Computer wont start/boot

[vrbaba]

So it had been restarting automatically and randomly once a week or so. At first i thought it was overheating issues, and i disabled automatic restart on error (to see if there is a bsod). But no BSOD. The computer is "on" with the green power light, just shuts off everything else.
There are NO messages in the Event Viewer regarding this.
Now, the problems became more and more frequent, until today, when I try to start it, it just wont start. The green light comes on, but not the hard disk. Ihave 2 hard disks, there had been some access issues and errors on the second hard disk, so I scheduled a chkdsk on restart yesterday on it, and rebooted. it found bunch of errors and fixed them.

The XP is a fairly recent install (abt a month or two old) after the computer was having similar problems (it would restart automatically every 5-10 minutes). I did a complete reinstall and problem seem to went away (after testing every single component in the system).

Any ideas where to start?

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

I would look at in order of likelyhood,

1. PSU
   HDD
   Ram
   Short (try outside the box)

 

[vrbaba]

PSU is 3 months old. unlikely, but def. not impossible.

I disconnected both the hard drives, the computer still doesnt post.
Video Card or Mobo??

Basically, is there anything I can do to narrow the problem, besides start replacing individual components and see which one works?

 

[Alopez777]

Hi Vrbaba,

Two months ago my own system displayed the same symptoms as yours until one day it would not power up. (light comes on outside case but no POST). I've been through 2 RMA's with Gigabyte (same MB) and 2 RMA's with AMD as I burned out 2 CPU's troubleshooting this MB.

(u may have a 'short' in the case so be careful not to do anything further until u do the following)

Here is my suggestion:

1. Unplug your system.
2. Strap on your ESD bracelet (if u don't have one go buy one)
3. Open your case and connect your ESD connector to ground yourself.
4. Disconnect all cables going to MB.
5. Remove all cards (video, pci cards, and yes, even RAM modules...) (Leave CPU/FAN in-place)
6. Remove your MB from case and place it on a NON-Static surface (MB box)
7. Insert your Video card
8. Reconnect your PSU to MB
9. Connect video cable to video card
10. Disconnect ESD strap from case
11. Plug in PSU and power on system.
NOTE: Listen for beep's and look for POST on monitor.
NOTE: Verify if CPU Fan spins up.

If above fails to produce anything, you may try using a different PSU and/or remove the CPU from MB and power up again. (Listen for beep's from MB)

What I suspect is regulator on MB is bad and/or CPU is blown because of PSU being faulty or an electrical short caused by something falling in to your case (as simple as a strand of hair).

Check for MB warranty and CPU warranty...

I was pretty lucky, my MB and CPU's were still under warranty.

Let me know how things turn out.

alan

P.S. > forgot to mention, I spoke with Gigabyte Tech support and my MB had blown the regulator twice... as both RMA's they had to replace the regulator. Techie told me that this issue is caused by 1 of 3 things:

> Faulty PSU
> a short in the case
> improper handling of MB (ie. not using ESD strap to ground yourself during MB install)

Also, just wanted to reiterate that my system did exactly as your system did.. (So it had been restarting automatically and randomly once a week or so)

 

[vrbaba]

Hmm...interesting.
I guess if my mobo is already shorted, I would have to replace it, right?
Where can I get this ESD strap anyways, locally? Ive got Fry's, BB, etc within range. Im guessing Fry's is the best bet. How much is it usually?

I have an Abit IS7 mobo, about 5-6 years old now, doubt if its under warranty. But, where is this regulator on the mobo? Any way I can figure out whether its blown or not by looking at it??

 

[Alopez777]

vrbaba,

NEGATORY on visual inspection of regulator and warranty. (MB usually only have 3yr warranty and electronic components for the most part always look NEW after wiping 3yrs of dust of them)

ESD strap is inexpensive (Fry's or BB) $5-12 bucks.

If you can find a cheap used or new MB (EXACT MODEL Abit IS7) go for it.

If your MB is that old u may think about purchasing a whole new machine.

A piece of advise from someone who has built pc's for over 8 years, don't waste your time and money repairing a very old machine UNLESS you need the data on that boot drive. (may be cheaper to replace CPU or MB (MB exact model) then to pay for data recovery efforts).

Also, building a pc from scratch is a very nice fullfilling experience until it takes an 'industrial sh!t' on you then u feel like tossing the paper weight under a IED.

If you plan to purchase a new PC... go with Dell or Apple and make SURE to purchase the extended warranty coverage (it's worth every penny)

If your machines stops working...

Dell will send a tech to your home.
or
Apple, find your nearest Apple store and drop it off

 

[vrbaba]

This machine was built by me originally...i upgraded the cpu and ram and random stuff intermittently every year or every two years.

I was planning to build a new machine towards the end of this year, but looks like it will have to be this summer. I would never buy a desktop, building is so much fun and cheaper.

I dont need the boot drive, but my immediate needs are to get data i need for school from my secondary drive. I will buy a HD usb enclosure for now to use it with my laptop. Does anyone know if its safe to use the hdd in the enclosure and then if I put it back in the machine, it would still work as is (it has no boot data/partition)? Should work, but never done it, so just making sure.

Thanks for ur help Alan