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Computer won't load up past POST screen

L

Lawler

Weaksauce
Joined
Feb 18, 2005
Messages
120
Hey,
Last night I was reformatting and installing Windows on my computer, everything went fine but when I restarted the computer wouldn't load past the motherboard boot screen. I restarted and tried again but no different. I can switch to POST but it hangs on identifying IDE drives. I can't access BIOS. I tried resetting the CMOS and I took out and replaced the CMOS battery but nothing new happened. I also tried booting up with a different hard drive but that didnt work. My guess is that the motherboard fried somehow (when I switch off the hard drive it makes a peculiar electronic zapping noise (i heard this sound before when my old power supply died on me) ) Is there anything i can do to possibly advert having to RMA or replace the motherboard / is it possibly something else?

Thanks a lot,
Lawler

PC Specs:
MSI K8N Neo2 Platinum
AMD A64 3500+
1gb Kingston PC4000
ATI Radeon 9600pro
 
What type of hard drive is it? SATA, PATA? Also, do you have the jumpers set correctly?
 
They are both PATA drives (WD 120gb and a Seagate 160gb), I know the WD is set for master, but i don't think I changed the seagate to master when i tried it alone. I'm pretty sure the Seagate is set on the option where its status is determined by the cable (if thats an option, otherwise its set as slave)... ill go try that out.
 
I just changed the jumper settings on the backup hd to master, and disconnected the other hd and tried to boot it up, still wont go past the motherboard boot screen.... ahhh
 
It still wont go past the motherboard boot screen... is there anything else i can do? im going to try resetting the cmos and stuff again but i dont think that will help? any ideas anyone?
 
ahhhh!

so i tried resetting the cmos... left the battery out for 15 minutes, flipped the jumper... turned it back on... stays put at the boot screen. So i tried the memory... took 1 stick out, nothing, switched sticks.... monitor wont come on. went back to normal, monitor still wont come on... help please!!!!
 
sounds like your board is waiting for an IDE timeout to occur. This is usually set to 120+seconds. I've had the board that you are working with, but have sold it, as of several months ago, so I cannot recall where the IDE timout setting is. My suggestion would be to make sure th jumpers are correct (or try setting them both to cable select) on the HDDs. Also, disconnect any opticals, to rule them out. When the machine boots, and you get POST, press the DEL key until the PC speaker starts beeping at you repeatedly...then wait. Once IDE timeout occurs, it should go into BIOS. The crackling noise concerns me, and it is likely your PSU. You may be better served to remove the system from the case, and visually inspect all of your components (and not just a quick glance). You'll be looking for a leaking capacitor, or signs of electrical burn marks. If you see a blown capacitor, or burn marks, RMA whatever has them (if still under warranty). If you do get into BIOS, go into the Standard (or first, cannot recall the exact nomenclature used by MSI BIOS) settings, where the IDE drives are listed. If any of the drives have symbols or an exceptionally long string as the model identifier, it is likely that the drive controller (the PCB that is on the drive, itself) is toasted. PM me if you need more help, or my information was useless.
 
Thanks for the advice,
I somehow managed to get the monitor back up and running... I unplugged all the optical devices, took out all my addon cards [sound, wireless, pvr] and im now only running the video card, both hds (both on cable select), and the motherboard + cpu.

Now the computer boots up, goes to the msi splash screen... sits there... i can still access POST but i cant get into boot menu or the bios menu or anything... it just sits there... I think ive reset the cmos more times than i can count... now its just being a pain in the neck sitting there. Any more suggestions / ideas? As much as i want to upgrade to AM2 / a new processor set... i dont feel like spending 300+ on stuff when i need to buy a laptop soon and its too early for me to buy a laptop... ahhh stupid computer:mad: help please!

Lawler
 
Set a minimum of one drive to something. Having both on cable select will drive your pc mad in choosing which one to use.
 
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