Computer not booting :(

psychopath · 03-05-2005, 09:00 PM

I tried to test an old ASUS P3B-F for a friend who can make use of it. Problem is, I can't get it to boot. Everything seems to power up ok, but I see nothing on the screen. Any ideas as to what could be wrong??

-psychopath

bithub · 03-05-2005, 09:04 PM

Something is probably wrong with either the motherboard, video card, processor, power supply, or monitor.

I'd swap out video cards first, since that is the easiest to check (and from my experience, the most likely cause of the problem).

psychopath · 03-05-2005, 09:30 PM

i swaped video cards and moniters and power supply, so that leaves the processor and the board itself. The last time I used the board it worked perfectly. The processor worked to, and still works i think, because it heats up.

-psychopath

bithub · 03-06-2005, 05:02 AM

Well the fact the processor heats up doesn't mean it is working correctly. The only sure way to rule it out is if you have an extra one you can swap with. Make sure the CMOS jumper is in place (the one that clears the BIOS). I've seen some boards act pretty weird when it's missing. You can also check the motherboard battery. I'm not sure if a bad battery could cause this sort of problem, but it's worth a shot.

**Salem** · 03-06-2005, 05:51 AM

Do you get any of these?
http://www.pchell.com/hardware/beepcodes.shtml

InvariantLoop · 03-06-2005, 08:30 AM

I think your problem is the motherboard isnt getting enough power, check the cable from the PSU that powers the motherboard, remove it and plug it in again.

psychopath · 03-06-2005, 09:34 AM

>>Do you get any of these?<<
yes I do...i don't get a beep, which pretty much narrows it down to InvariantLoops suggestion, since iv'e done everything that bithub said except swap processors (because I don't have an extra)

-psychopath

Jez · 03-06-2005, 01:53 PM

No beep at all? That's bad.

However, I've had this before, it turned out that the edge of the mobo was shorted against the case. It's an idea anyway.

RoD · 03-06-2005, 04:29 PM

i find it interesting that no one has said ram, because next to the vid card its the next in line, especially for no beep no boot condition.

Misto · 03-07-2005, 01:20 AM

I would assume no video would show on the monitor if something is wrong with your memory sticks or if you don't have them installed properly. Just a thought....

bithub · 03-07-2005, 04:12 AM

Quote:

i find it interesting that no one has said ram, because next to the vid card its the next in line, especially for no beep no boot condition.

I'm pretty sure you will see initial POST screen regardless of RAM. I could be wrong here though.

Misto · 03-07-2005, 05:25 AM

Without RAM, what the hell does it have to swap memory with between the video card and the processor? That was the result of my motherboard when my memory wasn't installed.

RoD · 03-07-2005, 08:10 AM

Ram can cause a no power on condition, a hang condition, a full power no boot such as this, windows crashes, etc. I'm sure he'll find that if its not the video, its the ram.

ober · 03-07-2005, 09:33 AM

Actually, in this case, I'd tend to disagree with you RoD. With RAM issues, you normally get some sort of beep code. I'd suspect motherboard in this case, especially with no beep codes.

psychopath · 03-07-2005, 02:41 PM

Tried it again today. It was indeed the mobo (i think). Two points on the mobo began to glow orange from heat then "exploded". I diddn't notice anything the last time I was working with it. I think it might have been the processor though or the RAM though, but i'll never know untill I patch the blown spots on the board. (btw, anyone think strips of metal or a short copper wire could be used to patch the blown spots?? just asking before I do somthing stupid

)

-psychopath

03-05-2005, 09:00 PM	#1
psychopath The Right Honourable Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Where circles begin. Posts: 1,068	Computer not booting :( I tried to test an old ASUS P3B-F for a friend who can make use of it. Problem is, I can't get it to boot. Everything seems to power up ok, but I see nothing on the screen. Any ideas as to what could be wrong?? -psychopath __________________ Memorial University of Newfoundland Computer Science www.daniel-cook.net Mac and OpenGL evangelist.
psychopath is offline

03-05-2005, 09:04 PM	#2
bithub Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: California Posts: 3,020	Something is probably wrong with either the motherboard, video card, processor, power supply, or monitor. I'd swap out video cards first, since that is the easiest to check (and from my experience, the most likely cause of the problem).
bithub is offline

03-05-2005, 09:30 PM	#3
psychopath The Right Honourable Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Where circles begin. Posts: 1,068	i swaped video cards and moniters and power supply, so that leaves the processor and the board itself. The last time I used the board it worked perfectly. The processor worked to, and still works i think, because it heats up. -psychopath __________________ Memorial University of Newfoundland Computer Science www.daniel-cook.net Mac and OpenGL evangelist.
psychopath is offline

03-06-2005, 05:02 AM	#4
bithub Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: California Posts: 3,020	Well the fact the processor heats up doesn't mean it is working correctly. The only sure way to rule it out is if you have an extra one you can swap with. Make sure the CMOS jumper is in place (the one that clears the BIOS). I've seen some boards act pretty weird when it's missing. You can also check the motherboard battery. I'm not sure if a bad battery could cause this sort of problem, but it's worth a shot.
bithub is offline

03-06-2005, 05:51 AM	#5
Salem and the hat of Jobseeking Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: The edge of the known universe Posts: 21,689	Do you get any of these? http://www.pchell.com/hardware/beepcodes.shtml __________________ If you dance barefoot on the broken glass of undefined behaviour, you've got to expect the occasional cut.
Salem is offline

03-06-2005, 08:30 AM	#6
InvariantLoop Registered User Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 494	I think your problem is the motherboard isnt getting enough power, check the cable from the PSU that powers the motherboard, remove it and plug it in again. __________________ When no one helps you out. Call google();
InvariantLoop is offline

03-06-2005, 09:34 AM	#7
psychopath The Right Honourable Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Where circles begin. Posts: 1,068	>>Do you get any of these?<< yes I do...i don't get a beep, which pretty much narrows it down to InvariantLoops suggestion, since iv'e done everything that bithub said except swap processors (because I don't have an extra) -psychopath __________________ Memorial University of Newfoundland Computer Science www.daniel-cook.net Mac and OpenGL evangelist.
psychopath is offline

03-06-2005, 01:53 PM	#8
Jez The C-er Join Date: Mar 2004 Posts: 186	No beep at all? That's bad. However, I've had this before, it turned out that the edge of the mobo was shorted against the case. It's an idea anyway.
Jez is offline

03-06-2005, 04:29 PM	#9
RoD Banned Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 6,334	i find it interesting that no one has said ram, because next to the vid card its the next in line, especially for no beep no boot condition.
RoD is offline

03-07-2005, 01:20 AM	#10
Misto Is a Robot Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: In my apartment Posts: 7	I would assume no video would show on the monitor if something is wrong with your memory sticks or if you don't have them installed properly. Just a thought....
Misto is offline

03-07-2005, 05:25 AM	#12
Misto Is a Robot Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: In my apartment Posts: 7	Without RAM, what the hell does it have to swap memory with between the video card and the processor? That was the result of my motherboard when my memory wasn't installed.
Misto is offline

03-07-2005, 08:10 AM	#13
RoD Banned Join Date: Sep 2002 Posts: 6,334	Ram can cause a no power on condition, a hang condition, a full power no boot such as this, windows crashes, etc. I'm sure he'll find that if its not the video, its the ram.
RoD is offline

03-07-2005, 09:33 AM	#14
ober 5\|-\|1+\|-\|34\|) Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 4,429	Actually, in this case, I'd tend to disagree with you RoD. With RAM issues, you normally get some sort of beep code. I'd suspect motherboard in this case, especially with no beep codes.
ober is offline

03-07-2005, 02:41 PM	#15
psychopath The Right Honourable Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Where circles begin. Posts: 1,068	Tried it again today. It was indeed the mobo (i think). Two points on the mobo began to glow orange from heat then "exploded". I diddn't notice anything the last time I was working with it. I think it might have been the processor though or the RAM though, but i'll never know untill I patch the blown spots on the board. (btw, anyone think strips of metal or a short copper wire could be used to patch the blown spots?? just asking before I do somthing stupid ) -psychopath __________________ Memorial University of Newfoundland Computer Science www.daniel-cook.net Mac and OpenGL evangelist.
psychopath is offline

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