How to Fix Computer Startup Error

There’s nothing more frustrating than a computer that won’t start. Solving computer startup errors is not easy because there are many interfering factors, both hardware and software. Locating a quick diagnosis will save you a lot of time dealing with this problem.

Table of Contents

Steps

Diagnosing the Problem

Try to turn on the computer. The first step to determining what to do is to turn on the computer.

Click on one of the following links, depending on your machine’s status:

Unresponsive – Click here if you can’t hear the fan running or the screen light up, or the computer just turned on has been frozen or shut down.
Beep or POST error message – Click here if the computer does not pass the POST (Power On Self Test) stage. An indication of this condition is a beep or error message, or a series of beeps forming an error code. ^{[1] X Research Source}
Operating System Not Found or Missing BOOTMGR – Click here if your computer completes the boot sequence but cannot load Windows.

Fix Computer Won’t Start

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Check the power cable. It sounds simple, but try to double check the power cable to see if it’s plugged in, the socket is working.

Plug the computer directly into the wall power to see if the surge protector or power plug is the cause of the problem.
If you are using a laptop, make sure the charger is connected securely.

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Remove the computer battery and connect to the charger. You can use your laptop without a battery as long as you plug it in. If the computer runs normally when the battery is removed, there is a problem with the battery. Contact the manufacturer for a battery replacement.

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Replace the screen. If the computer boots but you can’t see anything, the monitor may be damaged. Check the connection to the monitor again, try plugging the computer into another monitor if possible.

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Open Computer. To check the internal connection and power supply, you need to remove the computer case. You can refer to more articles online to know how to remove the case.

Don’t forget to ground yourself with an antistatic ring or touch a metal object before coming into contact with the internal components.

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Check the power cable. Make sure that the power supply cable (mains cable junction box) to the motherboard is securely connected.

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Check the power supply. The old power supply is easily damaged, and the way to check it is not difficult. Power supply is a common cause of a computer not booting. You can refer to more about how to check from articles on the internet.

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Replace the power supply. If the power supply is damaged, you should replace it with a new one to keep the computer working properly. You can refer to how to change the power supply from articles on the internet.

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Check for loose screws. If the screw on the case is loose, it may damage the motherboard. Gently shake the case to hear the metal bump. Use tweezers or your hand to remove loose screws from the case.

Check to see if any cables have lost their protection, exposing exposed wires can also cause short circuits. Replace the cable that has been damaged too much.

Fix POST Error

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Listen to the beep code. If “lucky”, your computer will emit a series of beeps when it cannot start. Find the motherboard manufacturer to translate the beep code. Knowing the meaning of the code will help you to detect the error of the machine. ^{[2] X Research Source}

The Beep code of each manufacturer is different, so you have to look it up yourself.
You can refer to how to determine the motherboard manufacturer online.

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Try opening the BIOS. If possible, enter the BIOS setup menu as soon as the computer boots. Usually press the F2 , F10 , F11 and Del keys to enter the BIOS.

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Check if all hardware is detected. BIOS will show all software connections in MONITOR (monitor), HARDWARE (hardware) or SYSTEM (system). Please check if the displayed hard drive is correct.

If the hard drive is not visible, try replacing the cable inside the computer.

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Open Computer. To check the components in your computer, you need to remove the case. Unplug the wires behind the body and remove the side shield to see the internal components.

Don’t forget to ground yourself by wearing an electrostatic ring or by touching metal materials before touching the internal components of the machine.

Fix Windows Won’t Start

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Open the Advanced Startup menu (Windows 7 and later). If you can’t load Windows, you can try to fix the problem using Startup Repair. You can get to this from the Advanced Startup menu on Windows 7 or later. If you’re using Windows Vista or XP, you’ll need to boot from the installation disc to access the Startup Repair tool. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

You can open the Advanced Startup menu by pressing the F8 key when the machine boots up.
If you can’t get to the Advanced Startup menu, you may have a hardware problem. Refer to the method above to fix the problem.

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Select “Repair Your Computer” or “Launch Startup Repair”. You have to wait a while for the machine to load the necessary files.

Warning

Since many devices are plugged directly into the wall power, if during the test you smell ozone or burning plastic, or hear a clicking sound, unplug it immediately. Unless you know how to safely repair electrical equipment, leave it to a professional.
Always turn off the machine and unplug it before touching the computer, installing or removing any part of it.
Wear an anti-static ring or ground yourself by touching the case before inspecting the internals.