Boot up

[Moir]

After using my computer for many weeks I recently turned it off for two
days, whilst I was away (I don't normally turn my computer off). When it
came time to turn the computer on, it would not reboot. Power came on and
that was that - no post or anything! Despite numerous attempts the computer
would not boot let alone run my Windows XP SP2. I cleared the CMOS and
started over again with all peripherals disconnected except the hard drive.
Finally the system restarted and I reattached all the peripherals and all is
now well again. My question is, why did this failure to boot happen? I have
not changed any hardware or software or added to or taken off during the
past few months. The computer was running well until I turned it off and
tried to turn it back on again two days later.
Thanks

 

[Guest]

If I were clairvoyant I'd make money answering questions such as yours.

As I'm not, I am answering your question without any financial reward.

I'd start at the power supply and move outwards from there. In the end,
what you have done maybe too much too soon, but you got your system up and
running.

It may have been as simple as a power surge or blackout causing a minor
'glitch' in the power supply unit on the PC.

 

[Moir]

Thanks BAR - how do I "test" a power supply unit to ensure it is doing what
it is supposed to?

Sorry you're not getting a financial reward :-(

 

[Richard Lowen]

After using my computer for many weeks I recently turned it off for two
days, whilst I was away (I don't normally turn my computer off). When it
came time to turn the computer on, it would not reboot. Power came on and
that was that - no post or anything! Despite numerous attempts the computer
would not boot let alone run my Windows XP SP2. I cleared the CMOS and

What the heck does it mean to "clear the CMOS". Do you mean
scrap away the seaweed from the hull?

started over again with all peripherals disconnected except the hard drive.
Finally the system restarted and I reattached all the peripherals and all is
now well again. My question is, why did this failure to boot happen? I have
not changed any hardware or software or added to or taken off during the
past few months. The computer was running well until I turned it off and
tried to turn it back on again two days later.
Thanks

Your lithium battery ran down due it being old and decrepit, and the
BIOS forgot that the hard drive was supposed to boot before the CD
drive. When you removed the other peripherals, the hard drive was
the only bootable drive left and it booted. Why the system remembered
the correct boot order after reattaching the other periphs, I don't know.
I advise getting a new battery.


Rick Lowen