My computer can't POST! Help

[farmercal]

System Configuration:
Case - FK 320B
PS - 300 W
Motherboard - Aopen AK77 Pro
Processor - AMD 900 T-Bird w/200 FSB
RAM - 256 MEG of Corsair 2100 DDR
Video Card - ATI 7500
Monitor - LG Flat Panel
Hard Drive - 40 GIG Maxtor 7200 and 6 GIG Quantum
CD ROM Drive - Iomagic
CD Burner - Yamaha 3200EZ

Let me start from the beginning, I was getting an error when I pressed "ALT" & "Tab" to switch between screens when surfing the internet. The error indicated that there was a problem with the Kernel 32 DLL. I reinstalled WIN 98 SE and then upgraded back to WIN ME. Had the same fault in 98 and ME. I then used Norton System Works 2000 to check and repair any windows problems. After Norton performed speed disk, I rebooted and came up in Safe Mode. I then looked at my hard drive (40 gig) and all my programs were gone, at least is didn't list them (I think they are still there). Then I rebooted to see if anything would change and it couldn't POST at that point. When I power-on, I hear both hard drives spin up and see it check the CD ROM drive but it doesn't go to the floppy drive to allow me to boot with an emergency disk. Also there is no display (at all) on the monitor.

Now let me tell you what I have done so far. I took my video card out and install a good PCI video card to see if my VC was bad. Still not change in POST. I took my floppy drive and cable and connected it to another machine (at work) and it worked fine. I don't see how it could be the hard drive stopping the machine from performing it?s self test. Does anyone know the order in which the POST checks things out? This could lead me in the right direction of diagnosing the malfunctioning component.

I think it might be the motherboard but I am no expert by any means and any help would be greatly appreciated.

Cal

 

[Pederv]

Try disconnecting 1 hard drive at a time and see if the system will boot to the floppy.
Are you getting any BIOS beeps?
If the hard drives don't make a difference keep removing things until the system posts.

 

[farmercal]

I disconnected everything except the floppy drive and it still would not access the floppy drive for an emergency boot. And no, there is no confirmation beep. Also, the hard drive LED does not go off. I guess I could try again at lunch and see if anything happens. The problem though is if I don't get any display on the monitor I can't even format the hard and load the software back on. The system is only a couple of months old.

 

[hmsrolst]

Have you tried putting in different RAM, or if there are two sticks, removing them one at a time?

 

[farmercal]

No, I only have one stick of DDR RAM. Couldn't afford to buy two at the time because the price had gone up so high.

 

[Pederv]

If you pull the memory out, will the system beep a few times?

 

[farmercal]

I don't know, haven't tried that yet. I am at work right now but going home for lunch in a minute. I will try these tips and post my results in a couple of hours when I get back. Thanks

Cal

 

[farmercal]

I pulled out the RAM and booted. No beep, no accessing the floppy drive, nothing. I realize now, that the system has not been checking the CD ROM or the hard drives. They are just responding to having power applied. Is my motherboard dead?

 

[hmsrolst]

I'd try to rule out a RAM problem, since it's one (not the only) reason why you might get no beep at all. Can you borrow a stick of RAM from someone?

 

[farmercal]

No, I am the only one with this new a system where I am stationed. I can always buy another stick of cheap RAM, I was wanting to buy another stick anyway. I am getting off work in a minute and will go home and try troubleshooting again. Thanks for all the help!