• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

I beseech thee, help me

J

jonnypedantic

Junior Member
I built a PC about a year ago. It worked just fine for about six months. Then it started giving me intermittent driver errors, which I ignored because it still worked most of the time and I didn't feel like digging into the cause. Then I began to have boot problems where I would hit the power button, and the computer would start up and die but then boot fine after a second try. I would also sometimes get strange BIOS error messages suggesting that I restore the default settings because overclocking failed (I should add that I have never overclocked this system). Eventually that segued into the computer just not starting at all. I get no video, no beep codes and no response, but all the components seem to be having fun on their own (e.g., fans spin, drives work). I've tried a whole host of things to get it to work. I've tried unplugging components one at a time and all except for one and just about every combination in between. One thing I wasn't able to do was independently test some of the components in a different system, because I don't have one available to me. However, I purchased a new, better PSU, thinking that was the cause, and that had no effect. Most recently, I bought a new motherboard, thinking that surely that was the problem, to no avail. I get no response from any of the different component arrangements, except when I pull all of the RAM, and then the computer beeps and won't stop until I power it down. This issue has been a thorn in my side for quite a while now. One of the smartest things I ever did was buy a Lenovo X200 when this PC went down. They're not too sexy, but I'll be goddamned if they aren't the most solid, reliable computers mankind has ever seen. Still, I would just like play some games and watch some of my goddamn Blu-ray movies before HD streaming renders them completely obsolete. This computer makes me want to vomit and pull out all of my hair at the same time, but I don't have any undigested food or hair left. Please help. Any suggestions are appreciated. If anyone has any home remedies, I'm willing to consider sprinkling salt, paprika or just about anything else in my kitchen all over the insides of this thing if it will make it go. I've pretty much resigned myself buying yet more expensive parts that I may not need in order to fix this thing, but hopefully someone can at least steer me in the right direction to perhaps avoid more unnecessary part-buying. Specs below.

CPU: Intel Q6600
Motherboard: Asus P5QL Pro (formerly Asus P5K-E Wifi-AP)
Video: Diamond Radeon 3850 512MB
RAM: 4x Crucial Ballistix 1GB 1066MHz DDR2
PSU: BFG 550W (formerly shitty 480W)
PCI Express: Hauppage WinTV-HVR-1800
Optical: Pioneer BDC-202
HD: Western Digital Caviar 500GB
OS: Vista Home Premium 64-bit (not that it matters, since I haven't seen the operating system in about half a year)

Please help before I do something I might regret to it. Let me know if I can provide any additional information. Thank you.
 
You need to start by testing the system at a minimum configuration. Unplug anything not required to complete POST. You only need the CPU, ONE stick of RAM, VGA, and Power. If that doesn't work, try another stick of RAM, ONE at a time. Based on your description it's probably a RAM issue..
 
My guess would also be Ram which has corrupted the OS on the hard drive. Ultimately might need new ram, reset CMOS, and reinstall OS.

Good Luck!!!
 
Thank you all. I have already tried the minimum configuration, as well as all sticks of RAM one by one. Nothing changes. If it's the RAM, does that mean that all four sticks went bad at once? Is that a typical scenario?
 
Originally posted by: ch33zw1z
You need to start by testing the system at a minimum configuration. Unplug anything not required to complete POST. You only need the CPU, ONE stick of RAM, VGA, and Power. If that doesn't work, try another stick of RAM, ONE at a time. Based on your description it's probably a RAM issue..
Click to expand...

Bingo. Except that if your RAM is all bad even this won't work.

Crucial 2x1GB DDR2-667 $17 shipped

For starters, buy that for testing. This is Crucial's "mainstream" RAM that functions at 1.8V so is much less likely to have problems or suffer early burnout (unlike those Ballistix you've got, that are rated for like 2.2V or something ridiculous).

Pull your four Ballistix and drop these two in instead. Clear your BIOS and then attempt to boot. If it comes up - guess what, you just solved your problem! If not, strip your system down to essentials (as described above) and try again. Let us know what happens.

EDIT: Or, if you just want to be done with messing around with memory, get these.

G.Skill 2x2GB DDR2-800 $40 shipped
 
You guys were absolutely right. It was the RAM. I bought some new memory at a local parts shop (aka some dude's car trunk in an alleyway) and popped it in, and it started up without preamble. I can't believe it! A thousand thanks to you all! You have my undying appreciation and gratitude. I also can't believe it was so easy--for that stupidity I shall have to give myself thirty lashes with the cat-o'-nine-tails.
 
The RAM is always suspect one, followed by a problem with the SMPS. Had a similar problem some time back.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top