Computer Failure - Black Screen, No Post, No Bios

[latches]

Hello Everyone,

So, Ive searched and troubleshooted as much as I can but have come up with no solution to why the computer has failed.

My siblings were using the computer when suddenly the screen went black, the sound went nuts, and it stopped showing anything on screen. Now, after powering the computer down and starting it back up, there is NO POST, NO BIOS, and NOTHING on screen.

Troubleshooting:

• Replaced Power Supply: Nothing
• Tested fans: All come ON.
• Took out RAM and used one stick at a time: Nothing
• Took out GPU and tried an old one: Nothing
• Took out RAM and tested for error message: Got RAM error sound for no RAM present
• Took out GPU and powered on without it: Got GPU error sound for no GPU present
• Disconnected DVD Drive and Hard drive: No change
• Took out CMOS battery: Nothing
• Reseated all peripherals: No change

I have NO idea whats going on. The motherboard could be fried, all the ram could be done, the GPU could be done, the CPU could be done.

And whats worse? Its all old tech:

CPU: Core 2 Quad Q6600
RAM: 8GB DDR2
Mobo: Gigabyte
GPU: XFX GTX 260 Core 216

I dont know what to do...or what the problem could be...

 

[Burpo]

Your call.. Time to retire it & buy new/used system?

Or fix it & ride out for another yr or so.. You've pretty much diagnosed it as the board ..

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Intel-DG965...891?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cf3fb006b

 

[latches]

I mean, if its the board then Ill just salvage what I can and go as low end as I can with a few new parts. Ill go current gen i3 with a new set of RAM and board and keep it cheap. Will be easier that way. Ill be able to keep the GPU, PSU and HDD and DVD drive at least. Along with the case and fans and such. You really think its the board?

 

[Burpo]

Definitely..
Replacing the board's not a bad option & will be the cheapest. Quad cores are still plenty capable. I'm typing on my 8yr old Gateway right now

 

[latches]

lol this old girl is around 7-8 years old now too. Built her originally in like 2007 and swapped in the PSU and GPU around a year or two later. I knew my PC Power and Cooling PSU wasnt gonna go bad like that. I bought a replacement Corsair because I was certain it was the problem and now after installing it...nothing. No dice. Makes me sad but I might as well modernize the system. A new CPU, DDR3 RAM and a new Mobo...gonna cost be $300 basically. That and Ill probably do the same for my dads computer just to bring it up to modern times. Another $250.

 

[VirtualLarry]

there is NO POST, NO BIOS, and NOTHING on screen.

Troubleshooting:

• Replaced Power Supply: Nothing
• Took out RAM and tested for error message: Got NO RAM error sound
• Took out GPU and powered on without it: Got NO GPU error sound

I have NO idea whats going on. The motherboard could be fried, all the ram could be done, the GPU could be done, the CPU could be done.

And whats worse? Its all old tech:

CPU: Core 2 Quad Q6600
RAM: 8GB DDR2
Mobo: Gigabyte
GPU: XFX GTX 260 Core 216

I dont know what to do...or what the problem could be...

If you are getting the appropriate beep codes for no RAM and no GPU, then that suggests to me that the CPU is OK, and at least part of the board is OK.

After this happened, did you smell anything acrid, like burnt electronics, from either the PSU or the board?

I'm wondering if a VRM or cap went on the board. Can you remove the board from the case, and inspect it carefully (and smell it)? Can you also try to power it on outside the case?

It's curious that you can't get it to boot with one stick of RAM. You've tried all four sticks, in both the 1st and last slot? Maybe try the 2nd physical slot too.

Do you have a speaker hooked up to the board? Possibly a PCI POST diag card with LED readouts would be helpful here.

Edit: Does the system seemingly power up (but of course, no POST), when you plug in the 24-pin ATX cable, but unplug the 4-pin or 8-pin ATX12V connector, and try to power-on? If so, then a VRM may be dead.

 

[Burpo]

Larry, read his post..he got no sounds from it!! It's dead.. Fin, Kapoot! Over! Done! It does nothing.. Dead mobo..

 

[VirtualLarry]

By the way the OP capitalized "NO RAM" and "NO GPU", it made it seem like the mobo was indeed giving the appropriate beep codes for those conditions. OP, can you clarify? When you removed all the RAM, did you get beep codes when you tried to boot? If you did, then the board isn't completely dead.

 

[denis280]

Replaced Power Supply: Nothing Tested fans: All come ON. Took out RAM and used one stick at a time: Nothing Took out GPU and tried an old one: Nothing Took out RAM and tested for error message: Got NO RAM error sound Took out GPU and powered on without it: Got NO GPU error sound Disconnected DVD Drive and Hard drive: No change Took out CMOS battery: Nothing Reseated all peripherals: No change

The Board

It's dead.. Fin, Kapoot! Over! Done! It does nothing.. Dead mobo..

This

 

[latches]

lol okay, sorry, I do have to clarify.

When I took out the GPU I did in fact yet the error sound/code signifying that there was no GPU attached. Similarly, when I removed all the RAM, I got an error code signifying that there was no RAM in the system.

I apologize if I wrote it poorly lol.

Now, when the PSU is all hooked up, the computer and fans come on just fine. There is just no POST beep. There is also nothing showing on screen. And wait, if its partially screwed up, doesnt that mean it needs to be replaced anyway? lol.

Edit: Also, if I do in fact have to replace the motherboard, would you guys recommend going AMD? I mean, Id just be giving the thing new life. No further upgrades would be made. Id also be upgrading my dads computer with the same parts to bring it to a better level.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Well, your best diagnostic solution at this time would be a PCI POST diag card, with dual-digit LED readout, and you could possibly cross-ref the code it hangs on with a BIOS reference for your board, and try to figure out why POST is hanging.

Of course, if you are going to spend money on that, then you might want to just skip fixing this board, and upgrade.

Edit: You said in your OP that you removed the CMOS battery. Did you try the CLEAR CMOS jumper? I would pull the mobo out, single stick of RAM in the first slot, plug in a known-working GPU, clear CMOS, put it back to normal after 10 seconds, then try to boot.

 

[latches]

Looks like a PCI PC Diagnostic card isnt too expensive. Can be had for $5-15. I might get one just to have it when Im fixing other computers.

Now, I took out the CMOS battery thinking that that was all I had to do. Left it for 30 or so seconds and then put it back in. Nothing changed. I just looked and I do see the CLR CMOS jumper but how do I use it? I assume I have to make a connection between them? Also, what am I trying to find by doing that? Would a simple CMOS clear, really fix this problem?

Maybe I should also give some background. Before this complete failure there were several other odd events. First, after a few years holding a pretty decent overclock the system began to destabalize. It couldnt hold the overclock anymore. I had overclocked it to 3.2GHz from 2.4GHz. Thats pretty substantial but it held it for years. I dont remember what prompted me to remove the overclock but I did and it was stable for a long time.

Then, after a time, the computer started restarting on its own. It would power down and then power back up and it would take ages to boot up to windows. I may have stabilized that by completely removing the overclock but I cant remember. So now, as if to finally fail, it refuses to recover lol. What does that tell you?

 

[VirtualLarry]

I just looked and I do see the CLR CMOS jumper but how do I use it? I assume I have to make a connection between them? Also, what am I trying to find by doing that? Would a simple CMOS clear, really fix this problem?

If it's a two-pin header, then you just need to find a jumper to short them together for 5-10 seconds. If it's a three-pin header, then it should already have a jumper on it, in "normal" position. Move it to the other position ("clear") for 10 seconds, then move it back before powering back up.

It couldn't hurt, and if you had something overclocked that no longer liked that setting, or changed GPUs, then it's helpful sometimes.

Maybe I should also give some background. Before this complete failure there were several other odd events. First, after a few years holding a pretty decent overclock the system began to destabalize. It couldnt hold the overclock anymore. I had overclocked it to 3.2GHz from 2.4GHz. Thats pretty substantial but it held it for years. I dont remember what prompted me to remove the overclock but I did and it was stable for a long time.

Then, after a time, the computer started restarting on its own. It would power down and then power back up and it would take ages to boot up to windows. I may have stabilized that by completely removing the overclock but I cant remember. So now, as if to finally fail, it refuses to recover lol. What does that tell you?

Well, computer powering off and then powering back up, could be the PSU becoming unstable. A Q6600 does draw a lot of power. Or, it could be the motherboard, specifically the capacitors (small can-like things) aging, failing, drying out, etc. Or, it could be the CPU VRMs getting old, burned-out, weak, etc.

A close visual inspection should tell you if any of the caps are failing. Go to badcaps.net and look at their examples of bad caps.

But yeah, now that you give the back-story, perhaps it was just time for the board to go.

Edit: A sudden catastrophic failure while the system was running, could indicate that the PSU, GPU, or board suddenly went out on you. I would guess that it would be a cap or VRM, either on the board, or on the video card. What PSUs have you tried?

 

[Ketchup]

Hi latches, 3.2 isn't too much at all for a G0 stepping, as long as you weren't going crazy with the voltage and temperatures. I believe I kept mine right around there. It made it to 3.6, but took too much voltage.

Anyway, the symptoms point to a failing motherboard, possibly the power supply. You may want to look at the board under a flashlight and see if any of the capacitors are leaking or bulging, which would be a definitive answer for you.

Power supplies will also do this, where they just "shut off" without the OS showing a blue screen. Over time, they will get worse. If you have some place nearby, I would buy one just to test with, assuming the board doesn't show the physical damage described above.

Edit: looks like VL beat me to it, with similar observations.

 

[latches]

I wont be able to do the CMOS Clear or give the mobo a good look over for a week. Im away from home but I see what you're saying VL. Now, I could test my GPU but Ive been afraid to put anything into the mobo like another GPU because I dont want it to get fried because of the problem. lol. I could swap the GTX 260 into another computer to see if its still good though. If not then crap but would a bad GPU really cause it to stop POSTing?

Also, Id like to admit a mistake. While testing the parts I had the GPU unscrewed and accidentally nudged it (after the failure mind you) and it slid out of the PCIE slot a bit. At that point I got the GPU error code. Would the card moving out of the slot while the computer is on damage it? It didnt come out all the way but...yea...*shameface*

 

[denis280]

lol okay, sorry, I do have to clarify.

When I took out the GPU I did in fact yet the error sound/code signifying that there was no GPU attached. Similarly, when I removed all the RAM, I got an error code signifying that there was no RAM in the system.

I apologize if I wrote it poorly lol.

Now, when the PSU is all hooked up, the computer and fans come on just fine. There is just no POST beep. There is also nothing showing on screen. And wait, if its partially screwed up, doesnt that mean it needs to be replaced anyway? lol.

Edit: Also, if I do in fact have to replace the motherboard, would you guys recommend going AMD? I mean, Id just be giving the thing new life. No further upgrades would be made. Id also be upgrading my dads computer with the same parts to bring it to a better level.

Thats more clear.to me it points to the psu,and for the gpu coming out from the socket,this might caused a short.

 

[latches]

But I changed out the PSU for a working one from another computer. Its an 550W XFX Core Edition PSU and is in perfect working order. There was no change to the condition of the computer.

 

[latches]

Do you guys think my GPU or CPU could be causing the problem? A friend of mine is saying the CPU might be the problem since its so old...I have to properly rule out the GPU by putting it in another computer but I wanted to ask as well. Im not getting any error codes while its seated and powered up properly with the other PSU so I just cant seem to believe it would be the problem.

 

[Ketchup]

The CPU is generally the last thing to go, especially the Intel's with thermal throttling built in. Since you have ruled out the power supply, if a CMOS reset doesn't fix the issue, you may be down to the board.

Now, decent boards are going on eBay for $30 to $50. Personally, I wouldn't pay more than that for one of these. You may even take this to mean it's upgrade time. The board wouldn't be known to be the culprit unless you can see the physical damage, such as what VL mentioned.

 

[latches]

Ill check this weekend and let you know. I really appreciate the feedback so far guys. Thanks.

 

[latches]

So, @VirtualLarry and @ketchup79 I have a terribly embarrassing admission to make. I do not think that I tested the GPU thoroughly enough out of both stubbornness and fear of damaging my other computer.

I took my GTX 260 out of my bad Q6600 computer finally and stuck it into my good computer and bam - there you go - no BIOs, no POST, nothing on screen. Now the question is, could I have fried it during my other tests? I dont think so but I have to ask. And now I have to get another GPU lol...for this old Bessy of mine.

Also, do you still think its the mobo? lol...

 

[denis280]

Also, do you still think its the mobo? lol...

Not really.

While testing the parts I had the GPU unscrewed and accidentally nudged it

But then this

I took my GTX 260 out of my bad Q6600 computer finally and stuck it into my good computer and bam - there you go - no BIOs, no POST,

Bad gpu or shorted,one way or another you will need a new gpu

 

[Amol S.]

_____My old computer went thru the same thing, luckily on the day this happened I already had bought a new computer that was still in the box, so I took it out and started researching, this happened in December of 2013.
_____I discovered a few possibilities of what can cause this to happen. The most likely reason is that the power pack has gone bad (this is fixable). The second runner up is called a CPU power virus( if this happens it is good bye to ur PC. [ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power_virus ], the third runner up is zero-day virus ( same thing good bye to pc) [ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero-day_virus ], the fourth runner up is a electrical surge that destroyed everything, fifth runner up is hard drive failure, sixth runner up is a zip file bomb, and lastly seventh runner up is a manufacturing defect.
_____So the most probable are the powerpack, the power virus, and the zero day virus, just hope it is the power pack.

 

[latches]

What do you mean by "shorted"? And yea, I am now looking for a GPU to replace it but Im not sure what to get. Should I take my good GPU and put it in my bad computer and see if it comes on normally? I either want to get an upgrade for my good computer or a cheap GPU (better than a GTX 260) for my bad computer. What do you guys suggest?

 

[Amol S.]

What do you mean by "shorted"? And yea, I am now looking for a GPU to replace it but Im not sure what to get. Should I take my good GPU and put it in my bad computer and see if it comes on normally? I either want to get an upgrade for my good computer or a cheap GPU (better than a GTX 260) for my bad computer. What do you guys suggest?

you can get a cellphone or tablet in that much money, and that can replace your old computer.