UH-OH! Main computer won't get past POST screen...

[KDOG]

Every couple days or so I'd occasionaly get an "Invalid system disk" or some other notice (can't remember which one) at start up and I'd just hit the reset button and go. Well today I get home from work and start the beast and it won't get past the POST screen, period. It just sits there, the furthest it gets is the Main Processor: AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual Core Processor 4000+ notice.

I checked and re-checked the power and data cables on the HDD. Could it be the mobo? My hardware is:

Asus M2A-VM mobo
Processor listed above, OC'd to 2.8ghz
2gig G.Skill DDR2-800 (2x1gb sticks)
Geforce 7300GT
SB Live sound cuz the mobo sound went bad. (maybe what killed that is spreading)
Antec Sonata III case with Earthwatts 500W PS
Samsung 80gb SATA HDD
Phillips DVD burner

Windows XP Home edition, all updates on it.

I've been thinking of upgrading it so could this be my excuse to help stimulate the economy?

 

[mpilchfamily]

Its possible that your HDD is dieing or dead. It may just be a hickup in the BIOS too. If its the BIOS just clear the CMOS to fix it. If that doesn't help then i'd look at the HDD.

 

[pcgeek11]

Every couple days or so I'd occasionaly get an "Invalid system disk" or some other notice (can't remember which one) at start up and I'd just hit the reset button and go.

Your computer was talking to you, you just were not listening young padiwan. You must use the force to become a Jedi Master.


pcgeek11

 

[KDOG]

Well I did the CMOS clear and that didnt' help. Me thinks the HDD is toast. Time for SSDs' right?

 

[imported_Scoop]

Take one of the memory modules off. If it doesn't help, switch to the other. If it still won't boot I don't know. If you're onboard sound went bad it could imply the whole board is about to blow?

 

[Paperdoc]

My first step for these situations is to disconnect power, open the case, and CAREFULLY disconnect and re-connect all the data and power cables to each peripheral, especially the HDD in this case. Be sure to do this at both ends of each cable. So often it turns out the problem was just a very slow build-up of oxidation on the metal contacts in the connectors. Dis- and re-connecting them just kind of scrapes them clean. Note that the intermittent nature of your problem is consistent with this cause (although other things can be intermittent too).

Just be careful not to damage anything. Also watch out - you might knock loose some connection you were not working on. So I tend to run through every cable I can find, just to be sure they are all cleaned and all re-connected properly.

 

[KDOG]

Ok, thanks guys. I'll try to all those other suggestions then report back.

 

[MoneyLoo]

Try this. Unplug all of your USB cables from the back of the computer. Then tell me if it posts. Sometimes things like mp3 players or even bootable CDs have caused computers to not post past the processor. So I'd check if you got a windows CD in the tray(s) or any external HD type device, phone, mp3 player...etc, attached.

 

[KDOG]

Ok, I'll try that too. I tried the other stuff to no avail though....

 

[KDOG]

GOT IT. The USB thing worked, thanks MoneyLoo. It was my Sansa mp3 player. It was locked up and not letting the computer boot. Now if I can just find out why IE8 isn't working on my laptop....

 

[In2Photos]

Originally posted by: KDOG
GOT IT. The USB thing worked, thanks MoneyLoo. It was my Sansa mp3 player. It was locked up and not letting the computer boot. Now if I can just find out why IE8 isn't working on my laptop....

Just switch to firefox instead. Much better!

 

[KDOG]

Yeah thats' what I'm using now anyway. LOL.

 

[MoneyLoo]

Glad to hear it.