Please give advice to a failed system

[leeland]

So yesterday was on the PC and everything locked up. Rebooted but it just hung (NO BEEPS) and a black screen. Tried it a couple more times same result.

I pulled the cover off and started unhooking unneeded parts.

I got the video card out and re-seated it two separate times.

I unhooked the hard drives

I took out all the RAM

So that I was just left with the Video Card and CPU.

I booted that time and got the error beeps of faulty hardware (I think because I didn't have RAM)

Put two sticks back in and nothing changed

I attempted to clear the CMOS...(took battery out and moved jumper for 6-10 seconds) however I saw a post that it should be for 10 minutes...so not sure if I did that correctly

I didn't take the video card out and leave the RAM in to see if I would get error beeps but I can try that when I get home tonight.

I also read on ASUS's forum that sometimes the Mobo Battery can cause problems and should be replaced...not sure about that

The system is less than 6 months old.


Please if you can recommend some other tests I should do...I would appreciate it.

Thanks,

Leeland

 

[imported_Husky55]

I know from experience that it is extremely hard and frustrating to diagnose a failed system. However, your problem is catastrophic so it will be easier to diagnose than an intermittent situation.

Look like you have pretty good components.

1. I would try to boot the MB, video card and 1 stick of RAM outside the case, with a different HD. If you get into BIOS then you got somewhere. If it does not boot into a bios screen then I would replace the video card, PS, RAM sequentially until it boots. If it still does not boot then replace the CPU. If it still does not boot then you can be pretty sure it's the MB.

2. I have a Asus P5B-E which failed and it took me forever to nailed it down since it was intermittent. I would suggest that you have replacement components to diagnose your problem. I found that having extra computers and components make trouble shooting much easier though no less frustrating.

3. I suggested using another HD to eliminate any window problem. You can always put back the HD with windows after your hardware is working.

 

[leeland]

Thanks for the reply...I have a couple of questions...

1. I don't think that the need for a additional drive is needed to at least get the BIOS screen to come up or even to get a video signal is it?

I called tech support and they said to have one stick of RAM in and remove the video card...if I get system status BEEPS then it is the video card that has failed...if I get no beeps it is more than likely the Mobo.

I have never heard of a video card going out in the middle of doing nothing...(it wasn't over clocked BTW) but I am sure it can happen.

Can a video card go out and still have the fans functioning?


Last question...

Normally when I booted the computer I would hit the power button and the system would power on instantly...now when I power on there is a 3 second lag...and it powers on...


Did something like that happen to you when your P5B-E failed?



The way I have troubleshooted systems in the past is to strip it to nothing but the essentials. Vid Card, CPU, PS, RAM (On my old old system)...

 

[piasabird]

Test the motherboard without the hard drive or RAM, or video card. If the motherboard has a processor you can test it and it should give you a beep code saying it has no RAM. If you test it outside the case that means either the Motherobard or Processor or the Power Supply is bad if you get no beep.

Often it is the power supply. You could just get a power supply tester, or you may have another power supply you can use in a test.

 

[leeland]

SO...I called Asus tech support again because I forgot to write down which slot the tech said to stick the RAM in...I got another support person and he totally contradicted the first guy.

he said that it is 90% probability that it is the PS, that something is not allowing the board to pass the power test and that he thinks it is the power supply.

My power supply is Corsair HX Series 520W which I thought was pretty decent based on reviews and Anandtech...I have a much older 400w power supply which I guess I can attempt at putting in to see if the system boots not sure if the connections will work though.


So to recap the tech said the following are likely the failure

1. PS 90%
2. Board 9.999%
3. Bad Battery 0.001%

I am going to try a new battery after work since it is the cheapest solution and hopefully that will work (ya right)...

Then I guess if that doesn't work I will pull apart my spare computer and see if I can get the PS up and running...

If that is a no go I will RMA to board...

 

[Peter]

By far not all mainboards do beep when they have no RAM. There are plenty that just fail silently.

 

[leeland]

Originally posted by: Peter
By far not all mainboards do beep when they have no RAM. There are plenty that just fail silently.

Not sure how to take this comment...

If I remember correctly in the Asus manual it says something like this...

If no memory is detected you will get a beep followed by two more beeps...

I was going to attempt at booting with one stick at a time to see if it possibly could be one of the memory sticks was bad.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Try another PSU. Retest MB outside the case. Could be a bad MB.

 

[leeland]

why is it that you want to take it outside of the case? if it is grounded inside why would that help matters? (not being a smart ass)

what do you place the MB on when it is outside of the case? the anti static stuff it comes in?

 

[leeland]

well I did the easiest thing and replaced the battery (5 bucks) and I am posting from the "failed" system...turns out it was 2 of the 4 RAM modules.

I cycled through the RAM modules one at a time and attempted to boot...the first was a boot/black screen no BEEPS...the second allowed me to boot and I was going to re-install windows...it got all the way up to the "Windows Is Starting Up" prompted and blue screened on some "page_fault" error on windows...

Once I loaded each of the last two indvidually it booted fine so it looks like I am going to have to RMA two of the Crucial RAM chips.

Funny thing is I purchased 2x1 gig sticks first and about a month later I got an additional 2x1 gig sticks

A stick from each set is what appears to have gone belly up.