Computer will not start

[2stepme]

I did not build this computer ... but I am trying to fix it. The
computer is a custom build.

I have an Altec SLK1650 case. I am trying to track down a problem.
If I can get the computer to start the computer works fine. When I
press the button to start the computer it will make the appropriate
sounds but within 1 second the computer dies. If I press the start
button repeatedly it will act like it is going to start for
progressively longer times until it finally it continues running. At
this point the operating system is not running but the fans are
running. I then push the reset button and then the computer start
starts normally. I replaced the power supply (350W) with a 450W but
that did not help. At this point the computer will not start at
all. If I hold the reset button in and press the start button the
computer will sound like it is running but will not boot. When I
release the reset button the computer dies. Just wondering if it
might have something to do with the start or reset buttons. Any
suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for the help ... Michael

 

[Jan Alter]

I did not build this computer ... but I am trying to fix it. The
computer is a custom build.

I have an Altec SLK1650 case. I am trying to track down a problem.
If I can get the computer to start the computer works fine. When I
press the button to start the computer it will make the appropriate
sounds but within 1 second the computer dies. If I press the start
button repeatedly it will act like it is going to start for
progressively longer times until it finally it continues running. At
this point the operating system is not running but the fans are
running. I then push the reset button and then the computer start
starts normally. I replaced the power supply (350W) with a 450W but
that did not help. At this point the computer will not start at
all. If I hold the reset button in and press the start button the
computer will sound like it is running but will not boot. When I
release the reset button the computer dies. Just wondering if it
might have something to do with the start or reset buttons. Any
suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

What you described at the beginning sounded like a classic case of bad caps
in a PS and so changing the PS would be the first suggestion from at least
my view. Was the PS you installed (450 W) a known good PS?
Additionally what you're describing with the reset switch sounds odd.
Possibly there is a problem with the switch itself, but you can easily test
that by simply pulling off the two prong reset connector from the mb and try
restarting it. Additionally you could check the power switch by pulling off
the two prong connector (at the same connector block as the reset switch)
and carefully shorting the two prongs with the tip of a screwdriver to see
if the computer will then start.

 

[pcbldrNinetyEight]

(e-mail address removed) wrote in

I did not build this computer ... but I am trying to fix it. The
computer is a custom build.

I have an Altec SLK1650 case. I am trying to track down a problem.
If I can get the computer to start the computer works fine. When I
press the button to start the computer it will make the appropriate
sounds but within 1 second the computer dies. If I press the start
button repeatedly it will act like it is going to start for
progressively longer times until it finally it continues running. At
this point the operating system is not running but the fans are
running. I then push the reset button and then the computer start
starts normally. I replaced the power supply (350W) with a 450W but
that did not help. At this point the computer will not start at
all. If I hold the reset button in and press the start button the
computer will sound like it is running but will not boot. When I
release the reset button the computer dies. Just wondering if it
might have something to do with the start or reset buttons. Any
suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for the help ... Michael

You didn't describe the hardware. Make sure the CMOS jumper is set
properly.

 

[pcbldrNinetyEight]

(e-mail address removed) wrote in

I did not build this computer ... but I am trying to fix it. The
computer is a custom build.

I have an Altec SLK1650 case. I am trying to track down a problem.
If I can get the computer to start the computer works fine. When I
press the button to start the computer it will make the appropriate
sounds but within 1 second the computer dies. If I press the start
button repeatedly it will act like it is going to start for
progressively longer times until it finally it continues running. At
this point the operating system is not running but the fans are
running. I then push the reset button and then the computer start
starts normally. I replaced the power supply (350W) with a 450W but
that did not help. At this point the computer will not start at
all. If I hold the reset button in and press the start button the
computer will sound like it is running but will not boot. When I
release the reset button the computer dies. Just wondering if it
might have something to do with the start or reset buttons. Any
suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for the help ... Michael

I don't know if that case uses stand offs for the MOBO (I'm too lazy to
research now) but if one was left in the wrong place it could short out
on the back of the board and cause the problem you describe.

 

[2stepme]

(e-mail address removed) wrote in





You didn't describe the hardware. Make sure the CMOS jumper is set
properly.

I would assume that the CMOS jumper is set properly because the
machine has worked and nothing was changed.

 

[2stepme]

What you described at the beginning sounded like a classic case of bad caps
in a PS and so changing the PS would be the first suggestion from at least
my view. Was the PS you installed (450 W) a known good PS?
Additionally what you're describing with the reset switch sounds odd.
Possibly there is a problem with the switch itself, but you can easily test
that by simply pulling off the two prong reset connector from the mb and try
restarting it. Additionally you could check the power switch by pulling off
the two prong connector (at the same connector block as the reset switch)
and carefully shorting the two prongs with the tip of a screwdriver to see
if the computer will then start.
--
Jan Alter
(e-mail address removed)
or
(e-mail address removed)12.pa.us

I actually sent a message asking for suggestions from Altec and they
responded quickly. They suggested that I pull the start button cord
from the motherboard and replace it with the reset cord. I did and
the computer exhibited the same symptoms.... Michael

 

[2stepme]

What you described at the beginning sounded like a classic case of bad caps
in a PS and so changing the PS would be the first suggestion from at least
my view. Was the PS you installed (450 W) a known good PS?
Additionally what you're describing with the reset switch sounds odd.
Possibly there is a problem with the switch itself, but you can easily test
that by simply pulling off the two prong reset connector from the mb and try
restarting it. Additionally you could check the power switch by pulling off
the two prong connector (at the same connector block as the reset switch)
and carefully shorting the two prongs with the tip of a screwdriver to see
if the computer will then start.
--
Jan Alter
(e-mail address removed)
or
(e-mail address removed)12.pa.us

I actually tested the possiblilty of a bad start button. At the
suggestion of Altec I pulled the start button cord and replaced it
with the reset cord. The computer exhibited the same symptoms. That
did not solve the problem. ... Michael

 

[pcbldrNinetyEight]

(e-mail address removed) wrote in

I would assume that the CMOS jumper is set properly because the
machine has worked and nothing was changed.

I misunderstood. I was watching Tony Bourdain and making posts during
the commercials. In future I must do one or the other but not both.

What other bits is this PC made of?

 

[2stepme]

(e-mail address removed) wrote in




I misunderstood. I was watching Tony Bourdain and making posts during
the commercials. In future I must do one or the other but not both.

What other bits is this PC made of?

Thanks for the Reply ... the components are:

Motherboard Foxconn 915M03
Intel P4 540 3.2GHZ (I think) the only numbers on it are 35505002
A2493
NVIDIA GeForce 6600 LE soundcard
ATX Ver 2.01 450W power supply
SATA Western Digital Hard Drive 200G
Altec SLK1650 case

Thanks ...

 

[pcbldrNinetyEight]

(e-mail address removed) wrote in

Thanks for the Reply ... the components are:

Motherboard Foxconn 915M03
Intel P4 540 3.2GHZ (I think) the only numbers on it are 35505002
A2493
NVIDIA GeForce 6600 LE soundcard
ATX Ver 2.01 450W power supply
SATA Western Digital Hard Drive 200G
Altec SLK1650 case

You didn't specify what is ram type, maker, amount and number or DIMM's?

If I understand correctly the PC worked properly for a time (possibly a
brief time) and now completely refuses to boot. May (or may not) help me to
know how many hours, days or months it functioned properly.

I doubt the buttons are a problem but you may be able to remove the front
cover of the case and push the switches directly just in case there's a
mechanical problem with the front cover. IIRC the switches are of the
momentarily on type meaning that they complete a circuit only for as long
as you keep them depressed. You can unplug them and test with a multimeter
to verify if they are normally open when not depressed and closed when
depressed.

Read manual and verify that all power connections and case connectors are
correct.

The MOBO is in the discontinued list at Foxconn:
http://www.foxconnchannel.com/product/Motherboards/unmake_list.aspx

Link to Foxconn 915M03 page:
http://www.foxconnchannel.com/product/Motherboards/detail_overview.aspx?ID=
en-us0000089

Link to manual:
http://www.foxconnchannel.com/support/downloads_detail.aspx?ID=en-us0001047
Read manual, determine what options are on MOBO. Reply back with full model
number including suffix.

Try each of the following steps one at a time booting after each step
(unplug power cord before removing/installing hardware or jumpers)(use
grounding strap and observe ESD precautions):
Remove all boards except VGA (disregard if VGA on MOBO). Then boot.
If multiple DIMM installed remove all but one. Then boot.
Put in one DIMM then boot.
Repeat step with each DIMM singly booting each time.
Unplug all but boot drive. Then boot.
Enter BIOS and choose Load Fail-Safe Defaults. Then boot.
Reset BIOS. Be very careful not to power up before placing CMOS jumper in
normal run position. Then boot.
Remove processor heat sink and look for thermal paste. If none found then
remove processor and inspect socket and processor for damage. Apply paste
as needed, reinstall heatsink/fan then boot.

Reply back with your results.

I am fighting a particularly pernicious problem of my own with a CD burner
that corrupted my backups so I may be slow to respond.

 

[2stepme]

(e-mail address removed) wrote in





You didn't specify what is ram type, maker, amount and number or DIMM's?

If I understand correctly the PC worked properly for a time (possibly a
brief time) and now completely refuses to boot. May (or may not) help me to
know how many hours, days or months it functioned properly.

I doubt the buttons are a problem but you may be able to remove the front
cover of the case and push the switches directly just in case there's a
mechanical problem with the front cover. IIRC the switches are of the
momentarily on type meaning that they complete a circuit only for as long
as you keep them depressed. You can unplug them and test with a multimeter
to verify if they are normally open when not depressed and closed when
depressed.

Read manual and verify that all power connections and case connectors are
correct.

The MOBO is in the discontinued list at Foxconn:http://www.foxconnchannel.com/product/Motherboards/unmake_list.aspx

Link to Foxconn 915M03 page:http://www.foxconnchannel.com/product/Motherboards/detail_overview.as...
en-us0000089

Link to manual:http://www.foxconnchannel.com/support/downloads_detail.aspx?ID=en-us0...
Read manual, determine what options are on MOBO. Reply back with full model
number including suffix.

Try each of the following steps one at a time booting after each step
(unplug power cord before removing/installing hardware or jumpers)(use
grounding strap and observe ESD precautions):
Remove all boards except VGA (disregard if VGA on MOBO). Then boot.
If multiple DIMM installed remove all but one. Then boot.
Put in one DIMM then boot.
Repeat step with each DIMM singly booting each time.
Unplug all but boot drive. Then boot.
Enter BIOS and choose Load Fail-Safe Defaults. Then boot.
Reset BIOS. Be very careful not to power up before placing CMOS jumper in
normal run position. Then boot.
Remove processor heat sink and look for thermal paste. If none found then
remove processor and inspect socket and processor for damage. Apply paste
as needed, reinstall heatsink/fan then boot.

Reply back with your results.

I am fighting a particularly pernicious problem of my own with a CD burner
that corrupted my backups so I may be slow to respond.

The computer has been working for a couple of years. This is a new
problem. I have not made any changes to the hardware recently. The
only thing that I have done recently is restore a saved image to the
boot drive. That worked fine for a few days. The symptoms came on
slowly. At first it only took a couple of tries to start the
machine. Later it took more tries. I then purchased the new PSU and
it booted on the second try. Now I can not start it at all.

I will test the memory as described but I am not sure how to work with
the BIOS particularly with the inability of starting the computer.

Thanks ... Michael

 

[2stepme]

(e-mail address removed) wrote in





You didn't specify what is ram type, maker, amount and number or DIMM's?

If I understand correctly the PC worked properly for a time (possibly a
brief time) and now completely refuses to boot. May (or may not) help me to
know how many hours, days or months it functioned properly.

I doubt the buttons are a problem but you may be able to remove the front
cover of the case and push the switches directly just in case there's a
mechanical problem with the front cover. IIRC the switches are of the
momentarily on type meaning that they complete a circuit only for as long
as you keep them depressed. You can unplug them and test with a multimeter
to verify if they are normally open when not depressed and closed when
depressed.

Read manual and verify that all power connections and case connectors are
correct.

The MOBO is in the discontinued list at Foxconn:http://www.foxconnchannel.com/product/Motherboards/unmake_list.aspx

Link to Foxconn 915M03 page:http://www.foxconnchannel.com/product/Motherboards/detail_overview.as...
en-us0000089

Link to manual:http://www.foxconnchannel.com/support/downloads_detail.aspx?ID=en-us0...
Read manual, determine what options are on MOBO. Reply back with full model
number including suffix.

Try each of the following steps one at a time booting after each step
(unplug power cord before removing/installing hardware or jumpers)(use
grounding strap and observe ESD precautions):
Remove all boards except VGA (disregard if VGA on MOBO). Then boot.
If multiple DIMM installed remove all but one. Then boot.
Put in one DIMM then boot.
Repeat step with each DIMM singly booting each time.
Unplug all but boot drive. Then boot.
Enter BIOS and choose Load Fail-Safe Defaults. Then boot.
Reset BIOS. Be very careful not to power up before placing CMOS jumper in
normal run position. Then boot.
Remove processor heat sink and look for thermal paste. If none found then
remove processor and inspect socket and processor for damage. Apply paste
as needed, reinstall heatsink/fan then boot.

Reply back with your results.

I am fighting a particularly pernicious problem of my own with a CD burner
that corrupted my backups so I may be slow to respond.

The only board I have is the Video board GF 6600LE
I tried each of the memory boards separately and this did not help.
I looked at the processor.. It looks OK and I will have to get some
thermal paste.

 

[pcbldrNinetyEight]

(e-mail address removed) wrote in

The only board I have is the Video board GF 6600LE
I tried each of the memory boards separately and this did not help.
I looked at the processor.. It looks OK and I will have to get some
thermal paste.

If your heat sink has a gray stick on thermal pad then you will not need
thermal paste.

 

[pcbldrNinetyEight]

(e-mail address removed) wrote in

The computer has been working for a couple of years. This is a new
problem. I have not made any changes to the hardware recently. The
only thing that I have done recently is restore a saved image to the
boot drive. That worked fine for a few days. The symptoms came on
slowly. At first it only took a couple of tries to start the
machine. Later it took more tries. I then purchased the new PSU and
it booted on the second try. Now I can not start it at all.

I will test the memory as described but I am not sure how to work with
the BIOS particularly with the inability of starting the computer.

Thanks ... Michael

Press and hold down the delete key to enter BIOS immediately after powering
up the PC.

Does anything ever appear on the screen, if not can you swap out the VGA?
Can you swap out the monitor or try it on another PC to verify that it
works?

When the PC starts you should hear only one (faint) beep. If you hear more
than one beep then how many do you hear? If you hear multiple beeps let me
know before you proceed with the following steps.

Unplug the hard drive and do whatever you can to get the PC to turn on and
stay on. It won't boot but you may be able to enter the BIOS and set it to
fail-safe setting. In the manual I read that there are several settings
that can shut down the system therefore you need to set it to fail-safe.

As an extreme last resort to enter the BIOS I would leave the HD unplugged
and remove the processor and then power up the PC.

 

[2stepme]

I did not build this computer ... but I am trying to fix it. The
computer is a custom build.

I have an Altec SLK1650 case. I am trying to track down a problem.
If I can get the computer to start the computer works fine. When I
press the button to start the computer it will make the appropriate
sounds but within 1 second the computer dies. If I press the start
button repeatedly it will act like it is going to start for
progressively longer times until it finally it continues running. At
this point the operating system is not running but the fans are
running. I then push the reset button and then the computer start
starts normally. I replaced the power supply (350W) with a 450W but
that did not help. At this point the computer will not start at
all. If I hold the reset button in and press the start button the
computer will sound like it is running but will not boot. When I
release the reset button the computer dies. Just wondering if it
might have something to do with the start or reset buttons. Any
suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for the help ... Michael

Well the way I work it is that I try everything that I can and then
give it to someone that has the resources to track down the problem.
That would be a repair shop. I ended up replacing the power supply
and the motherboard. One interesting side note: Those vertical
"barrel" shaped things on the motherboard of which there are a couple
dozen. Well the ends appear to be aluminum and have a score mark on
them. Most are depressed into the "barrel". The repairman pointed
out two that were starting to expand out. He said those were bad or
going bad. Anyway the computer is working. Thanks for all of the
help ... Michael

 

[pcbldrNinetyEight]

(e-mail address removed) wrote in

Well the way I work it is that I try everything that I can and then
give it to someone that has the resources to track down the problem.
That would be a repair shop. I ended up replacing the power supply
and the motherboard. One interesting side note: Those vertical
"barrel" shaped things on the motherboard of which there are a couple
dozen. Well the ends appear to be aluminum and have a score mark on
them. Most are depressed into the "barrel". The repairman pointed
out two that were starting to expand out. He said those were bad or
going bad. Anyway the computer is working. Thanks for all of the
help ... Michael

Good for you Michael. That was a tough not to crack. When the PSU went
it likely took the MOBO hence the swollen caps. Hope your new bits will
last many years.