Computer go... pop? - by SubJeff
SubJeff on 30/3/2009 at 09:59
My main machine stopped working this morning. Its a Core 2 Duo E6600 with 6Gb RAM (I know I know) on an Asas P5NE SLi Mobo and a GeForce 8800GT 320Mb.
This is what happens:
Machine starts and all the lights and fans come on. HDs whir up and the screen flicks on.
But nothing appears on screen, there are no error beeps and even with the speakers on no Vista de-de-de is heard. The monitor then gets bored of not having a real input and goes into standby mode.
I don't think its the monitor as there is no sound. I don't think it is the gfx card also because there is no sound (despite being a heavy card that it only tentatively fixed to the back of the case because of the ridiculous "innovative" flip catch thing for cards on the NZXT Lexa case).
The fact there are no error beeps worries me a little.
Any ideas?
bikerdude on 30/3/2009 at 10:45
Hi
This could be several things, but at a guess I say its either the memory of the video card.
Pull the memory out and re-seat it and do he same for the video card and then see if it powers up normally.
If the above fails then see if you can borrow some memory and a video card and try the above again.
come back here if that dosent work.
SubJeff on 30/3/2009 at 11:11
Well the PSU seems fine. All lights, fans and HDs seem to start up and the gfx card even sends the initial "on" signal to the monitor.
Recent changes are 4Gb RAM (you can't get 2Gb in Taiwan!) and a little more use of the USB ports since I got a 1Tb external drive whilst I was out there. I'll take out the new RAM and see what happens.
If the gfx card has gone wouldn't there a.be beeps and b.be sound when Vista starts? Or will Vista not start without gfx capability?
LeatherMan on 30/3/2009 at 15:07
You say you don't get any motherboard beeps, so that means it isn't POSTing, right? If so, it could very well be a short or a loose power connection, something that got knocked loose during the RAM install.
Other things to try:
Disconnect all USB devices except your keyboard and mouse.
Try reseating your RAM as well, and even remove some if that doesn't help.
Remove and reinstall the graphics card.
SubJeff on 30/3/2009 at 20:53
I installed the new RAM ages ago. There have been no problems up until now and yesterday it worked fine and shut down fine. The problems started this morning - no hardware changes had taken place.
I made sure the gfx card and RAM were all seated properly and the same thing happens. Haven't checked all the other connections yet.
Yes, there are no beeps which makes me think there is no POST and so the mobo could have gone. I'm already looking at prices for a replacment :(
Al_B on 30/3/2009 at 21:15
Quote Posted by Subjective Effect
Yes, there are no beeps which makes me think there is no POST and so the mobo could have gone. I'm already looking at prices for a replacment :(
Are you able to (temporarily) scrounge another power supply to try? I've seen a similar problem before and it was down to a freak electrical surge taking out the PSU.
I wouldn't necessarily suspect the motherboard as the first suspect - unfortunately your problem sounds like it needs a classic case of elimination. Disconnect EVERYTHING (including the HD / CD / extra interface cards and any other USB peripherals) until you're left with just the graphics card, power supply, motherboard, CPU, minimal memory and keyboard. If you can't get that to at least get to the BIOS then swap keyboard, memory, PSU, and CPU before trying a new motherboard.
SubJeff on 30/3/2009 at 22:35
I'm a little confused as to why it should be the PSU. The machine starts normally, and from the normal On button which is of course attached to the mobo. All the drives and lights start and the gfx card obviously sends a power signal to the TFT to wake up.
Is this likely to be a PSU issue?
And I cannot borrow a PSU, or any other hardware, at the moment.
Al_B on 30/3/2009 at 22:58
Quote Posted by Subjective Effect
Is this likely to be a PSU issue?
It's a strong possibility - but only because from the sound of it you can't get the BIOS to start. Have you done what I suggested and disconnected
everything that isn't essential - including the hard drive? The first step is to get your computer to boot and that's it.
SubJeff on 30/3/2009 at 23:44
Fixed.
I stripped and added. It worked without the new RAM and all the HDs unpowered.
Adding everything back bit by bit I've identified 1 stick of the new RAM as the fault causer. Very odd though, no?
At least I still have 4Gb, which is all Vista can use anyway!
lost_soul on 31/3/2009 at 21:38
My vote *was* on the power supply. I had a video card croak on me a year ago or so and when I turned the PC on, it would just beep a few times. I knew "trouble was a-comin" though because for a few days prior to this, the machine took longer than usual to display the POST screen. I am actually glad that video card died, because I could then justify buying one with good Linux drivers to replace it.
