Added more RAM, now CPU won't start!!??

[w_tom]

I am not sure what you did and did not do. You messages are
too summarized and not full of specific details. Jumper was
moved to reset BIOS? Then computer powered on? Then computer
power plug removed? Then restored BIOS reset jumper to its
original location. Did you do this?

As spodosaurus notes, post error messages exactly - word for
word - as they appear.

Unplug monitor from computer. Turn monitor on. Does it do
the same thing? Does it output exact same message?

 

[herbiehusker]

Unplug monitor from computer. Turn monitor on. Does it do
the same thing? Does it output exact same message?

The monitor does the same thing whether it is plugged into the back of
the computer tower or not. This is the exact wording of the message:

Self Test

Check your PC and signal cable

Monitor is working fine.

This message also blinks.

I am not sure what you did and did not do. You messages are
too summarized and not full of specific details. Jumper was
moved to reset BIOS? Then computer powered on? Then computer
power plug removed? Then restored BIOS reset jumper to its
original location. Did you do this?

Yes, that's what I did, moved jumper, started computer up, then
powered it down by removing power plug, then put the jumper back to
the original location, but it was to reset the CMOS according to the
diagram on the inside of the computer. After doing this jumper reset,
the computer just powers itself on as soon as I plug it into the wall
for whatever reason. That's why I have to power the computer down by
pulling the plug, that and because nothing comes up on the screen.

As spodosaurus notes, post error messages exactly - word for
word - as they appear.

I don't get any error messages because the computer doesn't do
anything after the first beep. It's just on and running with nothing
happening.

 

[w_tom]

Monitor displays a message that says no signal from video
card. Just another symptom that suggest something is wrong on
motherboard; that CPU is not telling video controller what to
do.

Motherboard has connections that can start a 'power on' when
connector receives signal. For example, if phone rings, then
signal from modem causes computer to turn on. Normally, the
BIOS disables (ignores) this signal. However, now that you
have reset CMOS, the default state may be 'power up on
signal'.

If nothing is connected to that connection, then noise (ie
radio waves) could trigger a response. That noise might be
'heard' by the BIOS. BIOS (due to enabled CMOS setting) then
turns on computer.

Definitions: BIOS is the program that CPU first executes on
power up. CMOS are BIOS options stored in non-volatile
memory. Jumper setting reset CMOS so that BIOS will execute a
default set of options.

Don't worry about this unexpected 'power on'. More worry
that you cannot get BIOS to finish its tasks and to load the
Operating System. Once we solve the original problem, then
later we can solve this unexpected 'power up' problem by
simply disabling BIOS option.

Currently you have one beep - then nothing. What happens
when all RAM is removed? Does the CPU get so far so to detect
missing RAM - and output a multiple beep error code? If not,
then disconnect those other devices and test again. If still
no multiple error code, then remove everything except speaker,
CPU, and power supply. If still no multiple beeps (that says
RAM is missing), then a short list of possible defective
hardware is known. Time to start looking for a 3.5 digit
multimeter. Sears Hardware is selling a stocking stuffer for
less than $20.

 

[Overlord]

But it doesn't explain why the problem's still there when this
person puts the 128 meg stick of RAM back in.

If he thinks unplugging the PS is unplugging the CPU.....
He probably didn't notice that the ram is keyed to go in the slot only one way....

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[herbiehusker]

Overlordwrote:
If he thinks unplugging the PS is unplugging the CPU.....

He probably didn't notice that the ram is keyed to go in the slot only one way....

WOW!!! Let's give it up for the POST OF THE YEAR! Can we give this
guy a trophy or something? Screw that, let's just give him the
Lombardi Trophy. Maybe I'll mention your name to Bill Gates and he can
hire you. Did you notice the sarcasm there . . . :roll:

Thanks to those who have actually read my posts and helped me with
intelligent ideas. Overbore, I mean, overlord, obviously can't read
that I am able to get the RAM seated properly, therefore I DID notice
how to put the RAM in.

I know what a CPU is. I was trying to make it simple. Usually the more
in depth you go, people don't understand. And when you hear
commercials for the Intel or AMD chips, you don't hear them refer to
them as CPU's do you? No, you don't. They are referred to as
processors.

Anyway, I'm still trying to get more than one beep from the
motherboard and will post again when I'm at my last straw. Thanks to
everyone . . . . except overlord.

 

[Overlord]

If he thinks unplugging the PS is unplugging the CPU.....

WOW!!! Let's give it up for the POST OF THE YEAR! Can we give this
guy a trophy or something? Screw that, let's just give him the
Lombardi Trophy. Maybe I'll mention your name to Bill Gates and he can
hire you. Did you notice the sarcasm there . . . :roll:

Thanks to those who have actually read my posts and helped me with
intelligent ideas. Overbore, I mean, overlord, obviously can't read
that I am able to get the RAM seated properly, therefore I DID notice
how to put the RAM in.

I know what a CPU is. I was trying to make it simple. Usually the more
in depth you go, people don't understand. And when you hear
commercials for the Intel or AMD chips, you don't hear them refer to
them as CPU's do you? No, you don't. They are referred to as
processors.

CPU , Central Processing Unit , or as you have it, processor.
Your having claimed there were lights on the CPU,
your having claimed you "unplugged the CPU" before pulling the ram,
and several other comments indicates you don't know what a CPU is.
The CPU will easily fit in your shirt pocket. The case won't.

Hopefully you didn't clear the CMOS with the system power up.
Put the jumper for clearing the cmos so it is only mounted on one of
the pins or even better, remove it entirely.

If it doesn't POST with it removed, try shorting the pins on the MB directly
with a small screwdriver (very temporarily) for pins that power up and the
pins that reset the system. I've had switches on cases go out before.
I've also had systems that wouldn't power up without the reset.
If that doesn't work, I'd go with the old standby of gutting the case and trying
to POST the system with motherboard, PS, CPU, heat sink, 1 stick of ram,
monitor, and an old known good PCI video card, on a foam block outside of the case.
I trust you've tried your old RAM in several different slots, assuming you have
more than one slot?

The possible causes are many; toasted EEPROM, bad power supply, popped
MB caps around the CPU, cracked 6 layer motherboard from reseating cards/
ram, static discharge to components, motherboard shorting to the case, etc.

Make sure your CPU fan on top of the heatsink is connected to the fan power
connector on the motherboard. Many motherboards will not even POST if they
don't detect current draw for the CPU fan.

Many times the best way to troubleshoot is to swap parts to another system
to see if they run at all; CPU, RAM, power supply, video card.
Don't even connect power or signal cables to the hard drives as they could be
causing a problem.

Anyway, I'm still trying to get more than one beep from the
motherboard and will post again when I'm at my last straw. Thanks to
everyone . . . . except overlord.

If simple worked, you wouldn't be in here asking questions.
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[spodosaurus]

I know what a CPU is. I was trying to make it simple. Usually the more
in depth you go, people don't understand.

That's a completely backasswards way to do that on a newsgroup when
asking for technical help. We need those details, and you need to use
terms properly. Otherwise nothing gets done correctly.

And when you hear
commercials for the Intel or AMD chips, you don't hear them refer to
them as CPU's do you? No, you don't. They are referred to as
processors.

People here are a bit more advanced than the mouth breathing general
public. You still haven't caught on to that, and you still haven't
figured out how to properly post followup messages to newsgroups so that
they form a continuous or branching thread. So, everlord was expressing
some of the frustration that all of us are feeling with you. Don't hold
it against him, after a while someone was going to snap. Details are
extremely important here.


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