Old PC fails to boot

[AlexV]

I had some old PC parts around, and decided to build a NAS out of them. Here're the parts I have:

-- ABit BX6 M/B
-- Celeron 300A overclocked to 450
-- 3 sticks of PC100 RAM (I'm guessing 2x64 + 1x128)
-- Hitachi CD/ROM
-- Mitsumi Floppy
-- 8MB AGP card
-- Netgear NIC
-- 8 GB Maxtor H/D (using this just for testing before buying a large H/D)

I put all these together into a an old case I had, with AOpen 235W PSU. To the best of my knowledge all the parts except for the CD/ROM and floppy were working fine about 4-5 months ago. I pulled CD/ROM and floppy from some old parts box, and I don't know for sure if they work, assuming they do.

So, I turned the machine on, saw the video card messages, a single healthy beep, then the next screen came up, identified the processor as PIII 450MHz, and then just stuck. I expected the line that would go through the memory, and show the total memory in the system. However, that line never showed up.

So, I disconnect CD/ROM, H/D and flooppy, however, same results. I then went through of using only 1 memory stick at a time, trying to figure out if some memory was bad, but same results. When I tried to boot with no memory at all, I just kept getting long beeps with a blank screen (expected).

So, I'm not sure what to do next. I really don't think that all 3 memory sticks are bad, they were working fine 4-5 months ago. What could be stopping the boot process at that point. Hitting DEL key to enter the BIOS doesn't do anything.

Thanks,

-- Alex

 

[redbeard1]

Try not overclocking the CPU and see what happens.

 

[AlexV]

redbeard1,

Thanks for a prompt response.

Overclocking is done in the BIOS, and I cannot get in there The CPU was working like this (overclocked) for several years without a single glitch. I upgraded that PC, and just put the M/B with the CPU and memory on the shelf until yesterday.

I don't know at this point what to try to get into the BIOS. Any other suggestions?

Thanks,

-- Alex

 

[redbeard1]

Try clearing the cmos/bios with the reset bios jumper on the motherboard.

The other thing to check is the motherboard capacitors. Abit, in that vintage board, had major problems with capacitors failing. The tops of the capacitors look bulged or puffed instead of being flat, and may have reddish brown colored stuff on the top of leaking ones. The capacitors may have failed as it sat on the shelf, as the fluid in them can evaporate over time in defective ones.

 

[bendixG15]

You should be able to run memtest to verify the memory sticks and slots.

 

[AlexV]

bendixG15,

I couldn't run the memtest b/c I couldn't get into the BIOS to change the boot sequence to boot off floppy or CD-ROM first.

redbeard1,

I was thinking about resetting CMOS myself. So, I figured out how to do that on this M/B. I tried to move the jumper but I couldn't get to it b/c the plug from the front fan was in my way. So, I unplugged the fan, and reset the CMOS. I didn't plug the fan back in, and booted. Everything worked, and I could get into the BIOS. I then went ahead and plugged the fan back in. And right after I did that, everything hung again as before.

So, I'm figuring that resetting CMOS didn't help (it didn't hurt of course). Is it possible that the fan can bring down the machine like that? Do you think the problem is with the fan or the M/B having to use the fan on that connector. Unfortunately, I don't have another fan handy to test.

Thanks,

-- Alex

 

[halw]

Unplug the front fan again and see what happens. If you think you need the front fan get an adapter so can use a 4 pin molex connector to opperate the fan.

 

[redbeard1]

I've had a bad onboard fan plugin screw up a computer. It's not common but it happens. I've also had bad fans draw too much through an onboard plugin and cause crashes.

 

[Maximilian]

Never noticed this thread lol. Im doing the same thing as you are, slightly different components & problem though.