Computer Restarts Twice Before Getting to Desktop

[jgmc3]

My friend was subject to the bad ARM update which disabled his computer.
I recovered all his data and reinstalled windows 10

He now has to start the computer twice to use it, it works fine after that.


Any ideas?
I said to him today, I was going to try reinstalling widows or doing a factory reset, when I have time to get to his house.

Thanks

[Compton]

try repairing master boot record

[Timster]

(02-03-2018, 06:41 PM)jgmc3 Wrote:  He now has to start the computer twice to use it, it works fine after that.

Can you explain in detail about what happens when he tries to boot the first time. Does the computer POST on the first try? Does it get to the login the first time?

[jgmc3]

(02-04-2018, 03:50 PM)Timster Wrote:  

(02-03-2018, 06:41 PM)jgmc3 Wrote:  He now has to start the computer twice to use it, it works fine after that.

Can you explain in detail about what happens when he tries to boot the first time. Does the computer POST on the first try? Does it get to the login the first time?

I'm not 100% sure, I've just got your message and have also just sent him a text asking your question, will reply with his answer soon.

[jgmc3]

(02-04-2018, 08:47 PM)jgmc3 Wrote:  

(02-04-2018, 03:50 PM)Timster Wrote:  

(02-03-2018, 06:41 PM)jgmc3 Wrote:  He now has to start the computer twice to use it, it works fine after that.

Can you explain in detail about what happens when he tries to boot the first time. Does the computer POST on the first try? Does it get to the login the first time?

I'm not 100% sure, I've just got your message and have also just sent him a text asking your question, will reply with his answer soon.

Hi, I got a text this morning, the windows logo on start up is fuzzy, then the screen goes black and stays black, he has to turn off the pc and start it again, after that it works fine till he shuts it down.

[Britec]

Try clearing the CMOS by removing the battery for a minute or so.

[jgmc3]

(02-05-2018, 11:28 AM)Britec Wrote:  Try clearing the CMOS by removing the battery for a minute or so.

ok thanks, will try that.

[jgmc3]

(02-05-2018, 11:28 AM)Britec Wrote:  Try clearing the CMOS by removing the battery for a minute or so.

Hi Brian, I tried your suggestion but it made no difference other than alert me of the possible issue.
Because I had to set the BIOS up again, I noticed the GPU was set to PCI.. However I tried setting it to PCIE but that made no difference but on further inspection, I think the card he bought is a PCI in a PCIE slot but it does work as normal on the second boot and there's no error showing on the boot screen. Also is it possible to put a PCI into PCIE, it's been so long since I've plugged the former in so not 100% sure. That may have something to do with it.

I've just sent him a text asking for a link to the card he bought just to confirm what it is. However I still have his original card here at my house to try and then set the bios to pcie, that's worth a shot.

This all started with a bad update for an amd cpu issue, ARM update I think it was, perhaps the correct fix is out now and needs to be installed. It's an old Dell desktop, DDR2 but he only uses it for work, emails, listening to bands on YouTube, google searches, that's it, his daughter has her tablet so he's not interested in paying out for anything modern.

Thanks for your help and hope you all of the above makes sense, perhaps I'm on the right road?

[Britec]

There is many reasons why this could happen. Because this is a very old system ie: DDR2 I would suggest you check all the hardware first.

Other things to check

1. RAM is a common cause for this type of thing.
2. Disable Secure Boot in BIOS
3. Remove any FAST Boot options in BIOS
4. Type powercfg.cpl in search and remove tick for "Turn on fast startup"
5. Could be a BAD PSU Power Supply
6. Replace CMOS battery, when they start to fail, they can't hold information or not enough volts.
7. Check for BAD or Blown caps on the motherboard 
   

Get back to me when these are done.