Unsure if hardware or software problem, with dead system

About the time of the MS Sept 2020 update, not sure of date so don't know if it's just a coincidence, I started having problems with my desktop. The monitor would show a lot of pixelation, then would just freeze. Required powering off to end it. This happened several more times, then it would only show the pixelated HP logo when it was booting and I couldn't log in at all. I
attached a different monitor to my CPU and it behaved the same way. Today I tried using both the Recovery and Bootable USBs that I created when I upgraded to Win10. It didn't do a thing with the Recovery drive, just sat there. When I tried the Bootable disk it briefly showed something like "going to repair screen" or something similar, but just froze there on a black screen. I tried the Recovery flash drive again, and got a new problem. The power wouldn't stay on. I would turn on the CPU power and a few seconds later with nothing appearing on the monitor it would power off. This happened a number of times. I searched the 'net for any info. One recommendation was to open it up to see if there might be a potential electrical short. Husband confirmed there was not. The only iffy thing had to do with four little silver plugs, lined up next to the place where extra cards could be added. I tried to find some info on what they were, but couldn't find a darn thing. The reason they looked iffy was because the tops of a couple of them seemed discolored, kind of rusty looking, but it's not rust.

I believe my WINVER is Version 2004 (OS Build 19041.508). I couldn't confirm due to dead machine, but this is what is on his system and we try to keep them in sync.

know this is a lot of convoluted info, but can someone identify what might be going on and what my next steps should be?

Thanks you so much.

1) Find a bootable flash drive with approximately 4 GB free space

2) On a working computer download and install on the flash drive HP UEFI hardware diagnostics: (left side of this webpage)
https://www8.hp.com/us/en/campaigns/.../pc-diags.html

3) Insert the flash drive into any USB port on the problematic computer

4) Power on the computer and repetitively click F9

5) Run the HP UEFI hardware diagnostics in extensive > loop until error > take pictures with a camera or smartphone camera > upload images into the thread > if there is no error then click esc after 2 loops


How to Upload and Post Screenshots and Files at Ten Forums

Thanks for the fast reply. Unfortunately I get a message saying that "sp106069(1) can't be downloaded securely." I tried to select the tool directly from the HP page with the same result. I got the same messages from Chrome and Edge.

Is this expected behavior and should I go ahead and keep it?

yes. was there an 8.1? If so, that's what I was on.

Using Edge I've downloaded sp106069.exe again.

Clicked open file

version 7.7.0.0

Effective date: 7/13/2020

You must be logged on as administrator to install this update.

It is to be installed onto the flash drive attached to the working computer.

Code:

TITLE:  HP PC Hardware Diagnostics UEFI For FTP only (Win7/8/8.1/10 32/64-bit)
VERSION: 7.7.0.0
DESCRIPTION: 
This package provides the HP PC Hardware Diagnostics UEFI version 7.7.0.0 in supported models that are running a supported operating systems.

PURPOSE: Routine
SoftPaq NUMBER: sp106069
EFFECTIVE DATE:  07/13/2020
CATEGORY:  Diagnostic
SSM SUPPORTED:  No
DEVICES SUPPORTED: N/A
PREREQUISITES: - You must be logged on as an administrator to install this update.
LANGUAGE(S):  
- English (US)
ENHANCEMENTS:
- Adds new Video Port I/O Check component test for Repair Mode.
- Adds new USB Port I/O Check component test for Repair Mode.
- Adds new Wireless Network Check component test on supported platforms.
- Update Audio Test to  support new audio solution.
- Adds Keyboard Test improvements to auto detect keyboard layout type on supported platforms .
- Adds Battery Test improvement.
HOW TO USE:
1. Download the file by clicking the Download or Obtain Software button and saving the file to a folder on your hard drive (make a note of the folder where the downloaded file is saved).

2. Double-click the downloaded file and follow the on-screen instructions to unpack the files to C:\SWSETUP\SP106069 or another directory of your choice.

3. Run the setup program from the directory that contains the unpacked softpaq files. Use the -? to list the command line options for the setup program.

UEFI and custom imaging
The HP PC Hardware Diagnostics UEFI must be run from a FAT or FAT32 partition with a partition name of "HP_TOOLS" or "EFI".
This installer will give you the option to install to the HDD or a USB drive.
If you install to the HDD and the HP_TOOLS or EFI partition is not present, the installer will prompt you to create the partition.
If you install to a USB drive, the installer will rename the partition on the USB drive to HP_TOOLS.
If you use a custom image, you can create the HP_TOOLS partition manually with type FAT32 and make the partition name HP_TOOLS.

Caution
- The HP_TOOLS partition is not protected and can therefore be deleted.
- Backing up the computer using the Windows® Complete PC and other backup software does not back up the HP_TOOLS partition.

For these reasons, HP recommends that you do not place additional data on the HP_TOOLS or EFI partition.  Because the partition is not backed up, corruption or failure of the partition will result in loss of all data on the partition, plus loss of UEFI functionality.

You can find more information on www.hp.com/go/techcenter/startup


NOTE: After double-clicking the downloaded file, select This program installed correctly on the Program Compatibility Assistant screen. This message is provided by the protection mechanism of Microsoft Windows.

Copyright (c) 2020 HP Development Company, L.P.

Please continue the download and installation.

ZBOOK - For whatever reason I still couldn't get it to download. So, I've switched to my laptop and it is now in progress. It's about 3/4 done, and has been for quite a while. Did yours go quickly or does it take about 10-15 minutes?

It was opened to help you.
It was not downloaded again.

It may depend on download speed, USB2 or 3, etc.

Unless there is an immediate fail allow it to run overnight > extensive > loop until error > the next day if it has made 2 or more loops > click esc > take pictures > run any component test as needed (many are interactive) > take pictures > upload images into the thread

In case there are any problems uploading images > post share links using one drive, drop box, or google drive

Please update the progress.