Sheefa Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 Had this spec for about 1 1/2 years now and it's been great, but now having some weird problems: AMD X2 Dual Core 4600+ CPU Gigabyte GA-K8NXP-9 Mobo 2 GB Geil Dual Channel 3200 Memory Radeon X800 XL (Silent Core PCI-E) 256mb Graphics Card Western Digital 36GB Hard Drive (10,000rpm) Maxtor 200GB Hard Drive Decent (can't remember make) 500watt PSU 2 X HP DVD Drives Gigabyte WI-FI Card (came with motherboard) So, recently my wireless has been playing havoc with the system and has caused it to freeze on numerous occasions so I removed it. However, also during this time my computer began to freeze after some length of time, watching a movie, browsing files etc. Now though the computer won't boot at all, or at least on 99% of occasions. Sometimes, and I mean rarely, it will load up the OS but otherwise the screen is BLANK - no DOS prompt, Boot Menu etc. The memory is fine as it's brand new and I bought it to replace some G-skill stuff I had in there - problem existed before this anyway. I've also tried disconnecting the OS Hard Drive to see if I can just get to the Boot Up Menu, but no luck. There's no POST beeps at all, but I can hear the Mobo trying to boot the drives twice, before giving up. As I said, the screen is completely BLANK, but sometimes will load up the Boot Menu. Wi-Fi card has been removed. I've run Registry Mechanic, Ad-Aware, Spyware Doctor and Diskeeper when I have managed to get in and all is well there. What could it be??? I *think* it may be my Graphics Card on the way out, but any other good tests I can do to make sure guys please? I'm hoping the CPU is ok!! I don't mind if I have to replace the Mobo as it isn't brilliant to be honest. Hope you can help. Cheers, Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harps Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 Many moons ago I had a similar problem that turned out to be the bios battery was flat. It was replaced and all was well. I'm a bit crap on computers so I don't know if more modern PC's are likely to have the same problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheefa Posted August 27, 2007 Author Share Posted August 27, 2007 Many moons ago I had a similar problem that turned out to be the bios battery was flat. It was replaced and all was well. I'm a bit crap on computers so I don't know if more modern PC's are likely to have the same problem. Oooh, good point, would of never thought of that! Worth a shot I suppose - thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uk-rich Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 try getting rid of all that gay porn you have stored on there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gzaerojon Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 you could always pop the bios battery out and lick the edge to see if there's power Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheefa Posted August 27, 2007 Author Share Posted August 27, 2007 try getting rid of all that gay porn you have stored on there Then how the hell will I be able to burn all these DVDs you've asked for then mate? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheefa Posted August 27, 2007 Author Share Posted August 27, 2007 you could always pop the bios battery out and lick the edge to see if there's power No! But if I take the BIOS battery out the Mobo won't start will it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gzaerojon Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 No! But if I take the BIOS battery out the Mobo won't start will it? just to test the battery then pop it back in then i would go into the bios and check everything is as it should be Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konrad Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 I think that even flat BIOS battery shouldn't cause blank screen, just all BIOS settings would reset. I would rather check CPU fan and graphic card fan at start. If computer keeps black screen or reseting himself, it is usually overheated CPU. If it is freezing and keep frozen windows screen or game/movie etc. it is graphic card (usually). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivan Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 is a good place to start. I had the same problem on my daughters PC. It would only run if she took the side panel off and pointed a desk fan in there. I took the heatsink off the CPU and brushed out all the dust and it's been fine ever since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pixelfill Posted August 27, 2007 Share Posted August 27, 2007 Usually during POST a graphic card failure would report an audible error code though wouldn't it? either way no POST screen is pretty fundmental so would suggest mobo, cpu, or PSU to me HTH Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Konrad Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 Usually during POST a graphic card failure would report an audible error code though wouldn't it? either way no POST screen is pretty fundmental so would suggest mobo, cpu, or PSU to me HTH Mike Ah yes, forgot about PSU - check power Supply obviously too! Clean it at start Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DamanC Posted August 28, 2007 Share Posted August 28, 2007 In most likely order, mobo, PSU or CPU is kaput. If you can try to borrow another CPU or PSU to test. The lack of post usually means its the mobo. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheefa Posted September 16, 2007 Author Share Posted September 16, 2007 Thanks all. Still haven't got down to the crux of the problem yet as none of my mates have PCI-E so can't test graphics. Might just bite the bullet and get a new AMD2 system and graphics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angarak Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 Take the graphics card out and boot up, you should hear "beeeeeeeeeeep beep beep beep" (thats the usual graphics post error). If you dont get that (or any beeping), it aint your graphics card. A flat CMOS battery shouldnt stop it from booting, but they are cheap should you want to try that. Also, try booting up with just 1 RAM module in, if you get the same problem, replace the RAM module with another and try again. Just because you got new memory, doesnt mean its OK Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pabs Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 Usually with problems like this I start the PC with the bare minimum installed. Remove the cables & power to the HDD's, CD/DVD's, remove any unnecessary PCI cards and hardware, leaving purely the mobo, gfx card, CPU/Fan, and 1 stick of RAM. This way you can eliminate all of that hardware straight away - and leaves you with less to look at. Again I can't see a mobo battery causing the issues, but it's cheap to swap! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheefa Posted September 16, 2007 Author Share Posted September 16, 2007 Thanks Anarak and Pabs. Will try both of those ideas now and report back. Been thinking about a lovely new AMD2 system, but components alone would cost £600+. Tempting mind. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheefa Posted September 16, 2007 Author Share Posted September 16, 2007 Right, done it. Unplugged all HDs, CD/DVD Drives, 1 stick of old working RAM and took out graphics card. No beep/error signals made and of course it didn't boot to post. I'm sure all Mobos have an LED that lights green when they're working correct? I think mine did, but nothing lights up anymore. Must be dead Mobo or hopefully just the battery, I suppose it could stil be the CPU too, but PSU seems to be powering up just fine. Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Papercutout Posted September 16, 2007 Share Posted September 16, 2007 check the capacitors on the motherboard, might have finally gone, you never know. look for signs of bulging or a slight leak... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheefa Posted September 21, 2007 Author Share Posted September 21, 2007 Nightmare. Replaced battery and no good. Mobo seems dead. Can't be arsed to upgrade. Anyone know of a solid socket 939 mobo I can buy for cheapish (£50?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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