New computer problems, need help.

[CaptJordus]

So, my mom had this HP computer.

One day it started getting random reboots, as it became more frequent. Finally when you turn the PC on it would power up as far as the fans, LAN activity LED, front lights, etc. However it would show no activity on the monitor and no beeps or anything. My guess was the motherboard died. So i order a new motherboard and case (with PSU) and it arrives. Install everything as needed and guess what? same thing. Allthe fans and LEDs start as supposed to but nothing on the monitor, and the new case doesnt have a case speaker so i dunno if its beeping or not. So, now i think its the CPU. I order a new Celeron and stick it in. SAME THING! So i RMA that motherboard and get another. Same ****ing thing. This is starting to **** me off.

I have used a Geforce 4 AGP
ATI 9200 PCI
and onboard graphics

on EACH motherboard, and still no monitor activity.

NOTHING on this PC is original from the HP except the cd-rom, and i think its unlikely that its causing the problem.

Ive even tried replacing the RAM with known good RAM, from my own computer (yes it was compatible) and nothing. So thats out.

I tried hooking up 4 different monitors, again nothing.

Im pretty much at a loss for ideas at this point.....so if you know anything to try let me know :-/


(Note: Im not trying to play BF2 with a celeron and a Geforce 4, this PC is solely for browsing the internet as a seperate node in my house, so dont post non educated crap about how this will never play BF2, i know it wont).

[farty_mcrablice]

Re: New computer problems, need help.

First of all, hook up a system speaker to the board. It might beep and give you a clue as to the problem. I've had frustrating problems like this more than once. It always ended up being a DOA new part, or multiple problems all at once, requiring mixing and matching of components to identify the real problem.

[CaptJordus]

Re: New computer problems, need help.

I dont have a spare speaker lying around.

Can i hook up an LED or a current tester bulb and get like....5 flashes for 5 beeps?

:laugh:

[TokenBrit]

Re: New computer problems, need help.

Dead hard drive? Try booting from the Windows CD.

[farty_mcrablice]

Re: New computer problems, need help.

Dead hard drive? Try booting from the Windows CD.

A dead hard drive would have absolutely nothing to do with the board not posting and/or a lack of video output.

[Painl3ss.NL]

Re: New computer problems, need help.

Faulty ram? Not sure if it would be able to post something if the ram is not working. Also I never had ram that stopped working completely. You seemed to have tried most everything else.
1 cpu
2 graphics card
3 motherboard
4.PSU
5.Harddisk doesn't come into play yet.

There's not much left:
- RAM
- monitor (wouldn't explain previous crashes)
- keyboard connection (grasping at straws here)

[Heavy552 AWG]

Re: New computer problems, need help.

What about the CMOS battery?

[megawhompertoo]

Re: New computer problems, need help.

Gosh. That's a bummer.

Sherlock Holmes said that once you eliminate the impossibilities then whatever is left, however improbable, is the solution

Therefore, your monitor cable must be bad.


??


Maybe?

[RAF92_Warhawk]

Re: New computer problems, need help.

This happened to me just a few weeks ago..... I'd hit the power button but absolutely nothing would happen... However in my case, purchasing a new motherboard, RAM, and processor fixed the problem..... I have no idea what in the world could possibly be wrong with yours since you already tried replacing numerous parts...

[SMeeD]

Re: New computer problems, need help.

Grounding? Ive never experienced it myself but it stops machines from booting. How the incident gets worse puzzles me though.

Ive had bad wall sockets mess with machines before I moved to a new socket and it was fine, its a long shot but if your out of ideas its worth a shot.

Try looking up the boot code an compare it with the light blinks you got.

[farty_mcrablice]

Re: New computer problems, need help.

Have you tried booting it with nothing but the motherboard, ram, and processor? If it will boot, you can start adding components until you identify the culprit. Also, try booting it without putting anything in the case. That way you can rule out installation/grounding issues. Short of that, not sure what to tell you. You've replaced everything....