Computer won't start

[dgolverk]

Hi,
Yesterday I was working in the computer when suddenly there was one long beep and it turned off... I tries to turn it on but it shuts off again after about 3 seconds. All the fans working, the green light on the motherboard works but the computer won't just start. It's a year old computer by the way.
Any ideas what can I do?
Thanks,

 

[bwatson283]

http://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm

Specs would help!

 

[jackschmittusa]

Sounds like the cpu fan died.

 

[dgolverk]

It was just one long beep when it shut off the first time yesterday(I also pressed ctrl alt del at that moment), I've never heard it anymore.
Computer specs: AMD 3800+, 1024mb Crosair ram, ASUS M2N - E, 400W power supply (star tech), 7300gs.
So I've already tried reseating video card and RAM but no luck.
Any suggestions?
Thanks,

EDIT: By the way all fans are working perfectly

 

[jackschmittusa]

One long beep may be an overheat alarm. Running for a few seconds and shutting off is often caused by a "no signal" condition from the cpu fan. It can still spin but not send an rpm signal to the mb, or it may spin too slowly for the mb to think it working properly.

 

[dgolverk]

Well I just don't think it has to do with overheat since yesterday before the problem I checked temperatures and they all were around 30C... I was thinking maybe the power supply is just too weak?

 

[robisbell]

make sure the correct plugs are plugged into the correct ports on the motherboard, and how much thermal paste did you use on the CPU when you mounted the HSF?

 

[dgolverk]

Everything is in the correct place, and I did not put the thermal paste as I wasn't the one to assemble the computer.

 

[robisbell]

well, get some 90% or high isopropryl alcohol, qtips and pop the HSF off and clean the cpu and HSF, check the cpu for any visible damage, and then reseat it, then apply a pea sized drop of new thermal paste and remount the HSF and only have power running to the motherboard and video card (if it has a plug for it), one stick of ram and try booting it up.

 

[jackschmittusa]

Pea sized drop is pretty big. BB size is more like it.

 

[Narse]

did the error only happen the one time?

 

[dgolverk]

So I tried the paste, but it did not help... and yea this is the first time I see this error.

 

[dgolverk]

Alright, I borrowed an Antec 450W power supply but it still did the same problem.
I also tried to use a new video card from my computer however it did not solve the problem.
So it's not the power supply and not the video card, I'm pretty sure its not the CPU or the motherboard as there are no signs of damage on them. Anything else I can try?
By the way I bought a new RAM stick not so long ago and it worked just fine. Do you think it has something to do with?
I tried to use only the old RAM stick but it still wouldn't turn on.

 

[robisbell]

RMA both CPU and Mobo.

 

[dgolverk]

So they can be the only problem?

 

[robisbell]

you've eliminated the only other suspects.

 

[dgolverk]

I finally solved it!
I took the the motherboard out cleaned everything and put it back again with less screws and it works.
Anyways thanks for the help guys.

 

[jackschmittusa]

After doing some checking, it appears that a number of people have had identical problems with this particular mb. Asus has a 3yr warranty.

I would RMA the mb, but not the cpu.