Problem starting up after Power On but before Boot Up sequence. Any help appreciated

[nanokem]

Hi

 

I am having a problem with starting up my PC, but I am not sure where to look for the likely faulty component.

 

Here's what happens....

 

I press the power button and all the lights come on as normal and the main fan and processor fan start (I took the side of the machine to observe this.

 

Then nothing else happens.

 

My initial thought was the hard drive/OS, but I checked these out. My wife has the exact same machine (we bought the 2 at the same time.) I placed my hard drive in her machine and everything started normally. I then placed her hard drive in my machine but the same problem continues.

 

I tried recovery disks, but it doesn't actually reach the stage of accessing the hard drive or CD. If it did, all would be well as the hard drive is functioning as it should.

 

I've tried the various F keys during power on but nothing.

 

So my question is....

 

What component is likely to be faulty? It appears to be the one after successful Power On but before the OS is loaded in.

 

Hope someone is able to advise.

 

Thanks in advance.

[KenB]

Hi and welcome to ExTS

 

This sounds like a Power Supply Unit problem - but let's check out one or two other possibilities before we swap PSUs over.

 

1. Do you get any POST beeps after switching on ?

If not it could be PSU or Motherboard ( assuming you got a single beep before .............try wife's system )

 

2. If you do get beep(s) then try taking the RAM out and switch on.

You will not be able to boot up - but the machine should give you a BEEP code and be stable.

 

3. Do you get anything on screen before / after taking the RAM out ?

 

4. Are you happy to try swapping PSUs ? ( it is a simple job :))

[nanokem]

Hi and welcome to ExTS

 

This sounds like a Power Supply Unit problem - but let's check out one or two other possibilities before we swap PSUs over.

 

1. Do you get any POST beeps after switching on ?

If not it could be PSU or Motherboard ( assuming you got a single beep before .............try wife's system )

 

2. If you do get beep(s) then try taking the RAM out and switch on.

You will not be able to boot up - but the machine should give you a BEEP code and be stable.

 

3. Do you get anything on screen before / after taking the RAM out ?

 

4. Are you happy to try swapping PSUs ? ( it is a simple job :))

 

 

 

Thanks for the prompt reply.

 

With monitor on and RAM in there are no beeps at all. The monitor only displays its self test and says "check you PC and signal cable".

 

However, if I take the RAM out and power up, I get one long continuous beep that only stops if I power down. Monitor displays same message as with RAM in.... "check you PC and signal cable".

 

Not sure what the implications of that are. I can try another monitor.

 

Hope this helps

[KenB]

Hi

 

If you are getting a message on the monitor I would assume that this is OK - but try your monitor on your wife's machine to confirm.

 

Does this system have a video card ? You may need to take the side panel off to check.

This is where the monitor cable is attached at the back of the machine.

It is an additional card to the motherboard.

 

I am hoping you do and there is another on-board connection you can try.

 

If there is - take the card out and try the on-board video connection.

 

======================

 

You took the RAM out earlier - take one out and leave the other in.

Try booting.

 

If no luck .....switch off .....swap the installed RAM for the other module and try again.

 

==================

 

I am away for a few weeks - so hopefully synapse ( moderator ) will pick this up for you.

[nanokem]

Hi

 

If you are getting a message on the monitor I would assume that this is OK - but try your monitor on your wife's machine to confirm.

 

Does this system have a video card ? You may need to take the side panel off to check.

This is where the monitor cable is attached at the back of the machine.

It is an additional card to the motherboard.

 

I am hoping you do and there is another on-board connection you can try.

 

If there is - take the card out and try the on-board video connection.

 

======================

 

You took the RAM out earlier - take one out and leave the other in.

Try booting.

 

If no luck .....switch off .....swap the installed RAM for the other module and try again.

 

==================

 

I am away for a few weeks - so hopefully synapse ( moderator ) will pick this up for you.

 

 

Thanks again for the reply.

 

The system does not have a seperate video card. It is on-board graphics.

 

The are 2 RAM slots on the mother board and I have 2 memory cards, each 1 meg. I have tried each card in each slot, one at a time...basically all combinations and all have the same out come...ie no beeps and no boot up.

 

The only time a beep occurs is if there is no RAM in the MB at all...and this is then a one continuous beep.

 

I tried the monitor in my wifes machine and it is working fine.

 

So....still baffled.

[KenB]

It is rare that 2 RAM modules develop a fault at the same time - but it is possible.

 

Take a module from you wife's system and try it in yours by itself.

 

If you get the same problem then it is not the RAM.

 

Does your wife's computer beep once ( short beep ) when switched on ?

[nanokem]

It is rare that 2 RAM modules develop a fault at the same time - but it is possible.

 

Take a module from you wife's system and try it in yours by itself.

 

If you get the same problem then it is not the RAM.

 

Does your wife's computer beep once ( short beep ) when switched on ?

 

 

I swapped the RAM and problem still exists.

 

My wifes machine beeps once, as mine use to before the problem.

 

I am not sure if this helps, but it might be worth mentioning how the problem first started.

 

It was actually while I was using the computer...mid-game actually. Everything just froze. No mouse, no keys etc. Ctrl/Alt/Del wouldn't start task manager. So I had to power down manually..ie press the Off button.

When I then switched back on is when the problem first showed itself....no Boot Up

 

My first suspicion was I may have damaged some aspect of the Boot Up seqeunce, which is why I tested my Hard drive in my wifes machine and it booted normally on hers after advising me I hadn't shut down correctly. So all was well with the Hard drive and OS

 

Hope this additional information helps.

[KenB]

OK - we have discounted the RAM.

 

============

 

Take a close look at the capacitors on your motherboard.

Are any of them domed or leaking ?

If so - you have a motherboard problem.

 

http://www.auroracomputer.ca/images/bad_cap.jpg

 

My next suggestion would be to try your wife's PSU on your machine.

If you need any advice on doing this just shout.

 

I am away from tomorrow.

[Plastic Nev]

Just popped in to say I am watching this thread so once Ken has gone I will be available. But must warn that I am normally only on line after 9-00PM most evenings.

 

I will back up Ken with trying a swap of the power supply as the next move.

Though the mother board may look OK, if the power supply doesn't cure it then the mother board has to be next, and would even hazard a guess at the BIOS chip if it is the MB.

 

Nev.

[nanokem]

Just popped in to say I am watching this thread so once Ken has gone I will be available. But must warn that I am normally only on line after 9-00PM most evenings.

 

I will back up Ken with trying a swap of the power supply as the next move.

Though the mother board may look OK, if the power supply doesn't cure it then the mother board has to be next, and would even hazard a guess at the BIOS chip if it is the MB.

 

Nev.

 

Hi Nev

 

Thanks for checking in on this.

 

OK, following KenB's advice..... I checked all the capacitors as well as I could. Certainly none showed any bulging/leaking signs, but we only checked by eye whilst they were on the MB.

 

I then connected my wifes PSU to my MB and powered up. Unfortunately the same problem is there...fans whirring, lights on but no beeps and no boot up.

 

I reassembled my wifes machine and powered it up and all worked on her machine...lights on, fans whirring and she then gets one beep followed by a second beep about 5 seconds later and then everything loads in/boots up. I also use to get this first beep then second beep sequence.

 

So you think it may be the BIOS....oh dear....starting to look terminal.

[KenB]

Hi - I managed to locate a connection :) ( don't know how long for )

 

This is looking like a motherboard problem.

 

Take a look here:

http://kenspchelp.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=172

Follow the tutorial and strip the motherboard down to basics.

If you get no beeps then - it is a m/board problem as you have already swapped PSUs.

 

We can explain how to get data off your hard drive if it comes to that :)

[Plastic Nev]

Hi, I agree with KenB, it is most likely the mother board, even if it could be narrowed down to the BIOS chip, it is integral to the motherboard so the only answer is a new board.

If you can obtain a new board of the same type, even from the manufacturers, though Amazon or other on line dealers may have one, it is worth trying and will be cheaper than a new computer.

If you can obtain a board, take notes, drawings, and if possible pictures of the set up as it is now, to help in reconnecting all the different cables once the new board is in.

 

Nev.

[nanokem]

Hi, I agree with KenB, it is most likely the mother board, even if it could be narrowed down to the BIOS chip, it is integral to the motherboard so the only answer is a new board.

If you can obtain a new board of the same type, even from the manufacturers, though Amazon or other on line dealers may have one, it is worth trying and will be cheaper than a new computer.

If you can obtain a board, take notes, drawings, and if possible pictures of the set up as it is now, to help in reconnecting all the different cables once the new board is in.

 

Nev.

 

Hi

 

Managed to carry out the recommendations from KenB...ie stripping everything off the MB and powering up. Still no beeps, so it must be the MB as suspected.

 

I can get the data off my harddrive by swapping it into my wifes machine.

 

Thanks to everyone for their help and advice.

 

Looks like a trip to the computer store is my next task.

 

Once again, many thanks.

[Plastic Nev]

OK, let us know how you get on and whether you opt for a replacement MB, or a completely new computer.

 

If a new machine, keep the hard drive and obtain an enclosure for it, that way you will be able to transfer data to your new machine, then format it to make it an external hard drive for extra storage.

 

Nev.