Curse

Larcen · Jun 07, 2008, 07:49 AM // 07:49

Ok, so a few weeks ago I had pc issues. No biggie. I bought a new Motherboard and finally got around to switching it out tonight. Hit the power button and the fan lights up, I can 'feel' and 'hear' the hard drive spinning, but nothing is on the monitor. So, I switched Video Cards, same issue. I then unplug the hard drive, same issue. Finally I remove the RAM, same issue. Since there are no beeps from POST complaining about video, or ram being faulty or not present, whats left? Motherboard is new, power supply is brand new as well. 2 different video cards, and no complaints either way when RAM is removed. All thats left is the CPU, assuming it is fried, would it cause the behavior I am experiencing?

Brimstonez · Jun 07, 2008, 08:44 AM // 08:44

Check your wires, you may have input them wrong on your motherboard. This is a common issue. Respond if the issue persists.

-rightuos- · Jun 07, 2008, 09:00 AM // 09:00

Motherboard with no beeps on post from missing ram, gfx board, or HD, is dead motherboard. I assume DOA motherboard because CPU was working in old board. Maybe check the internal speaker is connected correctly as well. Also like Brimstonez mentioned make sure everything is hooked up right.

Admael · Jun 07, 2008, 12:29 PM // 12:29

No POST with CPU intact means borked board. Otherwise, the POST error code/beeps will tell you errors.

Snograt · Jun 07, 2008, 12:34 PM // 12:34

I hope Brimstonez is right too - because I did exactly the same thing last night! I know my connectors are wrong, because the PWR LED is on when the system is off and vice versa. If mine works when I swap them, I'll let you know.

As I said in my "Overclocking made simple" thread - those connectors are a royal pain. There is no way of knowing if they're right or not, they are fiddly to insert and the PWR LED is often 3-pin rather than 2-pin, meaning you have to hack the connector apart to make it fit.

Come on, mobo and case guys - standardise the connections and make it a one-plug-with-8-connectors solution.

Brianna · Jun 07, 2008, 04:21 PM // 16:21

Yeah I did this to my old AGP board (The computer I had former to this one for 3 years), tried moving it from one case to another and fried it out, all it did was sit and beep no matter what wire/hardware configuration I put in it, so I figured I fried it.

But assuming yours isn't even posting at all, I would imagine it is fried out. And ''DOA'' parts come around sometimes, not every new part works out of the box - that's why it sucks for people who order stuff online and get a DOA part.. yeesh, lots of run around there.

Quaker · Jun 08, 2008, 03:25 AM // 03:25

It would be easier if you could tell us what cpu and what motherboard. For all we know, you're trying to run a 386 cpu in a Socket 7 motherboard.

Larcen · Jun 08, 2008, 04:47 AM // 04:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quaker

It would be easier if you could tell us what cpu and what motherboard. For all we know, you're trying to run a 386 cpu in a Socket 7 motherboard.

Luckily for us all, I'm not that stupid, been doing 'this' for a few years now. Anyhow, it is a PD 820 cpu, and the board that stopped working was a Intel 945PSN, which was replaced with a 955XBK. Not cutting edge hardware, but works. Anyway, the reason I replaced the mb was that when all connectors were in place, it wouldn't do anything. If I removed one of the 4 pin standard connectors from the mb itself, it would come on, but not show anything on screen etc. So, I replaced the Power Supply since it smelled burnt, and replaced the MB at the same time. Now I get the activity spoken of earlier. I just got in from work, so I'll try all suggestions in a bit, and let you know what happened afterwards.

Quaker · Jun 08, 2008, 11:31 PM // 23:31

Um, wouldn't you think maybe it's the CPU?

zamial · Jun 09, 2008, 12:36 PM // 12:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larcen

So, I replaced the Power Supply since it smelled burnt. . .

ok that is not good.

http://download.intel.com/design/mot...k/D1406501.pdf
see section 2.8 of that pdf? jumper settings.

is the power strip/UPS breaker tripped? try a different plug on it, or a known good strip/UPS.

on the back of the mobo where the power cords plug into it, make sure there is solder sometimes the machine "runs out", this is called a cold solder. if cold solder is the case RMA.

when chasing down bad hardware start as small as possible.
power supply,mobo,cpu,1 stick of ram, monitor, keyboard and mouse.
make sure everything is connected, I forgot a 8 pin mobo cord 1 time, it may be 4 in your case.

post?
If it was yes, start adding components(vid cards, more ram,ect.) 1 at a time and "see what happens". rebooting for post after every component.

If no, then take it all apart(including the cpu), then remove the cmos battery.(it looks like a giant watch battery) leave it out for 2 min. reassemble.

post?
if yes , see yes above.
assume no, try the ram in a different slot, then a new stick.
post?
if no, well at this point i think i would RMA the mobo and have a little rum.

Dark Kal · Jun 09, 2008, 01:25 PM // 13:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quaker

Um, wouldn't you think maybe it's the CPU?

This would seem the most likely. Two mobos fail? Unlikely.

Larcen · Jun 09, 2008, 11:17 PM // 23:17

Ok, thanks for everyone's replies. I've taken each and every one of them into consideration. Even though most of them are things I've already done, I did my best to retry them all again as suggested. And to Zamial, I took -everything- out of the case, down to the Power Supply, Motherboard, Cooler, and CPU -only- and still nothing. When the power button is pressed, the cooler fan comes on but nothing else happens. I suppose I'll break down and buy a new CPU, don't really want to, but whatever. I wish there were easier ways to test motherboards and cpu's instead of trial and error. Stay tuned for more interesting tales of my bad luck!

Dark Kal · Jun 10, 2008, 10:04 AM // 10:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larcen

I wish there were easier ways to test motherboards and cpu's instead of trial and error. Stay tuned for more interesting tales of my bad luck!

They're two of the most essential parts of the computer hence the hardest to test. You can plug the CPU into a working computer (must be a compatible mobo with the correct socket), this will instantly tell you if your CPU is the problem. Same goes for the mobo use the good parts from the working computer and you will instantly see if your mobo is the problem.

fusa · Jun 10, 2008, 11:41 AM // 11:41

Even with no CPU installed a MB will give POST signals. If you want to see if its a bad cpu you can try using a post code card. They're about $40. But if you've tried booting with no cpu and get no errors then its the mb. CPU's are usually the least likely to die in a system.

Dark Kal · Jun 10, 2008, 12:40 PM // 12:40

Quote:

Originally Posted by fusa

Even with no CPU installed a MB will give POST signals. If you want to see if its a bad cpu you can try using a post code card. They're about $40. But if you've tried booting with no cpu and get no errors then its the mb. CPU's are usually the least likely to die in a system.

Nope not all mobo's beep when they're is no CPU it depends on the mobo. Some mobo's don't beep when the CPU is removed.

fusa · Jun 10, 2008, 12:55 PM // 12:55

his gives post 1F when there's cpu problems...not sure if it beeps but a post card will show a bad cpu.

Quaker · Jun 10, 2008, 03:54 PM // 15:54

Also, of course, it's perfectly reasonable to pick up some cheap used (but compatable) cpu (such as a Celeron) to try out the motherboard. That would be cheaper than buying a POST card.

Larcen · Jun 24, 2008, 06:05 PM // 18:05

Update.

Alright, so I got around to buying a new CPU. Not high end, latest and greatest, but I use this setup on another box in the house. Its just a PD 930 cpu. So, I'll get around to putting Humpty Dumpty back together tonight or tomorrow and I got a few questions. Correct me if I am wrong.

Attaching the CPU, Motherboard, and Power supply only together without ram, video, hard drive, etc should still POST and beep complaining about missing components yes? Granted, I wouldn't want this situation to run more than a few seconds without a heat sink or fan. BUT! Assuming the cpu, motherboard, and power supply are -good- I should get POST and beep codes. Right, or wrong.

fusa · Jun 24, 2008, 07:40 PM // 19:40

Connect the heat sink if you can, only takes a few seconds for a cpu to get VERY hot. Yes you should hear beeps signaling the other missing components.

Lord Sojar · Jun 24, 2008, 08:23 PM // 20:23

You don't ever need a HDD for a PC to post. RAM is needed for it to POST correctly, and typically you will hear a series of beep codes (5-8 in length) telling you the RAM modules are not installed. Same with Video card, which is typically 3-4 beeps, depending on board maker.