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Computer dead...no video output. Ideas?

J

jag0

Limp Gawd
Joined
Aug 9, 2005
Messages
308
Hey guys...

So I recently went to go check out a friend's computer that just recently started giving him problems. First, here are the specs:

- ASUS A8V
- Athlon 64 3000+
- 2GB (4 x 512MB) Corsair ValueSelect DDR-400
-Geforce 6800 w/ 128MB

So maybe 2 weeks ago or so he recently upgraded his memory with another 1GB (2 x 512MB) sticks of RAM and everything seemed to work fine (according to him.) Then about a week ago or so he got a "hardware failure" error when the machine booted up (in the BIOS) as well as a clicking noise (which was actually his main 120GB drive failing...which is now dead.)

So I come over to check it out...I hear the clicking & I unplug the drive. Next I double check all the connections going to and from the motherboard...everything seemed to be fine.

When I boot up the machine...I hear the usual beeps and stuff but no video is being output to the monitor when it was just working shortly before the "hardware failure" notice. At the time I couldn't do a full check b/c I didn't have my PSU tester, spare video cards, etc. so as of right now I'm not sure what it could be.

Anyone have any ideas as to what this problem might be caused by? :confused:
 
sounds like it could be a power supply issue. Did you also check to see that your friend has the memory and video card seated correctly?
 
Yeap, I took out all the add-on cards (RAM, video card, sound card, etc.) and put then back in. No dice...
 
Break it down to a barebone setup with the mobo on your desk, on top of its cardboard box. Plug in only the essentials and see if it will POST (don't plug any drives in). If so, its a PSU problem. If not, pull out the RAM and listen for error beeps (make sure a system speaker is plugged in or there's an onboard speaker/buzzer). If none, pull the vidcard and listen for error beeps. If none, its probably the board or CPU.

You could also jump start the PSU for a simple test. To test further, get a multimeter or PSU tester. What PSU is it? Adding 2 more sticks requires a tiny bit more power... and if that tiny bit was more than the PSU could handle, its performance would fade over time. I doubt its the PSU, but its something thats easily tested by borrowing yours or another spare.

Do you have another vidcard you could test with? One that isn't as power hungry as the 6800? lol.
 
I can't remember off the top of my head what kind of PSU it is but I'm pretty sure it is in the 500W range so it should be more then enough power for his system. He only has the CPU w/ stock cooler, (2) optical drives, (2) HDDs, Video card, Augidy 2 ZS sound card & USB/Firewire bracket.

As for the PSU tester...like I said (if you read the original post :rolleyes:) I didn't have it with me at the time b/c at the time it was still at least posting the BIOS info.

I'll be going back in a day or so to check it out and I'll be taking my PSU tester & spare low-end video card (an old Geforce MX card.)
 
I forgot who has this in their sig, but its true...

Not all 500W PSUs are made equal.
 
Very true...I do know for sure that his PSU is either from Thermaltake, Antec or Enermax (I think.) It's not some cheapo one that came with the case or anything.
 
I'd have to go w/ the side of PSU having two hardware failures in a couple of weeks.... not likely!
 
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