Won't Boot

[Anna]

So much for sending me to a Hardware Newsgroup, no-one has answered and
here
I've had more help than anyone can possibly expect. Go figure Pegasus -
lol

Syke:
And have you been able to resolve your problem?
Anna

 

[Paul]

I've already looked in the manual for problems, the only thing on the
motherboard that lights up inside the case is a green light when the PC is
switched on which is normal by all accounts. Have been to the Tech store this
morning and the guy there thought it was the graphics card, figures as the
monitor plugs into it and I'm getting no picture, now to get someone to fit a
new one, but not in the store at those silly prices.

I see you posted in microsoft.public.mshardware.product and
that might be a group intended for questions about a Microsoft
mouse or a Microsoft keyboard etc. A group like microsoft.public.windowsxp.hardware
is a hardware group of sorts, and alt.comp.hardware would be
another example. Check to see whether the group participants
are discussing RAM questions.

In terms of motherboard testing, you should be using "beep" tests
at this point.

1) Turn off the power and unplug the computer. Do this before
making any changes to hardware. This prevents +5VSB from
burning any components you add or remove.

2) First beep test, is to remove both the RAM and video card.
Video may be built into the motherboard itself, in which
case the video connection is in the I/O plate area of the computer.
You cannot easily disable video in that case, as it cannot be
removed.

If both the video and RAM are removed, you should get a "bad RAM"
beep code. RAM is the first thing that is checked. Hearing the beeping,
tells you the processor and BIOS flash code are OK.

3) Install the (old) RAM. One stick is enough. When there is some
RAM present, but no video card, you should hear the "missing video"
beep pattern. It won't be the same pattern as the one for RAM.
If you're still hearing the RAM pattern, then that single stick
is bad (or the motherboard is bad). Basically, you're using
the beep code as a test condition for your troubleshooting
flow chart.

4) Video cannot appear on the monitor, until a minimal amount of
"good" RAM is present, and the video card is present. If an error
occurs when the RAM is good and the video is good, the BIOS will
try to display an error message on the screen. It the monitor or
monitor cable is bad, then you won't see anything, and the BIOS
will think it has successfully given you the bad news.

Based on the above, it is probably going to turn out that the
problem is with something other than video. Be aware, that
with the low cost of some memory products now, they're shipping
from the factory without testing. I've heard of a few cases,
where a bad stick of RAM burns the RAM slot and damages it.
Run the various beep test cases, and see what you get.

If you're hearing no beeps at all, check that the computer
has a "beep" device. Either the computer case has a speaker
that beeps, or there'll be a 1/2" diameter black piezo beeper.
Motherboards normally beep once during POST, to prove the
speaker is working. If the motherboard refuses to beep no
matter what you do, the processor is not able to read BIOS code.
Check that the processor power plug is inserted, if there is
a separate 2x2 connector for it. (Older motherboards don't have
one, so that won't be an issue with them. The older motherboards
got their processor power from the main connector.)

If you run out of things to try, you can always clear
the CMOS using the RTC jumper. Remove all power from
the computer before attempting that. Post back with
computer model info for more exact help. There might
be a manual for the computer online somewhere.

The green LED on some motherboards, is lit to indicate
that +5VSB is present. It tells the user to not install
or remove hardware, as long as the green LED is lit.
Once the green LED goes out, it is safe to add hardware.
Failure to follow these instructions, can damage the
motherboard or the hardware being added. The symptoms
could be the same, as would happen if a bad stick of
RAM burned the RAM slot.

Paul

 

[Skye]

Called in a technician and the PC has seen it's day so a new one is called for.
Thanks to everyone who contributed to the post, I'm very grateful.

 

[Terry R.]

The date and time was Sunday, January 11, 2009 6:13:01 AM, and on a
whim, Skye pounded out on the keyboard:

I've already looked in the manual for problems, the only thing on the
motherboard that lights up inside the case is a green light when the PC is
switched on which is normal by all accounts. Have been to the Tech store this
morning and the guy there thought it was the graphics card, figures as the
monitor plugs into it and I'm getting no picture, now to get someone to fit a
new one, but not in the store at those silly prices.

Graphics cards are very easy to change out. The instructions in most of
them are easy enough for anyone to follow. But if you don't want to do
it, hopefully you have a friend who has computer knowledge that will do
it for you, or at least for a small fee.

If it's an older computer with an AGP slot, you can get an ATI for $30
USD (from Pricewatch)
http://txmicro.com/ATi-Radeon-9550-128MB-DDR-AGP-Video-Card-w-DVI-TV-Out-p-4002.html

or an nVidia for $47 USD here:
http://www.ewiz.com/detail.php?p=EV-A620025&c=pw

Good luck,

--
Terry R.

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[thecreator]

Hi Skye,

Before you buy a new PC, you might sign up for E-mails from
TigerDirect.com .

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/category/category_tlc.asp?CatId=31&name=Barebone-Kits

Put exactly what you want in one.