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Trouble with old school PC

T

thegermankid

n00b
Joined
Jan 10, 2008
Messages
21
Hi, I have encountered a problem with a friends PC. It is a AGP, Socket A, DDR1 setup. The PC turns on but nothing happens (no picture/no beep).:eek:

This is what I tried:
  • 2 different video cards (both worked on this PC before, but I'm currently not able to test functionality)
  • 3 different PSUs (250W, 300W, 550W)
  • 3 different CPUs (Duron 800MHz, Athlon 1200+, Athlon XP 2200+)
  • 2 different sets of RAM (both worked on another station)

I problem is that AFTER I bought a used mainboard, I encountered the exact same problem (not booting). So now I have the same symptom on a different mainboard. Does anyone have an idea what I should try next? Please don't tell me to throw it away (I tend to myself :D). I'm looking for some helpful comments.

Thanks,
Ric
 
Remove the backup battery and clear CMOS before you try to turn it on for the first time?
 
I just cleared the BIOS (switched the jumper) before I tried it...Why remove the battery? But I actually tried that on the old board but no difference. I didn't remove the battery at the first try.
 
This may sound stupid, but have you checked the case itself for any unused motherboard standoffs or loose screws? Something out of place behind the motherboard may produce a short.

You may also want to replace the CMOS battery as an insurance measure (instead of removing, and then reattaching, it).
 
Ok, I will actually install the whole thing into a different case. About the battery, shouldn't it work when you turn it on tho? I mean just to test the system and at least get a picture (even without the battery).
 
:eek: I just remembered, there was one unused motherboard standoff I know off. That might actually be the problem. Didn't think about if when I installed it. Thanks for all your suggestions, I'll try this ASAP when I get home. ;)
 
Naw, an unused standoff shouldn't prevent the board from working.

My previous computer was a "AGP, Socket A, DDR1" build as well. If I overclocked it too far, it would power on (fans would spin and lights would come on) but it would never make it to the POST stage and it would not issue that reassuring beep.

The only solution was to remove the backup battery AND clear CMOS using the jumper.
 
Without the CMOS battery, you won't be able to save your BIOS configurations. On some systems, you won't even get past the BIOS screen without one. Most CMOS batteries (which, I believe are CR2032 batteries) normally last the entire lifespan of the comptuer system, but they can go bad just as easily as any other component. Since I'm not 100% sure as to what's wrong with your system, I recommend getting a new one as a troubleshooting method. (You can normally find one for around $5 each, so it's not like it's going to kill you just to replace it.)
 
I know i cant save BIOS settings but shouldnt it start, no matter if a battery is installed or not?
 
thegermankid said:
I know i cant save BIOS settings but shouldnt it start, no matter if a battery is installed or not?
Click to expand...

I can't tell you; it should start, but it possibly won't, without a CMOS battery.

But since the CMOS battery saves your BIOS settings, you should keep it in place. All I'm suggesting is that you get a new replacement battery as a precaution.

However, I believe that you may be producing a short inside your case, hence my first post.
 
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