Help please! Go to boot up computer and BIOS wont even post!

nitsuj3580

Platinum Member
Jun 13, 2001
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ok, well past threads i've posted the last couple days, my computer has been randomly rebooting. Well today, it randomly rebooted and i shut it off. When I went to reboot, nothing comes up, not even the BIOS :(

i've tried switching power supplies, taking out my RAM, any extra peripherals, etc. I don't overclock at all. see my pc specs in my sig.

Can people give me reasons/solutions why when I turn on my computer, my BIOS wont even post? I check the LED on the mobo, and i get the code 26 which means Reserved acording to the 8k7a manual. is my mobo or bios chip or processor bad? I've had this computer for ~2 years now.

if someone could IM me at S/N: Nitsuj3580 I'd really appreciate it!
 

Markfw

Moderator Emeritus, Elite Member
May 16, 2002
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I don't use IM, but are you sure your CPU fan is working ? I don't know if your board is new enough for that, but just a thought. Also, unplug all drives ( power AND signal cables), and remove all cards (except video), clear CMOS, then manually short the power SW (if you know how to do that, otherwise skip this step) or power on. Reply with results.
 

jagr10

Golden Member
Jan 21, 2001
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OMG, you have the 8K7a too? I built my computer with it 2 years ago and a couple months ago it was nothing but problems. I replaced it with a new mobo and all was well. I also had a similar problem to yours with another computer where the bios wouldn't boot but the computer would turn on. I tried resetting CMOS several times and nothing. I switched the cpu with a newer one and all worked well.

I'm guessing it's your cpu. If you can afford it, grab a new mobo and cpu.
 

nitsuj3580

Platinum Member
Jun 13, 2001
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Originally posted by: Markfw900
I don't use IM, but are you sure your CPU fan is working ? I don't know if your board is new enough for that, but just a thought. Also, unplug all drives ( power AND signal cables), and remove all cards (except video), clear CMOS, then manually short the power SW (if you know how to do that, otherwise skip this step) or power on. Reply with results.


I have the case open so I see that everything powers on including the CPU fan, case fans, led lights on hard drive, etc. I'll try the CMOS step but not holding my breath. thanks for the help. I will be posting a lot on this in this thread to try to solve my problem if you guys wouldn't mind checking up on it on occasion.

Jagr10, did you try contacting epox at all? what mobo/cpu did you switch to? i was planning on building a pc soon anyway but was hoping to keep this as a file server and load up Server 2k3 evaluation kit on it to test it out :(
 

nitsuj3580

Platinum Member
Jun 13, 2001
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cleared the CMOS and powered on

now I get a C1 on the LED which means "Auto detection of onboard DRAM & cache"

still nothing shows up on the monitor :(
 

Markfw

Moderator Emeritus, Elite Member
May 16, 2002
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Have you checked the voltage of the PSU with a VOM ? Starting to sound like a PSU problem. Unplug the lights, drives, etc, like I suggested, and see if you get further.
 

nitsuj3580

Platinum Member
Jun 13, 2001
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Originally posted by: Markfw900
Have you checked the voltage of the PSU with a VOM ? Starting to sound like a PSU problem. Unplug the lights, drives, etc, like I suggested, and see if you get further.

it can't be the power supply can it? As I said in my original post, I've tried multiple power supplies and no luck. Everything has been unplugged. Dont have a voltmeter handy but what are the odds of 3 power supplies that work in my other computers not workin in this computer

I have a feeling I got a problem like jagr10 had and am SOL :(
 

Markfw

Moderator Emeritus, Elite Member
May 16, 2002
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You could still have 3 power supplies with not enough power, you didn't state what kinds you tried(like a good Antec 300 or better ?). That 1.2 t-bird sucks a lot of power. Forget shorting the power switch, at the time I recommended that I didn't know all fans powered up. But have you disconnected everything I said and tried to power up ?

Edit, missed the fact you un-plugged everything. But there is still a change of PSU not being enough. Most likely at this point is motherboard. Might as well get a good cpu while you are at it.
 

nitsuj3580

Platinum Member
Jun 13, 2001
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yah, i'm hearing a little zap coming from somewhere (i want to say from cpu area) everytime i shut it off and unplug the power cable

ok, i reset the cmos and then set the cmos jumper back to normal and now i can't power up at all :(

have been running an Antec 300 W PS (SX830 case) for the past two years in it with no problems

and tried a Leadman 300 W ps also