Dead PC, need some help please

dipstick · Jul 21, 2003, 05:43 PM

Last week my PC decided to die on me. When I turned it on, nothing would happen. The fans would spin, but there where no beeps or anything. Since then I have tried running a different cpu and memory with no luck, not even a single beep dammit. So, now I think it's the mobo, but before I go ordering another I would like to hear what you guys have to say.
Thx alot

***Zardon*** · Jul 21, 2003, 05:46 PM

the abit rev2 man?

ToshiroOC · Jul 21, 2003, 05:47 PM

Yes, that does sound like a motherboard problem

Does the motherboard do anything at all? Does the northbridge fan spin up, if there is one?

dipstick · Jul 21, 2003, 05:54 PM

Yep, it's the Abit; only two weeks old too

But the fan on the mobo works fine, and all lights seem normal too. But no go at all. I guess I'll try a new mobo and see what happens.
It's also been awhile since I've had to go through this and I can't say I missed it.

Dyre Straits · Jul 21, 2003, 06:16 PM

Just a couple of thoughts:

1. Do you see any bulging or leaking caps around the base of the CPU?

2. Are you positive that the CPU is seated firmly and correctly? I had a little problem at first with my new ABIT BD7 with getting the CPU set right. For you, it might have even gotten loose or something.

~~DriveEuro~~ · Jul 21, 2003, 06:33 PM

Personally I think that it is the CPU...... If the bios is dead usually it doesn't even spin the fans...

dipstick · Jul 21, 2003, 07:35 PM

The cpu did not seem to have any visible damage and neither does the mobo. Also the cpu and memory from my PC work great in my brothers, so they can't be it. Anyways, I have already ordered another mobo, so I'm hoping everything's back on track soon. Thx guys

Dyre Straits · Jul 21, 2003, 07:58 PM

Did you see any code numbers on the mobo? My BD7 has an LCD that puts out code numbers that can help determine problems.

~~DriveEuro~~ · Jul 21, 2003, 08:21 PM

Can you possibly try the CPU in another mobo?

Dyre Straits · Jul 21, 2003, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DriveEuro
Can you possibly try the CPU in another mobo?

He did say that the CPU and memory worked OK in his brother's.

BWX · Jul 21, 2003, 08:48 PM

Could it be the psu? Is that possible? What if one of the wires came loose on the main connector. (like that ever happens)- but I wonder if it would cause the same symtoms?

Kgentatszu] · Jul 21, 2003, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by BWX232
Could it be the psu? Is that possible? What if one of the wires came loose on the main connector. (like that ever happens)- but I wonder if it would cause the same symtoms?

possible......cause that happened to me once..............all i did is change a new PSU...but i doubt it that your problem...

The_Neon_Cowboy · Jul 22, 2003, 07:44 AM

frst thing first ... i'd be looking at the psu then ...bios then . check out the cpu ram ... and seting of al the cards...

does the little light on you mobo light up?

is there a funny smell? if so were from

take out the psu unit and look and see if you see in brun marks or little peices of crap moveig around in there

evergreen · Jul 22, 2003, 10:41 AM

When troubleshooting, take the PC down to the bare minimums (power supply, processor, RAM & video card) and check all connections. If you get no video at that point, then replace the easiest parts first with known good parts--video, RAM...). If you do get video, then start plugging things in one at a time.

If you have already taken these steps, then I am just being informational to all.

Peace

Logla · Jul 22, 2003, 01:47 PM

When you switch on, do the hard disk(s) spin up. Just that yours are very similar symptoms to what I had with my last pc. at first I just got no display and after taking everything apart and re-assembling it, nothing except for the spinning fans and hard disks. I got no bios beeps at all and the floppy drive stayed totally inactive.

If you have on-board lan it may be worth seeing if the link and activity lights are on. Mine were both on solid where the activity LED should have been flickering.

Good luck with whatever you choose to do.

dipstick · Jul 22, 2003, 01:51 PM

Thx for the help guys. The mobo does not have the ability to display any codes so I cannot find out what's wrong the easy way. The PSU is also about a year old but is of fairly good quality-Antec TruePower 550w, but that may be it too. Nothing smells or looks burnt and I have also checked all connections and they seem fine too. I have also tried running the PC with the absolute bare essentials but still no go. I do not have another PSU to test on it and my bro won't like me taking his new PC apart everyday but if the new mobo don't work tomorrow I guess I'll grab another PSU also.
Thx

~~Sourcer_2002~~ · Jul 22, 2003, 01:55 PM

My advice is to test everypart in another PC.

BWX · Jul 22, 2003, 10:15 PM

Good luck kakarot, hope everything works out and not too many parts are damaged.

Kgentatszu] · Jul 23, 2003, 07:01 AM

best of luck kakarot

dipstick · Jul 24, 2003, 05:37 PM

Thx for the kind words guys, I really appreciate it. But I got my new board in today and everything booted up fine. So, I guess it was the mobo...thank God. Also, one good thing about all this is that I now have two serial ATA adapters and I can run a serial ata raid array; the little wires rock. Anyways, thx for all the help.

Robert McClelland · Jul 24, 2003, 06:26 PM

Maybe it needs new cpu batter?

dipstick · Jul 25, 2003, 12:35 PM

Crap guys, I think it is the PSU. I've been getting some hard shutdowns today and it's been doing the same thing as before when I try to start it back up. Also I can now notice a loud clunking sound from the psu when I first tun it on. I guess I bought a new mobo for nothing, anyone want a Abit NFS v2? Anyways, I'm thinking about the enermax 431w, anyone have anything good to say about them? I've heard it's even better than my dead Antec 550w??
Thx again

Kgentatszu] · Jul 27, 2003, 12:26 AM

of course its better than your "dead" Antec 550W PSU ~LOL

Falstaff · Jul 27, 2003, 12:59 AM

not likely, but then, it is possible, I realize they don't all pass the rigid tests, but at least they measure up for most part, could be wierd juice or damage from a spike. Are you using a UPS? If not then the possibility of power supply failure or damage seems more likely of course.
mobo and CPU problems are elementary. but enviornmental factors may play into this of course.
Start with the simplest things first then work your way up.

BWX · Jul 27, 2003, 01:03 AM

If you are hearing a "clunk" from the PSU, it sounds like the fan blocked or something. I mean, what else could cause a clunk sound in a PSU? That's just weird.

**Roadee** · Jul 27, 2003, 01:19 AM

not sure if this helps.....but......

When I got in my new Abit NF7-S I put it in my buddies new case since some of his parts weren't in yet

I took a brand new Antec TP 380w and put it in the case. I clicked on the power button on the power supply and the little light lit up on the mother board but hitting the button would not turn on the PC. I tried everything I could think of. I plugged the new 380 into my working computer and it fired right up (A7N8X DLX) without any problems..powered down and plugged it back into the Abit.....light came on but nothing else.....no fans or anything.......just the LED on the MB. I took an old 85w PSU that came out of an old system I was scraping and plugged it into the Abit......it fired right up with no problems. I plugged in the power supply from my tower (Antec TP 430w) and the Abit fired right up......without a hitch. Plugged back in the new 380....and once again NOTHING but the MB LED.

His parts came in that afternoon, so I put his system together (Asus A7N-266 VM/AA..it is just for his kids) plugged in that new power supply and it was just fine....no problems. But for some strange reason that particular Antec power supply would not power up the Abit NF7-S to save my life......I still cant figure it out. But a couple of days ago I picked up an Antec PSU tester at CompUSA for $15. It is a pretty simple unit and gives the instructions on how to test the PSU with a multi meter for those who dont know how. With as many systems as I work on and build.....I truely did need this little device.

I dont know if this bit of information helps you any bud....but it was such a strange occurance that I thought I should share it with everyone in hopes that it might help someone that may come across this one day.

Maybe there is a glitch with the Abit NF7-S Rev 2 boards when used with certain Antec TP power supplies?? I dont know.....but it sure seems like a strange coincidence.