System Help! Computer Won't boot

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Kenrin

n00b
Joined
Sep 26, 2004
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46
This is a really old system, Asus A8N-SLI 3800+ DC socket 754. I went on vacation back home for the summer and left it here off (it is usually on 24/7).

It will not boot now, I get one post beep, and the screen has the main processor: athlon 3800+ yada yada. and at the bottom the usual DEL to enter bios f8 to enter boot menu. It looks like it is freezing before the memory check or something. I can't get into the BIOS at all. I've tried resetting CMOS and changing around ram slots and even using only one stick. I have also tried unplugging all SATA hard-drives.

Any ideas?
 
Kenrin said:
This is a really old system, Asus A8N-SLI 3800+ DC socket 754. I went on vacation back home for the summer and left it here off (it is usually on 24/7).

It will not boot now, I get one post beep, and the screen has the main processor: athlon 3800+ yada yada. and at the bottom the usual DEL to enter bios f8 to enter boot menu. It looks like it is freezing before the memory check or something. I can't get into the BIOS at all. I've tried resetting CMOS and changing around ram slots and even using only one stick. I have also tried unplugging all SATA hard-drives.

Any ideas?
Click to expand...

Was it plugged into a ups? Maybe there was a t-storm in the area that knocked it out. Since you already reset cmos, check that everything is configured properly there, then try a bootable cd-rom only without the hard drive, like xp, see if you get that far, then try booting with the hard drive only, no other hardware. If not, i would try different ram and resetting the cpu and check that everything on the mainboard is properly connected.
 
the computer was off the entire time and no power cord was in. all i can think of is some component is going bad, it is an old comp that i use for a server after all.

Everything is connected and it does the same with different ram. I'll switch out the video card tomorrow and see if that helps, if not... well i'd hate to have to take out the PSU on my gaming rig to test but If i'm out of options I will.

Stupid comps should give diagnostic messages :mad:

EDIT-

Would dust cause any problems? I had to spray it out a TON. it was sitting off for 2 months after all.

EDIT2-

the heatsink is not even getting hot like it usually is. Is this normal? Are they supposed to get hot sitting at the bios splash screen.. all the other components are hot.
 
Check the little backup battery on the motherboard. Though it should not be necessary for this battery to be good when plugged in to wall power, I've seen stranger problems caused by a bad backup battery.

No, the CPU should not get hot sitting in BIOS. Warm, yes.
 
Alright, After digging online for an hour I think i found the problem!!

If anyone is curious here is the thread I found- http://forums.pcper.com/showthread.php?t=446707

I have an external usb hard drive hooked up to this computer that was not powered on apparently causing it to lock up in HDD Detection. I did not even think about unhooking all of my usb items as i only turn this external drive on when I need to use it and it has never not been able to boot before.

Thanks for all your suggestions!
 
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