Booting trouble...

[Andromedon]

I can't get my computer to load up to BIOS. It won't even do a speaker check. I've tried unplugging everything but the graphics card and I am still having trouble.

Before I encountered that problem my system was running fine but occasionally I would get a "no signal" on my monitor and no matter what I did to get it to come back on it wouldn't until I restarted it.

Now, I have two different processors for my computer and the only difference I've been able to make is when I switch the two, the older one shuts the power off after five seconds of it being on...and the newest one keeps it on with no apparent hard drive activity or anything, as if its locked in stasis.

Also note that I have switched power sources too, so that isn't the problem. Any suggestions or help would be welcome right about now!

[infringer]

Sounds like the power supply unit...

But... Who knows a possible system board faliure due to ESD (electro static discharge) maybe the cause...

But when a computer boots up the CPU checks the power and verifies that hey its good.. Which is what is leading me to believe that your powersupply unit is the problem.

Dose your POST screen activate at all...?

If so do you recieve any error messages?

Or series of beeps possibly?

-infringer-

[CRLocky]

well all your possibilities you've found, are connected to your motherboard...
that's my first guess

[Andromedon]

No beeps, no post screen at all. The power comes on and stays on with the new processor installed but with the old processor all it does is stay on for five to ten seconds and then shuts off.

My power supply is connected to my motherboard. I also redid the braces that were supporting my motherboard (from behind) by replacing them with plastic ones.

I'm truly at a loss what to do next.

[crackerjacker]

hmm try a different video card
or do what infringer says

[infringer]

Powersupply unit it sounds like did you change that out?

If not it is your system board...

-infringer-

[cpugeniusmv]

It would probably do some beeping if it were just a video card problem. I'm with infringer--if it's not the PSU, it's the motherboard.

[phalkon30]

Have you tried clearing the CMOS?

Also, I've seen bad RAM do this. Although usually its the motherboard.

[Andromedon]

Thanks everyone with your advice. I am rather seasoned too, when it comes to bad system components and tried what you all had said (a new video card, power supply, processor and even RAM didn't help). I've deduced the problem to be a bad motherboard...it is pretty old and has been through thick and thin, it will be missed. All bow your heads in respect to the dearly departed....

[mcovey]

sometimes when my power goes out this happens, to many computers i've had. If the "circuit breaker" on my UPS doesnt work, I open it and take out peripherals, tighten everything and even uncover the powersupply (do so at your own risk, i just wear gloves) and push down on/tighten everything in there, then it works. I don't know why, but it always happens when the power goes out. So def try the UPS thing if you have a UPS with a circuit breaker.

[infringer]

If your PSU is faulty any tech will tell you for the most part to replace the unit...

Even if the fan goes on the thing...

-infringer-

[Andromedon]

I do have one question thats been nagging me for quite some time. Will the computer boot up without the heatsink on the processor?

[infringer]

lol ummm your processor would overheat or freeze not a good idea I wish I had that video link from toms hardware to show you what happens to processors that are not cooled...

Dam if anyone has that link... Post it lol.

But yeah that is not a good idea at all but I would reason to believe that your computer would atleast boot up and show the post screen I was never really gutsy enough to test the theory of running the PC without cooling...


Not a smart move dont do it...

-infringer-

[Andromedon]

Thanks for answering about the processor...I just got sick and tired of switching them back and forth putting the heatsink on all the time. I was only keeping the computer on for a short period of time for testing purposes. I just wanted to know if it would fail to boot if the heatsink wasn't on the processor.

So what your saying is if everything but the motherboard was working properly, it would post an error message at startup? The power sources I'm currently using are questionable. One was accidentally put on the wrong power setting, that little red switch on the back was changed to the other setting and used that way.....and the other one I got from a friend that was outside for a couple years in a shed!

I worked on it somemore today and still have the same problem...no post screen or speaker sound. Both powersources (the above mentioned ones) run....and the fans come on, thats it.

[cpugeniusmv]

Thanks for answering about the processor...I just got sick and tired of switching them back and forth putting the heatsink on all the time. I was only keeping the computer on for a short period of time for testing purposes. I just wanted to know if it would fail to boot if the heatsink wasn't on the processor.

It would probably fry pretty quick :)

So what your saying is if everything but the motherboard was working properly, it would post an error message at startup?

Probably, but not necessarily.

The power sources I'm currently using are questionable. One was accidentally put on the wrong power setting, that little red switch on the back was changed to the other setting and used that way.....and the other one I got from a friend that was outside for a couple years in a shed!

I worked on it somemore today and still have the same problem...no post screen or speaker sound. Both powersources (the above mentioned ones) run....and the fans come on, thats it.

I had a similar problem with my shuttle after screwing around (no jokes, I've heard them all.) with the motherboard. It was in fact the motherboard in my situation, and I had to replace it.