Computer does not enter POST

[carmichael81]

Hi, I dont know much about computers and I'm having trouble diagnosing a problem.

The older computer in my den is unresponsive on startup, aside from a few beeps. The fans are spinning, and I don't have the manual for the old thing. Is there any way I can identify the motherboard to more easily diagnose the problem?

 

[dfuze]

Without being able to post, I'd say you're stuck opening the side to look at the motherboard make/model. With that, you can search online to decifer what the beep codes mean.

My two guesses off the top of my head would be either a dying power supply or dead ram (one bad chip can cause it all not to start).

 

[carmichael81]

Alright DPH, thanks for the VERY fast reply, I'll check back with you soon with any updates I can get

 

[mechBgon]

Welcome to the Forums Motherboards often have their brand and/or model silk-screened on the surface like this pic: Abit IC7-MAX3

Was the computer working before, and it just recently failed? What pattern of beeps is it giving, if you can discern one (they may use shorter and longer beeps in combination, so that's useful too)?

 

[carmichael81]

I took the RAM sticks out, and it doesn't beep any more, but still doesn't enter POST.

However, the beeping stopped, but I did find the make/model: ECS K7S5A. I'll try the manual online, and I'll reply back with the beeping pattern if I don't find it in the manual.

Thanks folks

 

[mechBgon]

K7S5A, I had one of those It died in its sleep several years ago

One other thing you could try, is to try a different surge supressor / power strip, just as a quick thing to try. I know that sounds out in left field, but I had a seemingly-failed computer once at the office whose symptoms were cured with a new power strip.

 

[John]

The K7S5A is notorious for blown and leaking capacitors. Please look at this pic and then look inside your case at the motherboard to check your caps.

 

[carmichael81]

Mech: I'll try that.

John: I'll check that out.

I found this page http://www.bioscentral.com/beepcodes/amibeep.htm and counted the beeps:
2 short, then 8 short

-- POST Failure
and
-- Display memory read/write error

 

[carmichael81]

No bad caps, i also changed the power supply but no help there.

 

[dfuze]

Might be a dumb question, but when you took out the ram, did you take it all out at once, or leave one stick in at a time. If you took all out, then no computer would turn on. Try to leave one stick in at a time and see if it posts.