Computer not booting/no video

[rsd]

So I really managed to screw something up on one of my machines.
The background info is that I got a new 160gb drive and put it into my older 2ghz P4. Well I think the combination of an older motherboard, 1gb ram, the ati card and the > 120gb hd was causing issues (delay write errors and some other issues) which I actually found documentation of describing similar configurations.

So I decided to switch that 160gb with a 120gb from my 400sc. So I did that and the 400sc runs fine. However the 2ghz one doesn't even boot up. So I tried taking out the extra HD and left the original boot disk, and nothing even shows up on the screen when I turn it on. The light on it flashes for 2 seconds when I turn it on then nothing. I connected it to another monitor and same thing, so it's not that. I tried to make sure the video card didn't get dislodged and it seems ok (and it's literally 2 weeks old). The monitor shows that it is connected, because when I disconnect it from the computer it gives a No Signal message.

I tried replacing the ribbon cable and no change. I played with some of the master/cable select settings and nothing. Any ideas? I'll play around with it more tonight, but it wasn't making sense to me. I didn't try booting from a disk, but it wasn't even getting to loading the bios. Thanks for any help.

 

[us3rnotfound]

is the 4 pin 12 volt connector secured hard? keep us posted

 

[rsd]

I thought it was secured, I tried connecting two different connectors to check. I'll try these ideas when I get home tonight, as I was just baffled last night because everything was working fine before. Very possible it is something stupid like a loose connection but I was trying to check things like that last night. Thanks shminu.

Originally posted by: shminu
is the 4 pin 12 volt connector secured hard? keep us posted

 

[us3rnotfound]

ok

 

[rsd]

Bump.

Does this sound like a hardware malfunction to anyone? I hope not but I can't tell. I don't get any beeping sound from the MB etc. I click power, I see the HD flash for 2-3 seconds then nothing. And no output to the monitor. I'm hoping just I missed some connection because it seem strange that I don't even get to the loadup screen (regardless whether it is finding a HD or not).

 

[Dufman]

usually, if there is no beeping, it is a problem with the proc. so try and re-seat that sucker in there, and make sure it is good and tight. it may look like its in there but you must make sure, do the same with the video card.. also some mobo's require that there is a fan plugged into the board for it to boot so you dont over heat your system

in summary
1. check fan connections
2. reseat proc
3. swap out proc
4. reseat video card
5. swap video card
6. pray

goodluck

 

[rsd]

Thanks! I'll reply back with my results tonight, I'll be hoping I won't need to do much of #6.

Originally posted by: Dufman
usually, if there is no beeping, <STRONG>it is a problem with the proc</STRONG>. so try and re-seat that sucker in there, and make sure it is good and tight. it may look like its in there but you must make sure, do the same with the video card.. also some mobo's require that there is a fan plugged into the board for it to boot so you dont over heat your system

in summary
1. check fan connections
2. reseat proc
3. swap out proc
4. reseat video card
5. swap video card
6. pray

goodluck

 

[rsd]

Well I'm home and I tried a few things:

1) Tried to Reset Video Card - nothing
2) Replaced Video Card - Nothing
3) Took out RAM and reset it - nothing
4) Replaced Ribbon cable for HD - nothing
5) Tried different power supply connectors to the HD - nothing

Also I can see the CPU fan on.

If the HD is improperly connected wouldn't at least something show up on the monitor? I am getting no connection at all. I tried playing with the Master/Cable Select settings of the HD too.

I might try only putting in the new HD I was going to add as a slave and see what happens.

Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks.

 

[Special1Sauce]

I'd say mobo is shot or Processor is dead. Have you reseat your CPU or heatsink?

 

[rsd]

I haven't touched the CPU/heatsink yet, and I'm a little hesistant to do so but I will if needed.

The strange thing part is the computer was working fine the other day, but then I decided to swap the secondary HD I had in it with another one, and since I attempted that it's done this.

 

[rsd]

I'm giving up for the night. Still not sure what the issue is. When I turn it on, I can feel the HD get slightly warm so I know it is getting power. Oh well, not sure if it's worth taking it into a place like BestBuy to have them take a quick look at it or I should start getting another computer.

 

[Dufman]

you have to go for the proc.

that should fix all of your problems

if the HD wasnt connected, you should see a message like "insert bootable media"

 

[rsd]

Sigh, that's what I'm fearing. I'm not exactly sure how to take it out since it is a pre-built system and I'm a bit hesistant to mess with the fan and cpu. That, and it is an older processer P4 2.0ghz so if it truly is the cpu I may have to just ditch it and salvage the components. Thanks.

Originally posted by: Dufman
you have to go for the proc.

that should fix all of your problems

if the HD wasnt connected, you should see a message like "insert bootable media"