Old computer, need help troubleshooting...

[Paulson]

I recieved an old computer, put a hard drive and floppy in it, but the problem is, when I plug it in, it starts up (fans do) and the power light blinks and no video comes on the screen... I don't believe it has a speaker in it, so I really can't tell what's wrong with it... do any of you have any suggestions?

 

[PCMarine]

Plug in the VGA cable?

 

[Paulson]

well yeah, I did that... the pc doesn't boot, try to access the floppy or hard drive... the power light flashes, hard drive light stays on, and no signal is going to the monitor to try to see what's wrong with it.. the ram is in it just fine, the processor has been reset in there, and that's all fine...

 

[Willoughbyva]

Start with the basics. Just use the video card, memory and CPU+fan heatsink. See if it will POST then.

 

[SuperSix]

Originally posted by: Paulson
I recieved an old computer, put a hard drive and floppy in it, but the problem is, when I plug it in, it starts up (fans do) and the power light blinks and no video comes on the screen... I don't believe it has a speaker in it, so I really can't tell what's wrong with it... do any of you have any suggestions?

You need to get an operational speaker. Then, remove the memory and fire it up. if it beeps, move on.. if not - dead mobo..

 

[ScrapSilicon]

Originally posted by: SuperSix

Originally posted by: Paulson
I recieved an old computer, put a hard drive and floppy in it, but the problem is, when I plug it in, it starts up (fans do) and the power light blinks and no video comes on the screen... I don't believe it has a speaker in it, so I really can't tell what's wrong with it... do any of you have any suggestions?

You need to get an operational speaker. Then, remove the memory and fire it up. if it beeps, move on.. if not - dead mobo..

I was thinking the same but was too busy lol at PCMarine's ..."plug the VGA cable".. in to post..

 

[Paulson]

figured out what it was... had the jumper wrong on the hard drive... and for some reason because of that it wouldn't boot... so I fixed it... for an old pc that somebody gave me, it's got 80 megs of memory in it.. oh yeah, I could have fun with this

 

[Buk]

Breathing life into a bunch of old parts kinda makes you feel like Dr. Frankenstein, doesn't it!!!!!!!!

 

[compudog]

Originally posted by: Buk
Breathing life into a bunch of old parts kinda makes you feel like Dr. Frankenstein, doesn't it!!!!!!!!

LOL! I just resurected a Tandy 386! I may even upgrade it to a Pentium 133. (That is if the motherboard fits in the case!)