My other PC Refuses to boot, no beep on startup.

[mikk37]

I've checked all my connections at least twice so there's no loose power cords, no connections that I can find wrong. All the other components seem to be getting power. The NIC goes active as soon as I press the power button, and it sounds like it's going to work, but there's no beep and the monitor receives no signal. It's not the video card, it's only a month old and I've tested it in my old computer (this one). Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Wolfie]

I have a couple questions for you. Does the fans start up? Do you get to the BIOS screen?

Have you moved anything in your computer recently? I would go threw and make sure everything is seated in it's own slot, make sure nothing is grounding out the wrong way, and make sure all hd's and other parts are connected the proper way.

If this is still causing a problem, try removing everything except essensial parts to narrow down the part that is giving you the problem. If it boots try installing one componant at a time. Hope this helps.

Wolfie

 

[mikk37]

All the fans DO start up, but there's no beep signaling the boot, and it just sits there with the fans running and all the LED's on. I've tried removing all the non-vital components and it always ends the same way, with the computer sitting there, fans on, but not booting.

I do not get the BIOS screen. If I turn on the monitor it only tells me I'm receiving no signal.

Thanks for the try. Removing all the non-vitals is the most common suggestion I've gotten so far, so at least I know everybody I've gotten responses from on boards so far knows what they're talking about

Any other suggestions?

 

[LiLithTecH]

Try clearing the BIOS.

Make sure to remove the power cord from the PC before you do.

Sometimes the BIOS gets confused in identifying the hardware, and once it
selects something, its hard to get it to give it up.

 

[unclebabar]

I can't explain the absense of the startup beep (other than you forgot to connect the system speaker to the mb), but if you are using an AGP card, try sticking a PCI one in, and if your were using PCI then stick in an AGP. If it's an ISA or VLB card, help the economy and buy a new mainboard for crying out loud.

 

[mikk37]

The PC that's not working has worked perfectly in it's current configuration for over a year. The only change is the video card, which I've checked. I tried an old Voodoo2 Banshee PCI card and the PC still doesn't boot. And the system speaker is hooked up correctly

As for the BIOS.. well, I'll give it a try. If it works I'll post here again in a few minutes and thank you for the help! If not, well.. I'll just leave it and hope for more ideas

 

[mikk37]

Alright.. listen to this little story here.

I tried all the suggestions given, cleared the CMOS, re-seated everything again, checked all the connections.. still no boot-up. I finally just got angry and tapped the reset button a few times, and guess what? beep... startup. Perfectly. so.... I shut it back down just to test it. Nada. No boot-up. It just sat there like before. So.. I spend 10 minutes or so hitting re-set every 15 seconds or so until one time.. guess what? beep. startup.

So.. here I am.. sitting at this computer.. and I'm still forced to wonder what exactly is wrong with it that it does this. It runs perfectly when it boots.. the problem is simply getting it going. And it's not like it's a short or anything because it runs absolutely perfectly constantly without a hitch for as long as I leave it turned on and going. I've wracked my brain trying to figure it out, and so far it's got every tech support forum I can find more or less mystified.

Anyone that can figure this thing out is my hero.

 

[michec]

My guess would be you have a power supply that is barely able to supply power for all the stuff in your system. Also, some video cards have been known to be uncooperative with some boards because the board doesn't supply enough power to the AGP slot. It would be helpful if you listed your system specs, including the video card and the wattage of your power supply.

 

[Gozu]

yep, the psu. for sure.

 

[Buz2b]

I'll add to the mix and agree that your problem is the PS. There is an "outside" chance that it is the switch but I don't think so. The fact that it has to be "kicked" by the reset button after being on for a while is a classic symptom of PS trouble. It would probably work the same if you just turned it on and left it sitting for several minutes instead of constantly pressing the reset. Then pressing the reset button once or twice would most likely start it. PS's sometimes need a bit of warm up time to reach peak output. Some do this almost instantly; others do not. And, when a PS goes south, this is only made worse. Sorry.

 

[mikk37]

It's a Slot A Athlon 700 Mhz
Epox EP-7KXA Mobo
384mb PC133 Ram
GeForce 2 MX AGP 32mb Video Card
50x Cheap Unknown brand CD-ROM
Linksys LNE100TX
CHEAP! Crystalsound Fusion CS4281 WDM Sound Card

And the PSU is a Deer 250 watt.

I'll replace the PSU as soon as I build my new PC so my parents can have this one.

 

[Buz2b]

From your description it almost sounds as if your PS is adequate in size. You don't seem to be on the "bleeding edge" of power components. The problem is that it is also getting a bit older and may not be functioning as well as it should; if at all.

 

[bigalt]

this happens to me whenever i use the automatic bios settings to underclock my processor (why would i do that?)

try unplugging your power cord and re-plugging it in.

also, try discharging your CMOS on your motherboard. there's a jumper that you switch for a couple seconds, then switch back.

 

[Kaiser__Sose]

sounds like it's a cpu prob to me.. the time i've had the same symptoms it's been a bad cpu.

 

[timelapse]

Hello, I am having the same problem right now with a PC i built for someone, HOWEVER when i opened the case, after examinning the hardware I found that the PCI network card had Exploded/burned :Q The Realtek chip on the board had burned and a piece fallen off. And now i can turn the PC on but there is no POST, NO Speaker BEEPS, and NO video signal. I already tested the Vid Card (AGP) and RAM (DDR) and both work on my other system. I just tried clearing the CMOS and nothing.

Can someone give me a tip on maybe what is the problem: PSU, CPU, MOBO? Thanks in advance.

PS: I could test the chip on my system, but my problem is removing the heatsink from the chip because its a heatsink that comes with its own thermal pad and i dont know how to remove it or clean it. If anyone can give me a tip here on how to do it, ill apreciate it.

System: Athlon xp 1800, k7s5a, 350w PS, 256 ram, radeon 32mb card, hd, zip, floppy, cd-rw

 

[Buz2b]

and i dont know how to remove it or clean it. If anyone can give me a tip here on how to do it,

After removing the HSF, you will see remnants of the pad, probably on both the HS and the CPU. Using an old Credit card (or similar small plastic piece), gently scrape off what you can of the pad. You will not be able to get all of it but do what you can. Then, use either Nail Polish remover, Acetone or Isopropyl Alcohol on a soft cloth to remove the rest. Just put some on the cloth and gently rub the remnants off. If you use the Nail Polish remover, you should still go over it with the alcohol to remove any residue from that fluid. Yes, you can rub the CPU with the liquid on the cloth. It is easier if you remove the CPU from the socket and place it on a piece of antistatic foam, like the stuff your MB comes on. When reinstalling the HSF on the CPU, you can use/follow these instructions to help you along the way.

 

[timelapse]

thx buz, ill get to it now

I pray its not the CPU...

 

[Buz2b]

Actually, it sounds more like the MB or PS but it's always a good idea to rid yourself of that thermal pad and use some decent grease anyway.
You might want to start a separate thread also, depending upon your results. Don't want to get two different ones going here. Good Luck!

EDIT:mikk37, just FYI, the last PS that I had go out on me was the same (250 watt Deer). Had the same symptoms also. Doesn't necessarily mean that is your problem, but if this were Vegas...............!

 

[mikk37]

Thanks for all the help and replies guys. The common suggestions seems to be the PSU, with the occasional suggestion that it COULD be the CPU. I'll replace the PSU so I can donate this one to my parents once my new one's all put together. If it still does it, well then I'll dig up an old SLOT A athlon for them somewhere on the net I guess. Again, thanks for the help!