Need some expert opinions on system/hardware issue.

[lorinser75]

Hey guys,
I need your expert opinions here.

I'm helping my buddy troubleshooting his pc system.
His system is very basic, it consists of:
1. AMD xp1800+ palomino
2. FIC Nforce2 IGP (micro ATX, onboard GF MX2 video)
3. 512 MB DDR400 PC3200 (single channel)
4. 40 gig IDE ATA100 7200 RPM
5. Lite-on CDRW
6. Modem
7. allied 400 watt PSU

His problem:
If I try to turn on the computer with everything installed, the system, for some reason, will not boot. It couldn't reach that "beep" thing in order to boot. BUT, if I took the modem out from the PCI slot, It boots fine, but after a few minutes into the windows, the Monitor suddenly loses signal (blank screen). The system still has power though, the fan & LED still running. The system was working fine for about a year, only last week, the system started to have this problem.

I tried New & "improved" TT 420 Watt PSU, but the problem still persists.

What could be the problem? I'm starting to think it is a Motherboard issue, but I don't know. Could it be the CPU or the RAM? I haven't tried using an external VGA card yet, that's on my next list to try.

I just thought maybe I'm missing something here.

My buddy & I would certainly appreciate any helps we can get.

Thanks a lot guys.

 

[cholley]

look for any miss-shapen or leaking capacitors on the board, i'm going through a similar issue now and foud one of the caps is leaking some brown goo

 

[montag451]

download MEMTEST and run it overnite.
Also, check that the voltage for the mem module is 2.6 to 2.7v in BIOS

 

[lorinser75]

Thanks for the response guys,
I didn't check closely for leaking caps, I guess I'll take a look at it tonight while installing an external VGA.

I did run memtest on the RAM in another computer though, and everything seemed to be in order, ran 4 hrs w/o error. The only thing I didn't check is the voltage on the ram. I'm going to check that too tonight

I'll keep you guys updated on my findings tonight.

Thanks again.

 

[lorinser75]

Still no solution. This is my findings:
1. Can't boot (no beep) when external AGP card is installed
2. No leaking capacitor
3. RAM Voltage is set correctly - 2.6V
4. Even Reset BIOS, but doesn't help.

I'm starting to think it's the MOBO. Can this also be the symptom of bad CPU?

Any opinions?

Thanks

 

[montag451]

Try another psu as a troubleshoot

 

[Creston]

He already did.

I doubt it's the CPU, since you said you were able to run Memtest on it for 4 hours straight. If that CPU is having issues, I don't think it'd run for four hours...

If you can, I'd suggest installing and running Prime95's torture test, but it seems your system won't stay up long enough to do that anyways.

I think the motherboard is a likely culprit...

Creston

 

[lorinser75]

I actually tested the ram & ran the memtest in a different rig, but I did installed a new Ram in the "problem rig", but the problem still persist.
That's why I don't think is the ram. And then we did buy a new TT 420 watt PSU, and that doesn't help at all.

I'm gonna try and test the CPU tonight in another rig (I really hate this, but I guess it's the only way ), just to see if it is the CPU.
If the CPU tested OK, I think mobo is the main culprit.

I'll keep you guys updated again.

Thanks guys. Appreciate all your help.