sister's computer won't bootup

R

Ry-00

Weaksauce
Joined
Feb 12, 2003
Messages
107
I need help to identity why me sister's computer won't bootup anymore. It was just fine yesterday until today she came back and her computer just shows a black screen. I thought a reset might work but it stilll wouldn't bootup anymore.

There is no beeping sound like before when i powerup the computer. I thought it was the PSU but the cpu, powersupply and motherboard fans still work except for the rear case fan, i dunno why though.

I tried some really basic stuff..

- clearing the CMOS
- putting slave HD as primary thinking primary HD is dead
- switch the power connector on the primary HD
- I rehooked all the fans + cpu connectors

The post codes on the Epox-8RDA3 mb says "FF" which according to the manual means Boot attempt (INT 19h).

I'm not sure what the problem is since it's late at night and i don't want to tamper around with it anymore. But i think it might be a dead cpu because the CPU heatsink is really cool to touch and is not warm at all.

I would like some advice on what should i do to minimize what is the problem. If it's either ram problem, cpu, video card or even a dead motherboard? All i know now is when i press power button the monitor just goes blank and the case HD activity light is constantly orange and the CD-ROM burner light is constantly green.

Thanks for any help.
 
Do you have a spare PSU you could hook up to it? I would try that first, if it doesn't boot with a different, know good, PSU then you can start digging deeper.
 
@Captain Colonoscopy, Nope i don't have a spare PSU. But could it still be the PSU even though it powers the CPU and motherboard fans?

I tried these basics today.. and still didnt work.

- took out battery leave it out and put it back in
- replugged all the power cables
- stripped down to CPU, video card, 1 memory still doesn't work no comp beep sound
- reinsert the video card
- re-seated the memory to another slot and memory is not burnt
- the capacitors are okay not burnt

Tomorrow i will try taking out motherboard and it might be the CPU :(

Any more advice
 
Yes it could still be the PSU, and you should get an el-cheapo PSU just for back-up and testing anyway. If you don't have the $, borrow one(PSU) from sombody.I would do this before I took out the motherboard.
 
The next step I would take would still be swapping the PSU. Just take the one out of your PC and hook it up to your sister's box. You don't have to remove the other one or anything, just plug it in and see if it boots. If it does then you've isolated the problem and know you need a new PSU.
 
After the power supply try - if your sister's cpu/memory/vid card/hard drive are compatible with your system (a known good system) try them in your system - see if they all work
It may be the motherboard - (it sounds like either the psu or the motherboard...)
double check and make sure nothing has shifted in her system and is now grounding the motherboard...
 
If all else fails, try picking up the case and shaking it vigorously for five minutes. I've found that can help me sometimes . . . . . . :p
 
my experience usually shows if a computer won't boot and gives no post codes... and it's not the powersupply it's usually the motherboard. goodluck.
 
I see you already stripped down you system, but make sure you reseat every card. You didn't say exactly what kind of computer your sister has but I was just fixing a friends dell the other day that wouldn't beep or anything and magically after reseating the video card it booted fine.

Other than that, my guess would be the cpu or motherboard. Anything else should let you at least post i think. Also, can you hear the hard drives spinning up?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top