No OS

[Tim]

Lately when I boot up my pc sometimes I receive no POST
beep and end up with a blank screen instead of an
operating system. I reboot usually about 3 times before
my OS starts up. Why is this? It is obviously there but
takes a few goes before it works. I'm worried this could
get worse. I am running XP with all the latest updates
and 640MB SDRAM PIII 933 processor. Any help on this
would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks, Tim

 

[MooGooGaiPan]

Typically, the lack of a single beep when the POST is
supposed to complete means that the POST did not
successfully complete. This usually indicates a hardware
problem which could run anywhere from a bad PS/2 mouse to
a loose CPU, or a flaky video card, sound card, NIC . . .
lotsa stuff. Even a BIOS problem. You might try removing
all non-essential hardware, try a different mouse &
keyboard, make sure all add-on cards are securely seated,
cables are connected properly, etc. Could be a bad
motherboard too. The list goes on . . . power supply, a
coin lodged under the motherboard, . . . Some motherboards
will emit a number of beeps to try to indicate where the
problem is. Some won't. Good Luck !

 

[Malke]

Lately when I boot up my pc sometimes I receive no POST
beep and end up with a blank screen instead of an
operating system. I reboot usually about 3 times before
my OS starts up. Why is this? It is obviously there but
takes a few goes before it works. I'm worried this could
get worse. I am running XP with all the latest updates
and 640MB SDRAM PIII 933 processor. Any help on this
would be greatly appreciated.

Hi, Tim. Sounds like you've got a hardware problem. It could be
something simple like your power supply failing. It could be something
worse. Here are generic troubleshooting steps for hardware:

1) open the computer and run it open, cleaning out all dust bunnies and
observing all fans (overheating will cause system freezing); 2) test
the RAM - I like Memtest86 from www.memtest86.com - let the test run
for an extended (like overnight) period of time - unless errors are
seen immediately; 3) test the hard drive with a diagnostic utility from
the mftr.; 4) the power supply may be going bad or be inadequate for
the devices you have in the system; 5) test the motherboard with
something like TuffTest from www.tufftest.com. Testing hardware
failures often involves swapping out suspected parts with known-good
parts. If you can't do the testing yourself and/or are uncomfortable
opening your computer, take the machine to a good local computer repair
shop (not a CompUSA or Best Buy type of store).

Malke

 

[David Candy]

Also make sure everything inside, and maybe outside, is plugged in properly. All cards, modules, and connectors inside the case.

 

[sgopus]

typically this is caused by RAM going bad.
and I also agree with the previous responses, it could be
a host of hardware problems. Start with RAM it's easier
and cheaper.

-----Original Message-----
Also make sure everything inside, and maybe outside, is

plugged in properly. All cards, modules, and connectors
inside the case.