Can't boot!!!

[Hship]

Hi,

 

I recently added extra RAM (2x 256 MB, to my excisting 2x 512 MB) to my system and my pc worked perfect with it for about a week. Then later as my pc finished booting my exterior speakers gave three beeps. Not sure what it was, I ignored it. Then while I was busy on the computer it just restarted without warning and finally this afternoon it restarted again and did not want to boot and gave three beeps with the system speaker.

 

I looked it up on the internet and found that it was an hardware fault and most likely the RAM. I removed the new RAM and my pc booted and once on the desktop it restarted again. After that the furthest it got in the boot process was the Intel screen with press F2 for Bios etc. before restarting again. I checked each of my older RAM disks seperately and got the same results.:mad:

 

Is this a RAM problem and can anyone please help me?:confused:

 

Thanks,

Hship

[KenB]

Hi,

 

You have done exactly what I would so far :)

 

Have you tried each RAM module in each slot individually ?

 

Next step:

Disconnect all external devices - monitor; printer etc.

 

Switch off at tthe wall - leave the plug in to maintain the earth (ground) connection to the motherboard.

Take the panel off and touch the bare metal chassis to discharge any static in you.

 

Remove all cards ( Sound; video; ethernet; RAM etc ) from the motherboard.

Remove all major connections ( DVD; Hard Drive ) from the motherboard.

Leave ONLY the 20(4) way connector from the PSU connected.

 

Switch on.

 

You should get POST beeps - and it should not re-boot.

 

Switch off and put the video card in (assuming it is not onboard video)

Try again.

It should not re-boot.

 

Keep adding one item at a time until the re-boot problem is replicated.

This identifies the hardware causing the problem.

 

It could be the motherboard ( RAM slots ) - but post back with the results of the above.

[Hship]

Hi,

 

Thanks for your help it seems that my primary harddrive is the problem. I would probably have to take it to a proffesional.

 

Thanks,

Hship

[Net_Surfer]

Hi Hship,

 

Find the right memory, the easy way...

 

The Crucial System Scanner automatically analyzes your computer memory information and suggests an upgrade that's guaranteed compatible.

 

Go to Crucial and test your memory

 

Note: Downloading and running the Crucial System Scanner is easy.

 

1. First, agree to the terms and conditions.

2. Click the "download the scanner" button, and choose "Save File" when prompted.

3. Save the file to your desktop, or anywhere you prefer.

4. Navigate to this saved CrucialScan.exe file and open. If you get a security warning, click "Run" to allow the download.

5. It will take several moments while your browser is updated with your scan results.

 

~~~~

BIOS beep codes

 

1- Make sure you have a case speaker connected, if you are getting 1 long continuous beep this indicates the system can’t find usable ram, reseat the ram, try different ram or try the ram in a different dimm slot

 

2- 1 long 2 short indicates video error reseat the video card, try another video card

 

 

Nothing on the screen with no beeps

 

 

1-Make sure the hs (heatsink) is installed properly, tight with thermal paste applied

2-Make sure the cpu fan is connected to the correct header on the motherboard

3-Clear the cmos by unplugging the computer removing the battery then move the clear cmos jumper from pins 1&2 to 2&3 for 10 minutes

4-Replace the battery and move the jumper back to pins 1&2

5-Verify all motherboard jumpers are set correctly

6-Verify all case connections are correct ( case switch ect.)

7-Verify the power supplies 20/24 pin and 4pin 12v are tightly seated to the motherboard

 

Still won’t go

 

 

1-Remove all drives and cards except the video, remove front sound and usb

2-Repeat the above

3-The idea here is to get the computer to post and boot into bios if after doing so you are able to get into bios let the computer idle in bios for a while and watch the temps and voltages.

4-If everything appears normal load the bios defaults and make sure to save and exit

5-Now add the drives and install windows then add the remaining cards

 

 

Still won’t go

 

 

1-Remove the motherboard from the case and place on a piece of cardboard

2-Install only the cpu with hsf, 1 stick ram in dimm 1, psu, video card, case switch and case speaker

3-Connect ps2 mouse and keyboard along with the monitor

4-Repeat the above and power on

5-If the computer now boots into bios you most likely had a case short so make sure when installing the motherboard in the case that you use standoffs and they line up with the mounting holes in the motherboard and none of the standoffs touch anything else on the underside of the board.

 

 

If all the above fails, then reply back explaining what you have done and listing your full system specs

 

Regards

Net_Surfer

[Hship]

Graphics card is the problem

 

Hi,

 

I have been able to find that my graphics card (Nvidia GeForce 6800 GS, 256 mb) is the problem. It got to hot to fast, so I checked if there was enough heatsink compound on the processor. The compound was all dried up and basically non excisting. Once I cleaned and replaced the compound the problem persists and I can only get in to the bios a short while before it resets and if I attempt to boot in VGA mode (instead of super VGA) the computer resets when showing the blue welcome screen.

 

Is the card possibly heat damaged and if so can it be repaired?

 

Thanks

[KenB]

it seems that my primary harddrive is the problem

 

my graphics card (Nvidia GeForce 6800 GS, 256 mb) is the problem

so I checked if there was enough heatsink compound on the processor

 

You don't seem to be approaching this logically.

Re. heatsink compound (just to confirm)

Was this applied to the video card or the CPU heatsink on the motherboard?

 

With ALL cards and connections off the motherboard does the system reboot ?

 

If "no" then put the video card back in.

Does it reboot now?

 

If it does it looks as if the video card is the problem.

 

You mentioned the hard drive ......

How did you come to this conclusion?

[Hship]

Hi KenB

 

The hard drive wasn't the problem. It got into the Bios without the hard drive but when I connected it nothing happened, but after fiddling with it I got the computer to go into the Bios with the hard drive. Thus please ignore that post.

 

The heat sink compound on the video card.

 

"With ALL cards and connections off the motherboard does the system reboot ?" I don't understand what you mean, with all the cards and connections off the motherboard, there is no bootable device or a way to connect the screen to the computer to see what is happening.

 

The computer boots in VGA mode (with the video card) but resets soon after.

[KenB]

Sorry for the confusion - it should have read ...."....does the system restart".

 

Take the video card out.

Switch on.

You will no doubt get POST beeps telling you there is something amiss.

Let the system sit there ......

Does it restart?

If not ....It sounds to me that your video card is the problem.

 

A simple test would be to put your card in another system and see if that replicates the rebooting problem.

 

 

Video Card repair:

This wouldn't be cheap and may well be more expensive than a new card.

The manufacturers may supply this service or suggest a recommended list of agents.

Be very careful using unknown/un-recommended repairers.

Edited March 30, 2010 by KenB

[Hship]

Hi,

 

It was the video card, replaced it and my pc works perfect now. Thanks for the help!

[KenB]

Glad to hear that you are up-and-running again :)