Computer Show tomorrow-Need Your Advice Tonight

[cheapherk]

Here's the senario:

Computer 1 (NOT Working)& Computer 2 (Working)

I. Computer 1 stopped working- no boot screen, no nothing.
1) Tried different video card
2) tried different PSU
3) tried different RAM
*Still no boot screen; no nothing

II. Tried Computer 1's hard drive in Computer 2
1) Got boot screen, and was given selection to start Windows normally, or in safe mode, etc.
That's as far as it would go.

III. Tried Computer 1's RAM in Computer 2
1) Everything fine

IV. Tried Computer 2's RAM in Computer 1
1) No Boot; no nothing

Intially I thought it was the hard drive, but I believe I should still get the boot screen. Which now makes me think the motherboard is bad, but when I connect the HD from Computer 1 into Computer 2, it would not even boot into Windows..

What's your opinion? HDD? MB? BOTH (but what are the chances?)

 

[mechBgon]

Could you post detailed specs on those? Also, unless the two motherboards are "family" (such as, an nForce and an nForce2), your Windows installation is not going to boot. And if it DID boot, then it would freak out and want to be re-activated due to all the changes in hardware 😛 (assuming it's WinXP).

 

[cheapherk]

Computer 1 : Athlon XP-M 2100+, Gigabyte GA-7VAX (KT400) , 40 Gig WD HDD, 512 MB OCZ PC2100 RAM, Windows XP Pro
Computer 2 : Athlon 900, Asus A7M266, 40 Gig WD HDD, 256 MB Crucial PC2700 , Windows XP Pro

 

[imported_Kainz]

i think it could be the hd but mobo could be a problem aswell. Also, take into mind.. i'm a 16 year old teenager thats not a pc maniac.. jus common sence at reading outcomes.

 

[mechBgon]

Hmm, and what about the power supplies you're testing with? Brand/model/wattages for those? What was the other video card you tried in the 7VAX, was it something that's at least AGP 4X?

 

[cheapherk]

Computer 1 has a cheapo 300W PSU & a Geforce 5200, Computer 2 has an Antec SmartPower 350W & a Geforce 4 MX. Computer 1 still wouldn't boot with the Antec. I had tried and ols Cirrus Logic PCI video card in Computer 1 to rule out the video card.

 

[mechBgon]

Hmm, then I'm with Kainz, the mobo may have kicked the bucket on you. Is there any stuff on that hard drive that you can't afford to lose? Because my nominee for a new motherboard would be the nice affordable Shuttle AN35N Ultra, but since it uses a different chipset than the old 7VAXP, you'll need to reinstall WindowsXP if you get an AN35N Ultra.

Be aware that many newer boards, including the AN35N Ultra, will want an ATX12V cable, so if your old PSU doesn't have one, pick up an Antec SL350 or something. Good luck! 🙂

 

[cheapherk]

That's what I'm leaning toward also. Nothing major on this computer (my eight-year old's). The working computer is one I just built for my Dad. I'm sure I'll be able to find something cheap tomorrow. I'll update the post once I give it a try.
Thanks for your help!

 

[skyking]

diagnostics 101

Unplug EVERYTHING from the mobo but:
video of some sort.
keyboard.
one stick of ram.
Processor.
necessary power cables.
the little connectors for the atx switches.

1) disconnect power, clear CMOS, reconnect power, try and post.


change stick of ram.

1)

change slot ram is in.

1)

change vidcard.

1)

change power supply.

1)

last thing, change proc. it is the least likely candidiate.

1)

after that, I can happily RMA or toss the motherboard.

IDE and floppy devices, PCI devices other than vid, they can fool you, so get them out of the basic "will it post at all" picture.

 

[imported_SLIM]

If you're worried about data on comp1's hdd just make it a slave in comp2 and archive whatever you need on comp2's hdd or cdr/dvdr.

 

[cheapherk]

It was the processor! Everything's cool now.