Major problems with my PC. Help!

[Frazas]

Here I go again searching for help from you guys.... oh well...

The problems is: After installing a new disk and applying some new Artic Silver 3 the computer starts up but gives continuous beeps. I have tried everything to my knowledge in regards to Computer. When giving this kind of error the first thing to do is strip the computer of all parts and start connecting them one by one. The problem is down to either the board, the CPU or the PSU (I think) because I have tried to connect only this components and the error is still there.

I even tried to unplug the memory modules to see if the error code (beep codes) was the same but it isn't. The error I get is a slighltly longer continuous beep.

When I connect the PC all the fans and all the drives seem to work. (at least the fans spin and the drives give the startup sound but I get no image in the monitor (it isn't the graphics card because I have already tried the TNT2 that I have at home and it keeps with the same error codes). The floppy drive doesn't check for the disk @ startup (although I think this is normal because the computer doesn't start the boot sequence due to the error). If it was the CPU, would the PC start up all the fans and stuff? How can I know for sure which component is causing the problem? I am going to check a different PSU from a friend to see if it's from the PSU.

Any ideas? thanks!

PS: I already checked the CPU to see if it is cracked or fried but everything is ok (apparently).

PS nº2: I also forgot to mention that I already reset my BIOS to all default values...

 

[DaiShan]

so all you did was install a new hard drive? did you have to remove the RAM to get to the hard drive? have you tried reseating the RAM, making sure that is clicks into place and the clips come into contact with the side of the ram? also is the RAM populating the banks correctly? could you give us some more specs on the system mobo, cpu, psu etc...

 

[Frazas]

About the system specs you can check my link in the signature but generally is a AMD 1.4 with an Iwill KK266+R and 512mb Crucial mem. To install the hard drive I didn't had to remove the memory modules, but I also applyed some Artic Silver 3 to the core of the CPU.

I made a visit to the Iwill support page to see what the beep codes mean (why the manual doesn't have them is beyond me) and this are the corresponding beep to my problem:

Long(Beep) continuous DRAM hasn't insert correctly.
Short(Beep) continuous POWER supply has problem.

I put two because I get different continuous beeps. For example I remove the memory modules and I have one kind of continuous beep, but when I put the modules I get a slighlty longer continuous beep.

And regarding a damaged CPU core I have checked, rechecked and triple checked the core and see no cracks. It also doesn't smell burnt. I really hope the problem isn't in the CPU or the board. My cooler doesn't have a cliping mechanism so the chances to break are always lower if you are carefull.

 

[DaiShan]

that is strange, I have never seen a bios with beep codes for power, the only beep codes for soft menu III are video, and any others are RAM according to the web site. maybe try the power supply then?

 

[Frazas]

Report on my findings:

The motherboard is dead.....
Why? First I tried a different power supply on my rig. Same error...
Then I tried a different CPU (same model and speed as mine) didn't work. Tried my CPU in a different mobo. Worked ok.
Then I tried a different stick of memory in my rig (one that I am sure is working) and the same error occured.

This leads me to the conclusion that the mobo is dead. I have officially ran out of ideas.

What caused it? I have no idea. Just adding a drive and putting some Artic Silver 3 in the core of the CPU isn't what I call a "dangerous operation"...

If you have any additional ideas, please reply.

 

[DaiShan]

does the computer POST? can you access bios? if you can access bios I don't think it is the mobo, although if you have another motherboard you could try that.