I've had this same problem with my PC that I've had for about a year now. Every time it boots up, it normally takes typically 3-4 attempts to successfully load windows, due to what seems to be a graphics issue (lots of odd blue lines all over the screen, with very funky graphics over the windows logo when loading.) If the PC has been on recently it will not do this, but simply boot and load windows successfully with one attempt. I should note that I have had multiple high quality 500W+ power supplies to test, and the same issue has occurred with each one. Once Windows has loaded, everything seems to be fine, with the exception of my onboard sound. Any audio device hooked up to my motherboard sound card will almost always work only on the left speaker, until I tap a certain part of the case, and then it typically plays on both left and right. It normally will not stay this way, and the right speaker will begin to make a lot of static, until a few moments later the sound has completely stopped from the right speaker again (and only playing from the left.) I'm assuming the booting issue and speaker problems are connected. From my basic knowledge of how the motherboard's grounding to the metal case works with the power, I'm gathering that there may be a grounding problem with the pins on the motherboard. If I tap a certain part of the case (and the part is different almost every time-either side or top of case)the sound will normally play on both sides. I've been able to live with this, and have not given it much concern as I've grown accustomed to this for about a year now since I bought this CPU/Motherboard/Case combo (the case came with the motherboard already installed with the CPU, and I can see where not all of the motherboard's holes for mounting screws are used on the case.) What has me worried now though, is that the other day I could not get any display device to come on with the computer on (nothing will display on either monitor or TV,) even though all parts are getting power, and I could tell that the OS is loading when I turn on the computer. I managed to get it to come back on now, but I fear this may happen again, and could later cause serious damage. This is a very cheap case, can bend very easily (I have many dents on the side and top from hitting it to get the sound back on.) A new case would not be a major issue, nor would getting a new motherboard really, if that's what it took. Would not using all of the places for mounting screws on a motherboard cause these problems I have described? Could this cause serious damage to any/all components? Thanks.

It certainly would help if you listed the system specs rather than speaking generically. Here's a decent case: http://shop4.outpost.com/product/50...

"from hitting it" a good way to destroy a hard drive and shock other components, maybe build a new PC and stop thumping it ??

Stop thumping it...good idea! Really only have to slightly tap it to get the sound to work, but still not a good thing I'm sure. This is what I get probably for getting a cheap case and motherboard. I spent at the time around $350 for a 7950GT graphics card but didn't want to spend over $100 for a motherboard/case combo (no name case, very cheap ECS motherboard.)

Nothing wrong with ECS boards. Once again, you didn't bother to list your specs. I'd be particularly interested in what you consider to be a "high quality 500W+ power supply". The 7950GT is a power hungry card & it would be best paired up with a PSU that has a single +12v rail with an amperage rating in excess of 30A. For example: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...