Odd symptoms, computer down for a month and counting.

  1. #1
    Merlyn is offline Newbie

    Angry Odd symptoms, computer down for a month and counting.

    Here is a tough one for you.

    Computer:
    Homebuilt, running XP Pro, two HDD's (one WD 120Gb, one 40Gb), one DVD ROM, one CD-RW, one floppy (yes, I actually have one), SB Live, Generic 56k Modem, and a 128 Mb Gforce video, 1Gb RAM (two 512 Mb sticks)

    Problem:
    PS powers up, fans run, HDD's spin up (I belive), no POST, no beeps, no continuing.

    Before computer died, had odd failures from USB ports.

    Replaced so far:
    MB & CPU

    RAM tested good, PS has good voltages.

    I need help, this has been down for over a month, and no one is able to help me.


  2. #2
    jephree is offline ¨*·.¸ «.·°·..·°·.» ¸.·*¨
    If you power on without any RAM does it beep?

  3. #3
    Merlyn is offline Newbie
    no beepie.

  4. #4
    jephree is offline ¨*·.¸ «.·°·..·°·.» ¸.·*¨
    Assuming that the motherboard (or case) has a working speaker that would indicate a bad motherboard or bad CPU or an incompatibility between the two.

    Do you have both the ATX 24 pin Main Power connected as well as the 8 (or 4) pin +12V connection connected?

  5. #5
    Merlyn is offline Newbie
    Yep, I got the new CPU and matched it to the MB. The 24-pin main plug is well set, and the four pin is set also. The MB is new, along with the CPU.

    What I have replaced in the computer hasn't changed how the computer is acting. Should I try replacing the PS? I don't think that the PS is the problem, even though the PS is putting out the correct (within tolerances) voltages. Is it possible that the current isn't enough? It is a 480W PS, and should have MORE than enough wattage and current for what hardware is plugged into it.

  6. #6
    jephree is offline ¨*·.¸ «.·°·..·°·.» ¸.·*¨
    480W should handle most systems. There is also a minimum end on some PSU's. In other words: "Are you drawing enough Watts?" would be the question.

    Do you know that either the board itself or the case has a working speaker?

    Are you sure that your RAM voltage matches the motherboard's?

  7. #7
    Merlyn is offline Newbie
    Interesting question about the minimum wattage.... I will have to try to look into that one.

    MB should have a working speaker.... moved it over from the other MB, and didn't have any probs with it there. I wasn't sure if it was plugged in backwards, so even tried it opposite from what I had it on.

    RAM should match up. I got a replacement with the same specs, aside from USB2.0 vs. 1.x, compared to what the previous MB was. I tried to get everything the same.

  8. #8
    jephree is offline ¨*·.¸ «.·°·..·°·.» ¸.·*¨
    Some newer boards have an initial RAM voltage set to 1.8V whereas a lot of RAM (old & new) are set to run at 2.1V

    With 2.1V RAM in a new 1.8V board nothing will happen. In this case one would need to install a 1.8V "stick" to enter the BIOS and change the mobo voltage to 2.1V

    This is just my last learning experience with my last build so I thought I'd mention it.

    If I think of anything else I will pass it on.

  9. #9
    Merlyn is offline Newbie
    To be honest, I am not sure the voltage of the RAM...... or what is set on the new MB.

    One stick is a PC2700 DDR 512Mb, the other is PC2100 DDR 512Mb. I don't see anything on them that states voltages....

    This has really been bothering me for a while, and I appreciate all the help that you have given.

  10. #10
    jephree is offline ¨*·.¸ «.·°·..·°·.» ¸.·*¨
    If you know the specific make and model of the RAM and Mobo this info can usually be found on the manufacturer's web site.

+ Reply to Thread
Page 1 of 2 1 2 LastLast