Computer Cleaning Failure

[xynyx]

So I decided to do some spring cleaning and eliminate all the dust bunnies hidden in my computer. Grabbed a can of compressed air and went to town (cleaned all the fans, heat sink etc.) Then when I went to turn my computer back on all it did was beep constantly (fans and lights all working, can hear the hard drive spinning) Nothing displayed on the monitor. Checked all the connections and the seem fine. Did I fry something with the compressed air? (Think I may have hit part of the motherboard with some liquid coolant) If so which component likely needs to be replaced? My computer is about 3 years old so it might be time to replace it anyways (Battlefield 3 is coming soon), but would prefer to salvage it if at all possible.

Thanks.

 

[pete1229]

Could you have jarred the cpu heat sink during the process? Check it to see if its seated properly, if not be sure to have some new thermal paste and clean all the old stuff off both the cpu and the sink. You also might try resetting the cmos (do this first) and see if doing that brings it back to normal.

 

[xynyx]

Thermal sink looks to be intact. CMOS reset didn't work. New motherboard time?

 

[mosco]

usually the beeps mean something. Can you find the manual for the mobo online and see what the beeps mean?

 

[xynyx]

No clue where the manual is and am having trouble finding it online. There is only one beep about 3-5 seconds apart. Here is my motherboard

MOTHERBOARD: MSI K9N SLI-F V.2 NVIDIA nForce 570 LT SLI Chipset DDR2/800 SATA RAID PCI-Express MBoard w/GbLAN,USB2.0,&7.1Audio


Thanks

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Remove and re-seat your ram, GPU and, any other PCIE devices.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Here's the beep code,
AMI Beep Code

Deep Code Description
1 short DRAMS refresh failure
2 short Parity circuit failure
3 short Base 64k RAM failure
4 short System timer failure
5 short Process failure
6 short Keyboard controller Gate A20 error
7 short Virtual mode exception error
8 short Display memory Read/Write test failure
9 short ROM BIOS checksum failure
10 short CMOS shutdown Read/Write error
11 short Cache Memory error
1 long, 3 short Conventional/Extended memory failure
1 long, 8 short Display/Retrace test failed

AWARD Beep Code

Deep Code Description
1 Long, 2 Short A video error has occurred and the BIOS cannot intialize the video screen to display any additional information
Any other beep(s) RAM problem

 

[PhantomTrooper]

if your computer was unplugged at the time, then it is impossible to have fried anything. Do what the people above me said and reseat your memory, graphics, card, and any connections (power connection to graphics card, motherboard, etc).

 

[Fallen Kell]

Well to find your manual, first go to MSI's website, click on Products->Motherboards->Archives, and go to the K9N section and find the one which is your exact model (there are like a dozen). Once you have the actual name (like "K9N2 Diamond"), go to http://www.iusermanual.com/motherboard/ and search for your motherboard and get the manual....

 

[xynyx]

Thanks for all the help/suggestions, but unfortunately I think my mobo is toast. Perhaps this is a sign that it is time to get a new rig. I've purchased from cyberpower pc in the past and thought they provided a pretty good deal. Any thoughts on this company or suggestions on alternative dealers?

Thanks again.

 

[C1]

Giving up too easily. I suspect that you have a subliminal urge for a new machine. What youve experienced has happened a couple times to me. It has turned out to be a lose or marginal connector to the MB each time. if you want to keep your current rig then you will have to do what already has been recommended. I would add to also wipe all contacts with a VCR head cleaner shammy soaked in DEOXIT before reconnecting parts. Also, remove, then clean using DEOXIT and reconnect all MB connections and include as well the connections to HDDs and any Optical drives.

 

[Matt1970]

<Mod note: thread was bumped by a spammer. Spam removed, leaving this as the first new post. -Admin DrPizza>

I find it extremely unlikely compressed air damaged your PC.

 

[Revolution 11]

I think the OP does not want to save his mobo and wants a new one.:hmm:

 

[Gunbuster]

Did you go completely bonkers and ice up a component by holding the can upside-down and then fire the rig up right away? If so yes you might have fried something from the ice/water.

 

[Phanuel]

Nearly a 2 year old NECRO from a spammer guys...

 

[corkyg]

I find it extremely unlikely compressed air damaged your PC.

Actually it is not all that uncommon. If a standard can of air is used, it contains a propellant. If the can is tilted during discharge, some of that propellant in liquid form can get mixed with the air. Most all cans have a warning about that

Just looked at one of my cans, and the warnings start with, "Never shake or tilt before or during usage. Use in upright position only."

If that rule is violated, it is possible to force some liquid into connectors and cause a short.

Yeah - this an old message. 1st compucare is guilty of "necrorection."

 

[thestrangebrew1]

Old thread, but I use an air pump for an air mattress to blow out the the dust in my PCs. Works great and no propellant. I got a little adapter to narrow down the nozzle in tighter spots and works like a charm.

 

[Charlie98]

Old thread, but I use an air pump for an air mattress to blow out the the dust in my PCs. Works great and no propellant. I got a little adapter to narrow down the nozzle in tighter spots and works like a charm.

That's not a bad idea... I'll have to give that a try. :awe: