Computer stuck on Bios boot

[Robert7128]

Hello everyone.

I have an HP H8-1241 computer and recently it has started to get stuck in the blue Bios startup window after a computer reboot. I have not added any new hardware (still has all the original hardware) or installed any new software. If I just happen to restart the computer, about 50% of the time I encounter this problem.

Once it happens, it doesn't matter how many times I power off the computer, it just doesn't pass the initial boot screen and it doesn't even attempt to start loading Windows. The only way to fix it is to remove power to the computer, and remove the cell battery. After I re-insert the battery and reboot the computer everything is fine. Then later on if I restart the computer the problem reoccurs.

I have even replace the bios battery without any success.

Did anyone encounter this problem or have any idea what might be wrong?

Thank you in advance.

[Grzwacz]

Hi Robert

Do you see any operating system error messages when the PC finally loads Windows? Do you see the same behavior when cold booting the PC?

Start troubleshooting by running HP Vision Hardware Diagnostics. It would not hurt to check windows system files to cover that as a potential cause.

Have you ever replaced the motherboard battery? The batteries usually last from seven to ten years. Is the PC having any problem keeping the current time? Any other strange behavior when windows is running?

You are resetting CMOS every time you remove and replace the motherboard battery.

Some component is not communicating with the BIOS at boot. This causes the PC to not POST and finish loading windows. This could be a device problem or a problem with the BIOS or motherboard voltage regulation.

Could be anything that is causing this:

Memory

HDD

Power Supply 

CR2032 MB battery is failing

Grzy

[Robert7128]

Hello Grzy, this problem showed up first time I tried to install a new hard drive (second one in the case in order to create an image of the original drive. Then I had to also remove the battery in order for the bios to post. Since then I removed the second drive, the original one being in the system now.

I have done scans of the original drive to make sure there are no problems with it.

What I find strange is that now just by restarting the computer, after a Windows update, it does the same thing. Once I reinsert the battery and Windows loads, I get no errors whatsoever.

Adding the second drive could have stress the power supply? but if that would be the case, wouldn't this problem be persistent?

Thank you.

[Grzwacz]

Hi Robert

Thanks for the additional information.

Adding a second HDD would normally not cause this problem.

Have you tried setting BIOS to defaults?

What program were you going to use to create a backup image after installing the second HDD?

What happens when you shut down the PC and then do a cold start by depressing the power switch?

Have seen many coincidental system failures or system instability which, unfortunately, happens when you are changing hardware or installing software. Often there is no correlation between the two events.

Again, your PC is failing to shake hands with the operating system for some reason.

You have to look at each component to find the problem.

It could be something simple. It is good to run the PC bare bones to see if the problem stops happening.

Only connect the keyboard, mouse, and monitor. Then only connect the monitor. Disconnect the primary HDD. See if you can get a boot disk error. Make sure the primary HDD is on SATA0 or SATA1. This depends on how the SATA ports are labeled on the motherboard.

Pull the RAM. See if you get an error message. Try different RAM. Try installing Windows 7 on the second HDD.

Try a different graphics card. Or use onboard graphics if you have a discreet graphics card installed on the motherboard.

You have to start swapping components to find the one that is causing the system to hang at boot time. It gets expensive.

Sometimes it is easier and less expensive to have a local tech troubleshoot the PC.

Grzy

[Grzwacz]

Robert

When is the last time you cleaned the PC with compressed air?

Excessive dust buildup on fans and components can cause all kinds of strange stuff.

Examine the motherboard and graphics card for bulging or leaking capacitors or any indication of damage that may be caused by excessive temps.

Grzy

[Robert7128]

Hello again Grzy.

wouldn't replacing the battery reset the bios to Default Settings?

The backup I use for creating images is Acronis.

Doing a cold start is the only way to get out of the locked up state. Doing the 3 finger salute doesn't work so I have to use the power button to restart.

The computer was cleaned with compressed air maybe a week or so before this problem started to show up, now that I start to think about it. Maybe I blew a part of the board with the compressed air.

The problem of troubleshooting this system is that it hosts a point of sales on it and it cannot be down during the business hours..

Thank you.

[Grzwacz]

Hi Robert

You are welcome.

Yes, replacing the MB battery will reset the BIOS.

Powering the system on too soon after using compressed air could be a problem. I don't think you would do that!

Requiring dedicated up time in a production environment does create a dilemma.

The locked blue HP screen indicates the PC is not completing POST and is not successfuly handing control of the hardware to the operating system.

I'm  guessing you can't enter the BIOS when this happens.

The PC is in trouble. I believe you are on the path to a complete system failure.

You need technical support.

Grzy