Acer Aspire X3600 Problem.

[Sam25]

So, I started my PC (Acer Aspire X3600) this evening and found there was no signal to my monitor! The blue power light on my CPU just keeps blinking and a small light (that's the hard-disk drive indicator) also blinks. There is no signal or beeps, nothing. I made one observation though when the power light starts to blink on, the fans inside spin for a few seconds. The cycle repeats itself.

Any idea's on what's wrong??

 

[Sam25]

Any help?

 

[mpilchfamily]

I meant to reply earlier in the after noon. I was trying to find more information about the system that may help.

It could be any number of things wrong with the system. Due to the way the system is its hard to tell. The system is a cross between regular PC parts and Notebook parts. Its all in a pretty confined space. So worse case senerio is there has been a heat issue that may have damaged something. Problem is the best way to find the problem is to switch out parts. In theis case change out the video card. But the system uses onbourd video and i doubt there is a PCI-e slot in the system for a video card. Its unlikly to even have an option in the BIOS for disabling the onboard video so you can assess the video card.

In this case all you can do is cantact Acer about the issue. I'm guessing its outside of the warnety period. So you'll end up spending more then you should to get it fixed. My recomendation is to salvage what you can from the system and get a replacment for it if you must have a compact system like that.

 

[Sam25]

Thanks @ mpilchfamily!

I have send you a message. I have finally decided to take the rig apart and salvage (most of it) since Acer will not give me international warranty here. I have had quite enough talking to their customer support team (in India) regarding this. I think I'll change the entire PC case, since this one is just too small and cramped up. I'll also get a 9500 GT card (for now) into the system. The HDD, RAM, processors are in good shape, the power supply has given up. What are your ideas?

 

[mpilchfamily]

Well it all depends on what the exact specs of the system are. If the CPU is a regular LGA775 chip then it can be used in another system. Not sure if that system uses a regular mATX board or a proprietary design with a mobile CPU. The RAM can be used but i'm not sure if the HDD is a standard 3.5" or a laptop sized 2.5". You won't really know what you can and can't use till you open it up.

 

[Sam25]

I just came across this:

http://www.hardwarezone.com/ar...iew.php?cid=11&id=2614

Can you just go through it and let me know....I'm not really good at figuring out all the hardware details. Here is the inside view of the system:

http://www.hardwarezone.com/ar...hp?id=2614&cid=11&pg=3

Can I add in a 9500GT in this or do I change the motherboard?

 

[mpilchfamily]

As i suspected the HDD is a laptop drive. I'm surprised to see that it usses a regular optical drive so that can be used. While the HDD can be used in a regular system it would involve the use of adapters to plug it into a regular motherboard and adapters to mount it in a regular case. The main board is a propriatary board but i can't see if it uses a regular LGA775 socket for the CPU or if the CPU is a mobile chip soldered to the board. So you will have to by a new motherboard. But its looking like the only things you can really use from the system are the optical drive and possibly the RAM. They don't show the RAM and don't mention if its SODIMM or regular DIMMS (laptop memory or desktop memory). The video is onboard so thats unusable. Course the PSU won't work in another system and may be the cause of the problem to start with. Don't know if you can find a replacment or not.

 

[Sam25]

I just have to say your brilliant mate....I could never have interpreted all that! Thanks Thanks Thanks!

I have arrived at some sort of a conclusion. I'm doing away with the motherboard and getting a new one. I'll use the processors (C2D - E7200) and the HDD. Guess if the RAM is usable then fine or else I'm getting a new 1GB stick for now. Also, since I'm getting a new motherboard I'll put a 9500gt (512mb) inside it. The old motherboard has a mini-PCI slot which cannot be used for using the 9500GT. What are your views??

 

[Sam25]

I just got a new case today. Tomorrow I'm going to start building.