computer will not start

[kopasz73]

Hi.

Thanks for the welcome, this is my first time.

Now to my problem - if some good folks could help me solving a problem, which is :

I have an HP Pavilion "Media Center PC"

Processor Intel Pentium 4

Installed memory 2 GB

Video card ATI Radeon X600

Operating System : Microsoft Windows XP Professional 5.01.2600 Service pack 2. (the last time I checked).

My problem is: two days ago it was operating perfectly. At the end of the day I switched the unit off, no problem. When the next day I switched on the unit, it refuses to boot, it only beeps regularly, with the monitor just flicks on the message "NO SIGNAL" Then I can only turn off the unit by pulling out the power plug.

I suspect that the fault is with the VIDEO card, but I have not got sufficient knowledge about fault finding to go and buy a new one, therefore would appriciate some advice as to what to look for, or could I be correct in guessing about the video card?

Thanking you all.

kopasz73

:confused:

[Tootech]

Make sure the power is off at the wall.

 

Remove the side panel, remove the memory modules, refit them. That will reseat the edge connectors.

 

Look for the two power connectors that plug in to the motherboard - one is a 20 or 24 pins, the other 4 pins. Remove those and reconnect them.

 

Do the same with the video card and see if it will fire up.

[Jelly Bean]

Hello and welcome.

 

If this is a continuous beep this points usaly to processor,RAM or graphics card.

 

Firstly you need to open the side and look inside and check all fans are spinning.

 

Are they all spinning?

 

Then power the PC off and unplug from power outlet.

 

Give the internals a good clean then resit RAM,graphics card if it is PCI not onboard.

 

In general make sure every thing is fully seated and plugged in.

 

Let me know how that goes?

 

Also you can enter BIOS and load defaults see if that works?

 

Jelly Bean.

[Plastic Nev]

Hi, Further to all the above, providing the graphics is a separate card, power off again and lid off, locate the card and remove the fixing screw (be careful to keep hold of the screw, if dropped inside, they always roll under the mother board:D) Once the screw is removed, carefully remove the card. Transfer the monitor plug to the on board video or monitor out socket then try it again. If the graphics card is the problem the machine should start up OK with it out.

Nev.

[kopasz73]

Thanks for the tip, Plastic Nev. I removed the card and powered the computer up. Unfortunately same as before.

Also done as suggested by "Jelly Bean" The insides were very clean, re-seated the memory strips, checked visually all plugs and sockets but no success!

thanks

[Jelly Bean]

Hello sorry for the late reply.

 

Did you test each RAM stick on its own?

 

Put one RAM stick in reboot and see if it beeps.Then remove once powered off and test another stick on its own.

 

Try this for me please:

 

Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

 

Do you have another graphics card you could test in the system?

 

Jelly Bean.

[zinglebarb]

As a side point I bought a motherboard tester you plug it into a pci slot boot the machine and the device reads error codes from the board and gives a code that relates to source of problem thats listed in the manual. Very handy tool for such times as this

[Plastic Nev]

Hi again, further to the beeps you hear on powering up, can you describe them a little more, for instance is it one long beep then two short ones, a long continuous beep, lots of short beeps etc, these are codes that can help to diagnose what may be at fault.

Nev.

[kopasz73]

Hello sorry for the late reply.

 

Did you test each RAM stick on its own?

 

Put one RAM stick in reboot and see if it beeps.Then remove once powered off and test another stick on its own.

 

Try this for me please:

 

Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool

 

Do you have another graphics card you could test in the system?

 

Jelly Bean.

Hello Jelly Bean and all.

I'm sorry for being so slow, but your help was excellent. I almost resigned to the fact, that i will need to replace my machine, but you kindly come to my assistance, and YES one of the memory module was causing the machine to make that horrible beeping and not to be able to boot.

If i may say so, the machine if anything, much quieter than before.

So may I say a very big thank you to all the team for so quickly responding to my problem.

Many thanks

[Jelly Bean]

Hello and welcome back.

 

Please do not worry about time frame someone is always here to help when members post.

 

I am glad it was only a RAM stick and your issue is resolved.

 

Thankyou for your kind words and please feel free to pop back anytime if you need help or just want to join in on some fun.

 

Jelly Bean.

[zinglebarb]

Hello Jelly Bean and all.

I'm sorry for being so slow, but your help was excellent. I almost resigned to the fact, that i will need to replace my machine, but you kindly come to my assistance, and YES one of the memory module was causing the machine to make that horrible beeping and not to be able to boot.

If i may say so, the machine if anything, much quieter than before.

So may I say a very big thank you to all the team for so quickly responding to my problem.

Many thanks

 

are you going to replace the stick? the system may miss it and run a bit slow depending on how much you have left

[kopasz73]

Hi Zinglebarb.

I have contacted ORCA logic, who originally supplied my 2 x 1 GIG sticks as an upgrade, and was advised via E-Mail that a new one will be sent in the next couple of days, guaranteed replacement (the failed unit was just over 1 year old)

As the total was 3.5 GIG, the remaining 2.5 GIG should be sufficient for now, till the replacement arrives.

If it is correct that a new one is sent free of charge, I can highly recommend this company for memory modules!!!

Thanks for your advice

[Plastic Nev]

Hi good to know it is now sorted, and the memory supplier is hopefully replacing free of charge, thanks for the update.