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Question

Black screen for 2 minutes before getting to BIOS/Windows

Feb 1, 2015 4:04AM PST

Never seen this before. Every time my mom turns on her computer, it just hangs at a black screen for about two minutes. It DOES have a tiny white bar, like the text indicator thing, in the top left corner of the screen, but it doesn't blink, and you can't type anything.

After about two minutes, it flashes to the motherboard screen giving you the BIOS options (you know, "Press F12 for boot", then goes to start Windows up.

Anyone ever seen this happen before? Is her computer possessed? Is there something wrong with her motherboard hookups? Should we cleanse it with fire?

Please help.

Discussion is locked

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Answer
Yes.
Feb 1, 2015 4:06AM PST

The machine had both onboard and a video card. It was setup oddly. There's other causes like a CD or other drive that is failing and the BIOS is locked up scanning for the drive and timing out eventually.
Bob

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Thanks, but...
Feb 1, 2015 5:15AM PST

Thanks for the tip! Unfortunately, I'm not sure that's the problem. There's no dedicated card: It's just the onboard video. There are three drives in the computer: A CD drive, an HDD, and a SSD that I just put in. I tried unplugging each of them one by one, and trying it with just the SSD or HDD. Still get the same problem.

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Then check for any USB drives/printers (unplug)
Feb 1, 2015 5:28AM PST

I don't see any make/model to see if this has known reports.
Bob

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Answer
replace bios battery
Feb 1, 2015 5:35AM PST

just some thoughts....

you can try replacing the mb battery and see if bad battery causing it. Otherwise, open the case and make sure it is dust free, all cables and cards are securely connected - not just the drives. be sure to check the power supply cables. There is also a chance the power supply could be going bad. If the computer is on a surge protector, bypass it to see if it helps.