OT: Which is broken?! (computer part)

[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 ....

[Instar]

Well, uh, I tried messing around with different parts today. I removed everything but the RAM, CPU, mobo, PSU, and DVD ROM (I was planning to boot off of a dynebolic linux CD) but when I powered up, I heard something not so good. An loud pop sound occurred, and I cut the power in a heartbeat. I think the mobo just bit the big one.
I did at one point (a while back) removing one of the sticks of RAM (and swapped them), but still no POST or even beep code. New parts will be here Thursday (ordered off of NewEgg with 2 day Fedex):
Aspire 520W PSU (black housing, 3 fans, and blue LEDs!)
AOpen AX4C Max II mobo
eVGA GF 6800
1 gig DDR 400
74 gig WD Raptor 10000 RPM SATA
Yeah, it should be sweet once I re-use my old 80 gig drive and optical drives along with the old SoundBLaster.

[Loser]

I knew you wanted to upgrade. We all do.

Especially with Doom 3 already available in some stores.

[ August 04, 2004, 00:28: Message edited by: Loser ]

[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 ]

[se5a]

take it in to your nearest frenly computer retailer. mine checks them for free
actualy they fell overthemselfs to help, I guess that could be cause it was a fairly hot piece of HW and they want me to buy from them next time

[tesco samoa]

yea it has been frustrating at home with the computer problems...

i miss irc...

i am late with turns and well it just sucks


nov will be here soon... then i upgrade

[psimancer]

i spent 5 yearzs working on computrers in my own shop

what i would have suggested would be to jumper the motherboard power supply connector (while not connected to your motherboard ) and thenm to verify the correct voltage of each of the wires as usually the symptoms you have described have proven in my experience to be a weak powersupply usually meaning something was about to go out
not being a electrical tech (my father was the one who did that he fixed monitors and powersupplies at the component level) i usually turned it over to him however learning basics from him i have discovered that a power supply can provide power but as it ages its ability to provide the correct wattage diminishes then usually a capacitor in the powwer supply goes out and it wont start up again

classic symptoms of a power supply with this problem
computer will get to post but will not finish just quits
disconnecting power to one or more drives (usually cdrom or extra harddrives ) will reduce the load enough to permit booting
eventually the power supply will quit entirely usually quietly
sometimes with a pop (a capacitor blows its top most times )


ps the day they make a capacitor that can Last more than 20 years in continous on off usage we might actually have a shot at making outstanding quality electronics