drenched in WD-40.

That’s a fair response, though I have to say that I have been applying WD-40 to contacts for twenty years now, and what is truly fascinating—whether you choose to believe me or not—is that in a farm of twenty computers, I haven't encountered a single issue.
In the past, I’ve frequently dealt with hardware failures like power supplies giving out every couple of years or so, but the real reason I still reach for WD-40 is because of that thin film of residue it leaves on the contacts—it actually acts as a sort of anti-corrosive agent. In my specific situation, while there is some buildup, the primary issue is just dust on the contacts, which is a much smaller headache by comparison.

It yields a particularly remarkable effect on PSU molex connectors, given that they are constructed from sheet metal. In the past, power fluctuations and connectivity issues were a constant headache, but ever since I started treating them with this, I have systematically burned through every single spare power supply I had kept in storage for emergency replacements. It is quite simply impossible to deny the results; the efficacy is nothing short of incredible.

I’ve been experimenting with gasoline and various acids lately to refine my gold, primarily because standard methods have proven to be utterly insufficient for my standards. Once the process is complete, the luster is absolutely blinding—it shines with an intensity that is nothing short of overwhelming. But more importantly, this method actually brings certain components back to life, reviving parts that everyone else had already written off as dead. Dead.I’d say we’re looking at roughly 70% of them.

It was even more catastrophic when they handed me a cassette player that had been practically marinated in sunflower oil, with the gunk seeped deep into the buttons.🤦

So, they actually managed to lock up the keys, did they? Honestly, that’s a stroke of pure creative genius right there—I mean, you have to hand it to them, it’s almost impressive in its absurdity. Haha. 😁

restlessdrifter4 As I have stated before, the situation remains unchanged.
This morning I spent some time just nudging those wires and cables around, and I went through the process of reseating both sticks of RAM—pulling them out and snapping them back in—while giving the slots a quick blow with my breath since that was the only option I had available. 😁 It was sitting right there on that stand, and honestly, I suspect there was probably some dust buildup from the nearby fan clogging up the memory modules as well; I’m not suggesting that was the sole culprit, but it's certainly a factor worth considering.
They claimed that Windows was running without a single error. 👍

Look, you can clean it however you see fit, but make sure it actually gets done because if you don't, this exact same headache is going to resurface before you know it. If you're claiming that using cleaning fluids is too much of a hassle—and I honestly don't see how else you'd tackle dirty PSU contacts unless you've given up—then just stop stalling and replace the power supply and the hard drive cables with brand new ones.

darkcyclist92 said:Are you actually suggesting that someone could just walk out with 100% pure alcohol lying around? As if you could just stroll into a Walgreens or a liquor store and pick up something that potent without attracting every federal agent in the country. It’s an absurd proposition.

Don't even think about using WD-40 on gold-plated contacts. It explicitly states that the product is designed to leave behind an anti-corrosive film, which essentially means you're just coating those surfaces in a layer of grease that serves as a magnet for dust and grime—something gold plating absolutely does not need.
I have been forced to clean those contacts twice now because they brought me a PC that was absolutely drenched in WD-40.

That’s a fair response, though I have to say that I have been applying WD-40 to contacts for twenty years now, and what is truly fascinating—whether you choose to believe me or not—is that in a farm of twenty computers, I haven't encountered a single issue.
In the past, I’ve frequently dealt with hardware failures like power supplies giving out every couple of years or so, but the real reason I still reach for WD-40 is because of that thin film of residue it leaves on the contacts—it actually acts as a sort of anti-corrosive agent. In my specific situation, while there is some buildup, the primary issue is just dust on the contacts, which is a much smaller headache by comparison.

It yields a particularly remarkable effect on PSU molex connectors, given that they are constructed from sheet metal. In the past, power fluctuations and connectivity issues were a constant headache, but ever since I started treating them with this, I have systematically burned through every single spare power supply I had kept in storage for emergency replacements. It is quite simply impossible to deny the results; the efficacy is nothing short of incredible.

I’ve been experimenting with gasoline and various acids lately to refine my gold, primarily because standard methods have proven to be utterly insufficient for my standards. Once the process is complete, the luster is absolutely blinding—it shines with an intensity that is nothing short of overwhelming. But more importantly, this method actually brings certain components back to life, reviving parts that everyone else had already written off as dead. Dead.I’d say we’re looking at roughly 70% of them.

It was even more catastrophic when they handed me a cassette player that had been practically marinated in sunflower oil, with the gunk seeped deep into the buttons.🤦

So, they actually managed to lock up the keys, did they? Honestly, that’s a stroke of pure creative genius right there—I mean, you have to hand it to them, it’s almost impressive in its absurdity. Haha. 😁

restlessdrifter4 As I have stated before, the situation remains unchanged.
This morning I spent some time just nudging those wires and cables around, and I went through the process of reseating both sticks of RAM—pulling them out and snapping them back in—while giving the slots a quick blow with my breath since that was the only option I had available. 😁 It was sitting right there on that stand, and honestly, I suspect there was probably some dust buildup from the nearby fan clogging up the memory modules as well; I’m not suggesting that was the sole culprit, but it's certainly a factor worth considering.
They claimed that Windows was running without a single error. 👍

Look, you can clean it however you see fit, but make sure it actually gets done because if you don't, this exact same headache is going to resurface before you know it. If you're claiming that using cleaning fluids is too much of a hassle—and I honestly don't see how else you'd tackle dirty PSU contacts unless you've given up—then just stop stalling and replace the power supply and the hard drive cables with brand new ones.

On a side note, I can confirm that reseating the RAM modules (using 2 of the 4 slots) actually helped. I'm not sure if it would have been better to try different slots entirely? 🤔 I placed them where they are because it feels like they shield those empty slots from the direct airflow of the fan, which might help prevent dust buildup. 😛

That said, I should report that Windows isn't running perfectly just yet. Occasionally, while the system is still warming up, the computer will reboot (about once every five times), though it usually recovers and settles down. It’s as if the machine is trying to assert its dominance. 😁

One final detail: very rarely, the screen will freeze, and my heart skips a beat; "here we go again, I'm screwed," 😲is roughly what crosses my mind. 😛
However, after a few mouse clicks, it eventually recovers, which is an improvement over the hard restarts I was getting before. 😢 It freezes for maybe a second or two, and then it makes this strange little sound, "tee—tee- teeeee-yuuu", almost like a sound effect from a video game, even though restlessdrifter4 has never installed any games on this PC. (Nobody's perfect, I suppose.) 😁

Dear colleagues, thank you all for the support. Moving forward, I would appreciate strictly professional and technical advice, similar to the quality I've received so far 👍 rather than suggestions like spray some WD-40 on it or similar antics. Let's leave those kinds of topics for other threads. 😁

You can find the exact layout for your RAM sticks in your motherboard's manual. You shouldn't just slot them in based on where the fan is sitting; you want to make sure they're set up for dual-channel mode. It’s all about making sure they aren't just hanging out on a single memory controller—you need them hitting both to actually get that speed boost.

restlessdrifter4 said:On a side note, I can confirm that reseating the RAM modules (using 2 of the 4 slots) actually helped. I'm not sure if it would have been better to try different slots entirely? 🤔 I placed them where they are because it feels like they shield those empty slots from the direct airflow of the fan, which might help prevent dust buildup. 😛

That said, I should report that Windows isn't running perfectly just yet. Occasionally, while the system is still warming up, the computer will reboot (about once every five times), though it usually recovers and settles down. It’s as if the machine is trying to assert its dominance. 😁

One final detail: very rarely, the screen will freeze, and my heart skips a beat; "here we go again, I'm screwed," 😲is roughly what crosses my mind. 😛
However, after a few mouse clicks, it eventually recovers, which is an improvement over the hard restarts I was getting before. 😢 It freezes for maybe a second or two, and then it makes this strange little sound, "tee—tee- teeeee-yuuu", almost like a sound effect from a video game, even though restlessdrifter4 has never installed any games on this PC. (Nobody's perfect, I suppose.) 😁

Dear colleagues, thank you all for the support. Moving forward, I would appreciate strictly professional and technical advice, similar to the quality I've received so far 👍 rather than suggestions like spray some WD-40 on it or similar antics. Let's leave those kinds of topics for other threads. 😁

In my estimation, one of your RAM sticks is likely faulty. For instance, pull one out and run the system with just that one for a few days; if everything remains stable, you’ll know exactly which one is the culprit. If the issues persist even after successful diagnostics, move your attention to the hard drive. Should it fail again, look toward the power supply or the electricity itself, including the main PSU jack—perhaps a low voltage contact issue. If the trouble continues beyond that, I'd expect a bent pin in the RAM slot.

Back in the day, when I practically lived at my workstation and didn't have a single spare second for shutdowns, repairs, or even a breather, WD-40 was my go-to solution for these exact headaches; now, since you think that's a funny joke... honestly, I can't think of another way. Just toss it in the trash. Maybe my old advice was just too outdated. 🙂 hmm who knows, between all the talk about temperatures, cooling, and walking on floating floors, maybe they've already completely screwed you over. 🤔 🤣

Cheers

Have you tried running it on the integrated graphics? Also, what kind of power supply are you using (brand and model)?

If it’s still freezing up, I guess you didn't actually fix anything, just made it slightly less terrible...

fadedorca66 said:Have you tried running it on the integrated graphics? Also, what kind of power supply are you using (brand and model)?

If it’s still freezing up, I guess you didn't actually fix anything, just made it slightly less terrible...

Well, it isn't freezing anymore, 🙂 although I do run into a little hiccup when stalls for a second or two; that usually happens when I have FF running alongside Microsoft Outlook. It doesn't happen every time, but that's when it tends to act up. Now, I haven't the slightest clue why that is, but as long as it isn't getting any worse, I suppose I can live with it. 😛

I realize none of this is particularly demanding for the PC, for instance; the real test will be when I start editing video projects with a heavy load of FHD footage or something similar. I'll let you know how that goes. 🙂

fadedorca66 said:Have you tried running it on the integrated graphics? Also, what kind of power supply are you using (brand and model)?

If it’s still freezing up, I guess you didn't actually fix anything, just made it slightly less terrible...

The PSU itself is solid, but I was wondering if I should tweak my power settings to something other than High Performance (which is what I have set now)? Or is that likely irrelevant here? 🤔

Though, for the moment, I don't think that's necessary. 😉

Doesn't really matter, might as well just set it to High Performance since you're on a desktop anyway.

How can you even tell if the power supply is okay?

I agree, I think setting it to High Performance makes more sense. 😛

fadedorca66 said:Doesn't really matter, might as well just set it to High Performance since you're on a desktop anyway.

How can you even tell if the power supply is okay?

The PSU was perfectly fine before, and after some folks on the Forum suggested it might be the culprit for a similar issue I had, I went ahead and bought a new one. So, technically, the power supply is actually newer than the PC itself, and even the computer isn't that old. 😉
The guys at the repair shop tried to push new Windows installations on me immediately—just "bring it in and we'll handle it"—😒but we saw right through that tactic. 👍Windows is great, but it's hardly some Bill Gates miracle cure for everything. 😁

I don't want to start a whole new thread, but I've got this annoying issue popping up on me. Almost every single day while I'm working, my PC just completely freezes up out of nowhere. The screen gets these weird lines running across it, and then—bam—the mouse and keyboard just stop responding entirely. Everything is totally locked up! I usually have to force restart it a couple of times before it actually starts acting normal again... any idea what could be causing this? THANKS!

Chris Flores6 said:I don't want to start a whole new thread, but I've got this annoying issue popping up on me. Almost every single day while I'm working, my PC just completely freezes up out of nowhere. The screen gets these weird lines running across it, and then—bam—the mouse and keyboard just stop responding entirely. Everything is totally locked up! I usually have to force restart it a couple of times before it actually starts acting normal again... any idea what could be causing this? THANKS!

Here is the breakdown of possibilities:

1) The video memory or the GPU chip itself is on its deathbed.
2) There is an issue with the power delivery to the graphics card, whether it's a loose connection or a failing PSU.

Potentially 3) the hard drive is dying, or there is a faulty connection to the drive, or 4) you're dealing with faulty RAM; however, in my experience, points 3 and 4 usually result in a simple freeze without those visual artifacts, though you can never be entirely certain.

The most straightforward approach is to swap out the graphics card for a used one just to test the waters and see how the system reacts, while simultaneously cleaning off any grime from the main power connectors.

Chris Flores6 said:I don't want to start a whole new thread, but I've got this annoying issue popping up on me. Almost every single day while I'm working, my PC just completely freezes up out of nowhere. The screen gets these weird lines running across it, and then—bam—the mouse and keyboard just stop responding entirely. Everything is totally locked up! I usually have to force restart it a couple of times before it actually starts acting normal again... any idea what could be causing this? THANKS!

Normally, I’d tell you that starting a new thread is fine, but in this case, you really don't need to, 👍 because what you're describing sounds remarkably similar to a headache I used to deal with. It's highly likely we're looking at the same culprit. Try what I did:

restlessdrifter4 said:On a side note, I can confirm that reseating the RAM modules (using 2 of the 4 slots) actually helped. I'm not sure if it would have been better to try different slots entirely? 🤔 I placed them where they are because it feels like they shield those empty slots from the direct airflow of the fan, which might help prevent dust buildup. 😛

That said, I should report that Windows isn't running perfectly just yet. Occasionally, while the system is still warming up, the computer will reboot (about once every five times), though it usually recovers and settles down. It’s as if the machine is trying to assert its dominance. 😁

One final detail: very rarely, the screen will freeze, and my heart skips a beat; "here we go again, I'm screwed," 😲is roughly what crosses my mind. 😛
However, after a few mouse clicks, it eventually recovers, which is an improvement over the hard restarts I was getting before. 😢 It freezes for maybe a second or two, and then it makes this strange little sound, "tee—tee- teeeee-yuuu", almost like a sound effect from a video game, even though restlessdrifter4 has never installed any games on this PC. (Nobody's perfect, I suppose.) 😁

Dear colleagues, thank you all for the support. Moving forward, I would appreciate strictly professional and technical advice, similar to the quality I've received so far 👍 rather than suggestions like spray some WD-40 on it or similar antics. Let's leave those kinds of topics for other threads. 😁

Whether the screen just freezes or the whole system restarts, it's essentially the same symptom. Just try reseating the memory first—it's the easiest fix and it might solve everything. 😛

restlessdrifter4 said:
I know none of this is particularly heavy lifting for the computer right now; the real test will be when I start editing video using a ton of HD footage or something along those lines. I'll let you know how it goes once I do.. 🙂

Well, I've been putting it through its paces lately, and I can confirm the PC is running like a charm. 👍
I was using Adobe Premiere Pro to edit a massive pile of HD video files, and there wasn't a single hitch or freeze. 🙏 🙂