Troubleshoot BIOS Frozen and Unresponsive

[RiguyX]

First of all, sorry if this belongs in Software Help instead. I wasn't quite sure where to put this one.

Two days ago, I attempted to install Ubuntu 17.04 on my Windows 10 custom PC. The Ubuntu install screen didn't appear; instead, there were green and purple lines and random characters. I decided to leave the computer on overnight, and in the morning, I restarted it. This caused the computer to freeze on the BIOS setup screen.

My PC's build is:
Monitor - Acer G226HQL 1080P
CPU - ASUS Z97-A/USB 3.1
RAM - 2x 16GB Corsair Vengeance
GPU - NVidia GTX 970
Disc - Samsung 250GB SSD
Power/Cooling - Thermaltake SMART 750W

I was able to access the BIOS setup at one point, but I reset it to default settings and it continued to act as it had before. I've tried removing one stick of RAM and will try unplugging the SSD if it is necessary. (It's hard to access the cables there, and I don't want to take apart my computer more than I have to.)

EDIT: I've also tried to flash the BIOS via a USB (formatted FAT16) with a BIOS update downloaded from ASUS support. The computer did not boot to the USB.

 

[shmu26]

I have this problem with my BIOS, too. It is probably a problem with the BIOS chip.
Try this:
1 before going to sleep at night, power down the PC, disconnect the power cord, and press the power button for five seconds (to drain all electricity)
2 next morning, try booting into bios. and when it gets stuck, go eat breakfast.
3 come back, click on the bios menu you want, then go take a shower while it loads
4 keep taking breaks after every stage, until bios loads the next step.
5 after you set up your BIOS, be aware that at some random point in the future it might revert to default settings.

 

[RiguyX]

Thanks! I'll start that ASAP.

 

[Vasudev]

Try removing one RAM stick and start the PC. Repeat this for the removed RAM stick as well so the issue could be Bad RAM.

 

[SHvFl]

You have a fairly new motherboard and because it's 99% a faulty motherboard send it in for repair before the warranty expires.

 

[Vasudev]

Try the U-Clip method for PSU, if it passes your board needs to be sent back to ASUS.

 

[RiguyX]

I've solved the problem! It turns out the hard drive has problems. I've formatted it, and my PC should be fixed in a moment. Thanks for the advice, everyone!

 

[shmu26]

I've solved the problem! It turns out the hard drive has problems. I've formatted it, and my PC should be fixed in a moment. Thanks for the advice, everyone!

Glad to hear you are solving your hard drive problems, but it still does not explain why BIOS was getting stuck. BIOS starts up before the hard drive. Even if you have no hard drive at all, the BIOS should still work.

 

[Vasudev]

Glad to hear you are solving your hard drive problems, but it still does not explain why BIOS was getting stuck. BIOS starts up before the hard drive. Even if you have no hard drive at all, the BIOS should still work.

Bad sectors that cause quick SMART test to fail.
@RiguyX Check your HDD using HD Sentinel. Try SMART's Quick Test if it fails you have bad drive and replace it ASAP.