No POST when PC is powered on

EvilManagedCare

Senior member
Nov 6, 2004
324
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Here is my setup:

DFI LANParty UT 250 (nForce 3 250 GB chipset)
2 GB PC3200 RAM
AMD 64 3700+
SB Audigy ZS
BFG Geforce 7800GS OC
Latest drivers

Possibly relevant info:

I installed new RAM to bring the PC to 2 GB recently. For whatever reason the DFI board at 2 GB will run the RAM at 333 instead of 400. However, you can change the settings to run at 400 in the BIOS. Other than that, there is no overclocking and I don't believe that can be considered overclocking. I did this about 4 days ago and there were no problems. Last night, however, I had a very slow boot up, then everything was fine. I rebooted at one point, and after the system turned off and powered back on, I got only a black screen, but the fans were still spinning. I never got the speaker beep and subsequent POST screen. I powered off and back on, the problem persisted. So, I am at a loss. There had not been any system instability prior to this incident.

Here is what I intend to try after work, and I would appreciate any feedback additional ideas for solutions:

1. Remove an occaisionally troublesome piece of hardware (a frontside USB hub connected to the leads in the motherboard) that seems to have slowed down the bootup sequence before

or

2. Remove one of the sticks of RAM

or

3. Switch out the video card (I don't think this is the problem, because wouldn't a problem with the video card give the errors signalled by speaker beeps?)

If none of that works I will reset the CMOS.

I really am at a loss, so any other direction will help. I don't suspect the power supply, which I believe is a 450W and there had been no previous instability.

Thanks for the help in advance.
 

Ghouler

Senior member
Sep 9, 2005
442
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gd plan for teh weekend ;)
add #4 checking if VGA, RAM, Audigy and HD connectors all sit properly in the slots.
If still no luck:
#5 remove not only graphics but also sound card, disconnect hard disk
#6 try different stick of RAM.
Oh well, you know your stuff. Gd Luck!
 

EvilManagedCare

Senior member
Nov 6, 2004
324
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0
Problem solved (or at least so far). I removed the offending USB hub and it booted up just fine. Thanks Yankee for the DFI link, it is a wealth of information.