Steps to isolate a problem?

LunarRay

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2003
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Could you folks help with the steps for the following issue?

Got a windows blue screen.. had a VD or something message.
No signal to monitor followed
Unit won't start
when I turn on the unit now I see an instant flash to the monitor but no start up
Changed out the p/s no change
changed cpu no change
changed video card no change
don't know what to look for now


edit.. I also hooked the p/s and the drives to another Mobo but no change..
I'm thinkin both p/s or mobo bad and that I didn't have the other mobo hooked up and grounded (?) or something.
 

Ionizer86

Diamond Member
Jun 20, 2001
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If you have another PC: take vid card to other pc and/or put other vid card in.

And try some other combinations of swapping parts with other PC if the parts are compatible.
 

LunarRay

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2003
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It won't power up.. it never goes beyond just a flash to the screen.. no drives start up zilch..
 

LunarRay

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2003
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It appears to be a p/s type issue but I put in another that I know worked and the same result as the other p/s..
BTW.. she hadn't cleaned it out in almost two years... :(...

There was dust on dust hiding on dust in there.. she is miss piggy.. my granddaughter!
 

Moonbeam

Elite Member
Nov 24, 1999
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You tried with a boot disk to be sure. The dust could have caused a short.
 

LunarRay

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2003
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It won't boot the the point of spinning up the drive.. nothing happens. Before it can get to a floppy it has to go through the bios and cmos and it don't do anything but flash to the monitor then just be dead.
 

LunarRay

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2003
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I was just told there were a constant beep beep beep not a sequence but one right after the other till it shut down.. that sounds p/s I think
 

nick1985

Lifer
Dec 29, 2002
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go soak your head for about an hour. i find when i have computer problems, its best to just walk away for a little while to clear your head ;)
 

Moonbeam

Elite Member
Nov 24, 1999
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Originally posted by: LunarRay
I was just told there were a constant beep beep beep not a sequence but one right after the other till it shut down.. that sounds p/s I think

I don't know sequences but the number of beeps before syutdown may be the sequence or code if you like

Also I think if you disconnect the hard drive you could boot from a floppy still. I guess you're saying you're not even getting to the cmos.
 

LunarRay

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2003
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MB,
I need to communicate mo betterish..

It won't start up.. like .. putting a disc in wouldn't do it cuz the drive ain't got no power.. no power no where..


well. I traded out mobo and now it starts but the monitor don't get a signal.. I've used all four of my video cards.. but no signal.
 

LunarRay

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2003
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Originally posted by: nick1985
go soak your head for about an hour. i find when i have computer problems, its best to just walk away for a little while to clear your head ;)

I went out in the rain.. me and my doggie.. he is ticked at me now.. my head is soaked.. his fur is soaked and the dang issue continues.. this is nutty..
 

Zebo

Elite Member
Jul 29, 2001
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Sounds like the 12V portion of PS is bad or mobo.;)

Try those beep codes first.. if you're not getting beep codes i'd:

1. Unassemble the whole PC down to individual components
2. re-build with just Motherboard, memory, processor, video card
3. Try to post and get into bios
4. If this is sucessful power down and connect just a hard drive
and continue this powering up and down with each new peripherial added until failure cause you could also have a loopback in one component.
5. I any of the above fail try mix and matching componets in a sequential order till you find the problem.

it don't do anything but flash to the monitor then just be dead.

I have no idea what this means, i assume not posting, like; no text on screen at boot and unable to go into bios , right?
 

DieHardware

Golden Member
Jan 1, 2001
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Originally posted by: LunarRay
[BCould you folks help with the steps for the following issue?[/b]

Got a windows blue screen.. had a VD or something message.
No signal to monitor followed
Unit won't start
when I turn on the unit now I see an instant flash to the monitor but no start up
Changed out the p/s no change
changed cpu no change
changed video card no change
don't know what to look for now


edit.. I also hooked the p/s and the drives to another Mobo but no change..
I'm thinkin both p/s or mobo bad and that I didn't have the other mobo hooked up and grounded (?) or something.

Originally posted by: LunarRay

I was just told there were a constant beep beep beep not a sequence but one right after the other till it shut down.. that sounds p/s I think

Originally posted by: LunarRay

Imagine that codes.. thanks.

Hey you asked for help, but thanks for the smarta$$ thank you. :disgust:
 

LunarRay

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2003
9,993
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DieHardware,

Not at all smart ... I didn't know there were codes related to beeps.. one beep is the same to me as a bunch of beeps..

I wouldn't respond with a smart A$$ remark to some one who offered help.. I've now got that web page tucked away for future reference.

I thank you for the time you took to write the response..

It was informative!
 

LunarRay

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2003
9,993
1
76
Originally posted by: Zebo
Sounds like the 12V portion of PS is bad or mobo.;)

Try those beep codes first.. if you're not getting beep codes i'd:

1. Unassemble the whole PC down to individual components
2. re-build with just Motherboard, memory, processor, video card
3. Try to post and get into bios
4. If this is sucessful power down and connect just a hard drive
and continue this powering up and down with each new peripherial added until failure cause you could also have a loopback in one component.
5. I any of the above fail try mix and matching componets in a sequential order till you find the problem.

it don't do anything but flash to the monitor then just be dead.

I have no idea what this means, i assume not posting, like; no text on screen at boot and unable to go into bios , right?


I'm not getting any beeps at all.. It just won't start up. I've shorted across the start up button pins and all that happens is the fan on the cpu twitches. So I know two thing.. btw I've nothing in there or connected to the P/S but, the mommy board... either the signal is not getting from the pins (switch on) to the P/S mother board connector because of some MoBo short or the P/S is dead.. But, I jumped the connector (the ones that make it run while out of the case as if the switch was on) with the MoBo out of the case and on the floor.. :).. and checked the voltage and got 12 and 5 and 3 etc where they were suppose to be.. so me thinks it is the mommy board.. but, will get another P/S first..
I can follow the logic of what should occur.. and found a good flow chart.. for this stuff.. here

Flowchart and diagnostics for these things I think they call time savers..

Not sure if I'll ever like these computer things.. but, they are a means to an end and the service guy wants me to make his mortgage payment for him.. I'll learn this stuff first.. and I think I have.. a lot.. Moonbeam and I spend yesterday edifying ourselves on this perplexing issue.. :)
 

Zebo

Elite Member
Jul 29, 2001
39,398
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Don't you have a college aged grandson in the house? He, like all kids can fix all this stuff, they were born with it no?


Anyway my suggesstion is fortron PS here Way underated and 120mm slow moving temperature actuated silent fan is a real bonus. only $27.

PM me if you need some parts or other build advice.. I have bunches.
 

Moonbeam

Elite Member
Nov 24, 1999
73,398
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"Moonbeam and I spend yesterday edifying ourselves on this perplexing issue.. :D"



I wasn't eatifying myself because I got so wrapped up Ididn't have time for lunch.

edit: Zebo is PREEEEEECCCCCCCIOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUSS

Zebo have parts.
 

Zebo

Elite Member
Jul 29, 2001
39,398
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edit: Zebo is PREEEEEECCCCCCCIOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUSS

No I'm just an idiot who builds a new PC every other month to have the "latest and greatest"... Moicrosoft word is really demanding ya know:p

/// somehow I can never part with the old stuff. I hate price negotiation...to confrontational.
 

LunarRay

Diamond Member
Mar 2, 2003
9,993
1
76
Originally posted by: Zebo
Don't you have a college aged grandson in the house? He, like all kids can fix all this stuff, they were born with it no?


Anyway my suggesstion is fortron PS here Way underated and 120mm slow moving temperature actuated silent fan is a real bonus. only $27.

PM me if you need some parts or other build advice.. I have bunches.

Thanks for the offer..
Yup.. he's 19 but, not into computers or software.. he knows how to turn it on and that's it. In fact, he ran back into his room about 5 minutes ago and I ask him what was the rush.. he said.. and I quote "If I don't jiggle the mouse the computer will shut down and won't start up unless I unplug it." I fixed his power management set up so he can relax.. :) He's into other stuff that they teach in college now a days.. Politics, Accounting, Philosophy.. quite a mix.. but, no computer stuff..:D