OT: Which is broken?! (computer part)

[Ruatha]

I've had plenty of MoBo's giving beeps without a CPU or with the CPU placed the wrong way( 486sx and it did work when I turned it 90 degrees, didn't know it was possible to put it wrong!)

So my guess is atleast the MoBo..

As you've tried it with another graphic card as you've stated, I don't think it's the video card AT!

[Thermodyne]

Fans spin and no drive activity or post activity is usually RAM. Pull the drives and do a hard reset on the CMOS. Then try to boot it from a floppy. If it still just sits there, then try a stick of ram.

[Gryphin]

I have to go with the RAM theory (and it is the cheapest to test).
Not so sure. I just took the RAM out of a system and still got beep code.
I think I have to go with the processor issue. I doubt it is the temp as it is cool at time of boot. Try removing the chip and replacing it

[ August 03, 2004, 12:53: Message edited by: Gryphin ]

[Roanon]

I have a deep distrust in MSI mobos... As Ruatha has mentioned, no beeps at all is the bad sign hinting for a dead mobo.

First check: fans spinning? -> power supply ok, no shortcircuit on mobo (or stuck reset key, I had this one once too), fine.

Second: the mobo should do a number of beeps while checking the most basic things like cpu, memory, video card. In this case, number of beeps gives you the damaged part.
(Unless its an modern EPOX mainboard, which have a 2-digit display onboard displaying in hex the status while booting up, thus giving a hex code for the error at the point of failure. What luxury - I have come to hate counting numerous too-short beeps and probably even riddling about if it has been a long or short beep. Guess what Boards I currently prefer )

If no beeps at all (speaker properly connected?) -> mobo does not even start properly with its BIOS. To make sure remove everything including RAM and CPU, try again. No beeps -> trash the mobo. You could try resuscitation, exert some moderate pressure on various parts of the mobo, especially on all socketed components, loosen the screws a bit - maybe its a hairline crack that fixes itself (hopefully for some time). But thats extreme luck if it should work.

[Thermodyne]

Originally posted by Gryphin:
I have to go with the RAM theory (and it is the cheapest to test).
Not so sure. I just took the RAM out of a system and still got beep code.
I think I have to go with the processor issue. I doubt it is the temp as it is cool at time of boot. Try removing the chip and replacing it

It depends on the make of the bios software. That board should have an AMI bios. Bad or wrong ram = no beeps.

Other than the old swap it out testing, there is a device called a Post Card that will let you run AMI's CheckPoint software.

[Suicide Junkie]

Also, if you have more than one stick, try them individually.
If it works with just one, then at least you know nothing else is broken besides either the second stick of RAM or the connector.

[tesco samoa]

you and i have the same problem...

For me it is the cpu...

For you it could either be the cpu or the motherboard... i am leaning cpu...

i am hampered as well.... as i need to get it running but i will need to get a new cpu, mobo and memory... i replaced power and video card.

no errors in os...

no errors written to post logs

Some times it will run for 2 weeks

some times it will run 1 minute freeze and will not let me back in for a week...

Checked for heat problems as well... 3 fans plus 3 fans on the video card, sound card and one cpu fan...

From researching this most people tend to replace the cpu and motherboard at the same time... if they are old .


my mobo is intel with a p4 2 gig on it ....