OK fellow computer geeks.....HELP

[Terryl]

Hi peeps....Well I have customer with a funny problem in an HP Lenovo ThinkCenter M92

It has a start up problem, it will power cycle on and off on and off till the AC power plug is pulled, try and restart it and it will do the same.

I have tested the power supply, changed RAM, changed the hard drive (after cloning it) and even the DVD player, they test in another system all OK.

The only way to start it up and get it to boot is to first remove one of the RAM sticks, (weird) then power it up, it then will boot fine...But...Till you power it down and restart it, it then goes back into the power up/down cycle problem.. Pull the power cord and re-install the RAM stick it will then boot just fine, until the next power down...Then the problem comes back.

I'm beating my head against the wall on this one kids.....

[The Noof]

This is a laptop I believe?If so have you tried it without the battery just using the AC power?

[really_troubled]

sounds like a BIOS issue

did you check to see if there is an update for the BIOS ?

if the BIOS is up to date check to see if that computer has a separate memory controller that requires an update

[steveOtoo]

What OS are we using : If Windows >
Step 1: Open Windows Memory Diagnostic by searching for it in the Start menu's search bar. Then, click “Restart now and check for problems”. Step 2: Your PC will shut down and you'll be treated to the sight of a blue screen for many, many minutes as Windows Memory Diagnostic searches for RAM issues.

[auggie]

I suggest swapping the Memory into different slots, from reading on forums the PC may have gotten a power surge (lightning)
Also have a look here hxxps://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/ht081786-some-thinkcentre-and-thinkstation-systems-may-fail-to-complete-post-and-then-power-off-automatically-thinkcentrethinkstation

The solution stated here seemed to work ?

[Terryl]

This is a laptop I believe?If so have you tried it without the battery just using the AC power?


No it is a desktop PC

[Terryl]

sounds like a BIOS issue

did you check to see if there is an update for the BIOS ?

if the BIOS is up to date check to see if that computer has a separate memory controller that requires an update

Checking it as we speak.....

[Terryl]

I suggest swapping the Memory into different slots, from reading on forums the PC may have gotten a power surge (lightning)
Also have a look here hxxps://support.lenovo.com/us/en/solutions/ht081786-some-thinkcentre-and-thinkstation-systems-may-fail-to-complete-post-and-then-power-off-automatically-thinkcentrethinkstation

The solution stated here seemed to work ?

Well that trashed it, now nothing..........

[The Noof]

Well that trashed it, now nothing..........

Now you sound like an old time tester:keep fixing it 'till it's totally broke!

[steveOtoo]

Good thing you cloned that HDD...........................boat anchor and probably the last time you'll ask for help around here :flyaway:

[Terryl]

I think I got it, I downloaded a BIOS recovery/update program for that PC to a USB drive, changed to boot from the USB and rebooted, it found a problem, then applied and update, looks to be working for now....except for the power on/off problem, got to look into that one.

[The Noof]

I think I got it, I downloaded a BIOS recovery/update program for that PC to a USB drive, changed to boot from the USB and rebooted, it found a problem, then applied and update, looks to be working for now....except for the power on/off problem, got to look into that one.

Good job bro.

[Ryu]

just curious hows thermal paste looking? maybe cleaning and putting some new might help. :)

had issue with desktop long ago when I tried to clean and removed ram and started issue like you ar having. some day turned on and most of the time shuts down. found dried thermal paste. applied new and all good.

[Terryl]

Thats one of the first things I checked.

[Ryu]

so I would say remove both rams and clean them good. some times dust can create issue. :)

and dont forget to check and clean ram slot area as well :)

[Terryl]

I think the ram sticks are clean and the same with the sockets as I have inserted and removed them countless times. (and yes I have been very careful of static problems)

I have run a complete system test downloaded from the manufacture, it ran every test you can think of, ram, CPU, motherboard, hard disk, DVD player SATA connections and anything else in that PC, all tested out fine....The only thing it could not test is the power supply, and I cant test it as it has a 14 pin main motherboard connector, my power supply tester has the standard 24 pin, I have ordered an adapter cable (24 pin to 14) to try a standard PC power supply, (I have several good ones lying around) if that works then it's a google search for a replacement PS.

I hope this is the problem as I'm getting quite tired of working on this one, and I really cant give it back half working.

[auggie]

So you might be looking for this: hxxps://www.ebay.com/itm/143445973270 used

or this one: hxxps://www.ebay.ca/itm/185539208239?epid=26011047635&hash=item2b32ffa42f:g:RawAAOSw3nli-n0Q&amdata=enc%3AAQAHAAAAwFI2qmuAERGd9Grg5XqU1%2B0xE9j iCdwjqLjy9NeQe5phbxGWWOYC8EHNoAN3r5i9SqUNHFkdvbFn7 CWW0OdTt90pVwalRhCOjvQqgcppxATcHXDWRBlPhO%2FuqW0JJ i1VNUtvUPwPeu9WJUNVVqMkdQqpQwHrFr4oDk1e4yFU3GtDNY7 zhtyGNcLz6zBhQqnDwfb%2FQf%2BpzcKnluaJMR0y%2BMJFhHn goXQN9ZZS92aOeoFCxg%2FT62zKa1YRFef0Zvw5qg%3D%3D%7C tkp%3ABk9SR4KP862DYQ Open Box/New

[ttboy]

Unknown if this program has any spyware. So use at own risk.
I have a program called Core Temp
It will show you temp of individual cores. 'C or 'F, as well as load.
Power of Graphics and DRAM etc.
Shows your TDP.
Also the VID and frequency of each core.
Also shows the individual numbers in the Taskbar.
It may also be a program someone created that just changes the numbers every once and a while, and just looks like it is working.

[Terryl]

Yah Auggie, I found one on the US eBay, it's on it's way, guaranteed good and tested. (I hope)

And ttboy, I use a similar program, it shows just about everything for the CPU, I can't remember the name as I'm not on the test PC.

[dishuser]

I used to use speedfan years ago
am pretty sure it does the same

[auggie]

Yah Auggie, I found one on the US eBay, it's on it's way, guaranteed good and tested. (I hope)

And ttboy, I use a similar program, it shows just about everything for the CPU, I can't remember the name as I'm not on the test PC.

Terryl Did you solve that PC problem with New PS you ordered off of US eBay ?

[Terryl]

Well sorry I havent been back to this thread, but the power supply was not the problem, after conversations with the CS tech I found out that the motherboard was the problem.

Testing found that the +12 DC voltage to the CPU was too low, it should have been closer to +12 volts but was measured at +9 volts, what we could not figure out was why it worked after a ram change out, (add or subtract a stick) further testing found that the +12 volt voltage comparator chip was at fault, it would detect the DC load change and reset, but when you turn the PC off and back on it would look at the stored voltages and say "oooh thats not right" and not let the PC to post.

Found a new motherboard on Ebay for $38, replaced it and the PC worked fine, customer was very happy as it was 1000% faster with the new SSD drive then before with the old hard drive.

This motherboard has onboard DC voltage regulators for the +12, +5, +3 and -5 voltages,(voltage inverter) it's not like a normal PC motherboard that gets it's DC voltages from a standard PC power supply.

[Gates07]

not trying to highjack this thread, but i noticed a few days ago that when i go online using firefox in the upper right corner i have a new icon "Privacy Badger", do not know where it came from, seems to slow down everything, i think its part of M/S Edge, i can not find a way to get rid of this snoopy program, any suggestions?? I'm still using win7 and getting M/S updates, this computer is to old to update to anything but otherwise works fine

[Terryl]

It's an add on to FF, it's an add blocking program, you should be able to remove it.


https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/1111133

How it got there is anyone's guess.

[auggie]

not trying to highjack this thread, but i noticed a few days ago that when i go online using firefox in the upper right corner i have a new icon "Privacy Badger", do not know where it came from, seems to slow down everything, i think its part of M/S Edge, i can not find a way to get rid of this snoopy program, any suggestions?? I'm still using win7 and getting M/S updates, this computer is to old to update to anything but otherwise works fine

To remove it ("Privacy Badger") Left click on the 3-Lines top right corner Firefox, box opens go down to add-ons/themes
click on extensions, box opens, Privacy Badger should be listed there, if you want to disable it move the slider (Blue) to the left
If you want to remove it completely click on the 3-dots beside the slider & "Remove"

[Gates07]

thanks Auggie, would never have found it by myself

[Terryl]

OK friends, I have a new problem (well almost new) on a different computer, this one is a Dell running windows 7 pro, it's up to date as possible, all drivers are good, nothing shows up in any of the widows reports, so the problem is that at random times it will just lock up.

You have to do a long press of the power button to get it to shut down, then start it up in safe mode, then re-start it to get back to the main OS, I have checked and rechecked the OS, I can't find anything wrong, unfortunately I can't format and reload the OS as this one came with the OS embedded in the hard drive.

I have tried the onboard OS repair options and cant find anything wrong, the customer has ordered a new PC with windows 10 pro, and I have lent her my laptop to use till the new one comes in, so there is no big rush to fix this one, but would like to try and find out what the heck is going on with it.

Does anyone know of a hardware test program or software that could look a bit deeper into the motherboard,(and other hardware) I'm thinking there may be something wrong or some over heating chip and thats causing the lockup.

[Terryl]

P. S. I have no problems with others using this thread to trouble shoot a computer problem of there own or someone else's, I like tiring to fix this stuff, and hope others can pitch in, or present a problem we can all take a hack at.

[auggie]

Terryl You say it Locks up, are you getting "BSOD" (Blue Screen) or anything ?
have a Look in Event Viewer, see if anything in there might point to what's going on
Also you might try a program called WhoCrashed or Bluescreen to Maybe solve your problem ?

you may want to look in Device manager, see if any Conflicts are showing (faulty drivers etc.)
Does it Hang, Freeze, running in Safe Mode for any length of Time ?

[The Noof]

OK friends, I have a new problem (well almost new) on a different computer, this one is a Dell running windows 7 pro, it's up to date as possible, all drivers are good, nothing shows up in any of the widows reports, so the problem is that at random times it will just lock up.

You have to do a long press of the power button to get it to shut down, then start it up in safe mode, then re-start it to get back to the main OS, I have checked and rechecked the OS, I can't find anything wrong, unfortunately I can't format and reload the OS as this one came with the OS embedded in the hard drive.

I have tried the onboard OS repair options and cant find anything wrong, the customer has ordered a new PC with windows 10 pro, and I have lent her my laptop to use till the new one comes in, so there is no big rush to fix this one, but would like to try and find out what the heck is going on with it.

Does anyone know of a hardware test program or software that could look a bit deeper into the motherboard,(and other hardware) I'm thinking there may be something wrong or some over heating chip and thats causing the lockup.

Have you tried to get a mem-dump at time of crash?
Enable memory dump setting
In Control Panel, select System and Security > System.
Select Advanced system settings, and then select the Advanced tab.
In the Startup and Recovery area, select Settings.
Make sure that Kernel memory dump or Complete memory dump is selected under Writing Debugging Information.

[Terryl]

Yup tried that, and also tried it will the front cover off and a desk fan blowing on it, it still locked up, CPU temps show normal,(39 degrees C) and I don't think anything else could be heating up not with a fan blowing on it.

The funny thing is that it will run for several hours or more and then poof, total lock up.

[auggie]

Yup tried that, and also tried it will the front cover off and a desk fan blowing on it, it still locked up, CPU temps show normal,(39 degrees C) and I don't think anything else could be heating up not with a fan blowing on it.

The funny thing is that it will run for several hours or more and then poof, total lock up.

So do you believe it is a hardware issue or Software one ? is there any Sata stuff being used, just for Giggles see if
any sata cable/cables might be Loose etc.

[Terryl]

Good idea, it has two SSD 1 TB drives in it, the main one (the C drive) holds the OS, take a look at it later, too cold out to go over.

[auggie]

I had that happen to me a while back, so I changed all my Sata cables to the ones that have the clips
so that you know you have a Solid connection.

[Terryl]

Well checked all the cables, and even used some new ones,(with clips) no change. it locked up in about 2 hours, cycled the power and it worked for about half a day.

This is a funny one, I will be able to bring it home to the lab for testing once the new PC gets in the door and transfer some data.

Looking for a thermal camera to see if anything is heating up on the motherboard, will pull the CPU out and reapply some new thermal grease, I have some of that good silver bearing stuff, may also trade out the power supply to see if that may fix it up.

[auggie]

Does it Lock-Up when Running in safe Mode, and no other stuff plugged in (Bare Bones) ?

[Terryl]

I will try that when I get it to my lab.

[auggie]

Could this have anything to do with it ? hxxps://support.microsoft.com/en-us/topic/computer-stops-responding-when-you-run-an-application-that-uses-the-windows-filtering-platform-api-in-windows-7-windows-server-2008-r2-windows-server-2008-or-windows-vista-7e37fbbb-7fc8-a41e-6fd1-75f554501992

[Terryl]

Hummm, I will have to look into that one, but wouldn't I see some sort of error info in the windows system logs?

[auggie]

Hummm, I will have to look into that one, but wouldn't I see some sort of error info in the windows system logs?

According to what I have read etc. Not always does it show up, worth a look anyways, Hope you get it sorted out.

One other thing that might cause your Lock-ups or issue is Multiple Antivirus Programs conflicting with each-other

most Dell PC's have AV's already installed so if the user installs their own, it can cause issues at times ?

[Terryl]

Been using Avast and Malwarebytes (both premium packages) for years, no problems with ether one conflicting with each other.

And more info, it still did it when in safe mode, and after looking through all the system logs I find no errors or problems listed, so I'm back to thinking something is wrong on the MB, new PC will be here by the 2nd, will find out more when I get it home to the lab.

[auggie]

Ok, I do Know Malwarebytes doesn't Like/work well with IOBIT Stuff, they don't like each other

and it doesn't like some of the Antivirus programs either, not sure about Avast though.

[auggie]

have a look here: hxxps://support.malwarebytes.com/hc/en-us/articles/360051090194-Issues-running-other-security-applications-and-Malwarebytes-for-Windows

[steveOtoo]

I use both Avast and Malewarebytes but i go to Task manager and kill Malewarebytes process. I can bring up Malewarebytes when i need it.......

[hotplay]

will pull the CPU out and reapply some new thermal grease, I have some of that good silver bearing stuff, may also trade out the power supply to see if that may fix it up. I had the same problem awhile ago, I forget what the answer was, I did the CPU grease. Not sure if it was a bad stick of ram or the power pack as I changed both out.

[auggie]

I use both Avast and Malewarebytes but i go to Task manager and kill Malewarebytes process. I can bring up Malewarebytes when i need it.......

I stopped using Malwarebytes awhile ago, do to it being a Big Resource Hog

[dishuser]

give hitman pro a try

[auggie]

I stopped using Malwarebytes awhile ago, do to it being a Big Resource Hog

I currently use Emsisoft Internet Security, Antivirus, Malware, firewall, Plus extra's ALL-IN-ONE

[dishuser]

also ipvanish gives you vipre

C&P
With VIPRE, your computer will be guarded with a number of Antivirus features, including real time scans and malware, spyware, and ransomware detection and removal. VIPRE also updates automatically to ensure there are no lapses in your protection.