Troubleshooting Computer

[sizziler]

Need advice from computer builders. I have a computer here that is not turning on. I can hear the power supply start but no reaction on the monitor(says check cable connection to monitor). I believe it is the mother board that is shot but I do not know how to tell. Thought some troubleshooting questions should help me to tell.

If the CPU is the problem and it is shot, would I still be able to turn on the computer and see the motherboard start up screen and get into the BIOS and all?
Same for the RAM?

If I should see the start up screen and get to the BIOS, shouldn't that mean that since I cannot see the start up screen and BIOS that it is definitely the mother board that is shot right now?

 

[djk]

Do you hear any beeps?

If so, that's your BIOS telling you something is wrong.

http://www.pchell.com/hardware/beepcodes.shtml
http://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm

If you don't, don't worry. I doubt it's a RAM issue. Most RAM issues will either result in your PC being extremely unstable (I know it's hard to tell with Windows) or you'll get some warning before Windows initializes and you'll be prompted to hit F12 to proceed with booting.

If you have another computer, hook up your monitor to it. If you can do video out fine, it's not the monitor or cable. I'd go with either the motherboard (if you have integrated graphics) or video card.

See here for more info - http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&...puter,+no+monitor&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=

 

[sizziler]

Forgot the beeps. No beeps. Using onboard graphics, so no video card. Working with a Shuttle XPC.
With the computer on and my laptop on too, I would get a signal with my laptop but once I plug it into the computer, the monitor says check the cable connection.
Going to take it to a neighbour to try their CRT monitor soon.

 

[vavog]

Could be power supply as well. Open case and see if there's a little light on the motherboard (50/50 chance there's a light). Make sure you have a speaker connected to the motherboard cause the beeps are very important. If power supply good and motherboard good, you'll get beeps telling you the issues. If no beeps, its motherboard or power supply. Arn't computers great!

 

[Cassini]

Pull every power supply connector inside the PC, except the ones to the motherboard. Disconnect every add-in card. Connect the speaker, if it is not connected already. See if you get video on boot.

If you don't get video, replace the PC. It probably isn't worth it to fix.

If you want to keep debugging, replace the power supply, then the motherboard. The issues are:
1. If the motherboard is broken, it may or may not be because of a bad power supply. A bad power supply can break new motherboards, and power supplies are cheaper than motherboards. As such, replace the power supply first.
2. If the motherboard is the problem, it might be the CPU, motherboard or RAM. A broken motherboard can break CPUs. As such, replace the motherboard first. The challenge is that the new motherboard may need to support the older CPU, and a new motherboard for old CPU and RAM may be difficult to find. In fact, it may be more expensive than purchasing a new CPU, motherboard and RAM.

As such, if it is an older PC, start over with a new Power Supply, CPU, RAM, and motherboard. That way, you know everything works.

 

[onehunglow]

Just worked on a system today with the same problem.

No beeps on startup. HD just a humming. No capacitors popped. Power supply OK. Everything looked good but no video. Monitor checked out as well. Customer said they put in some new ram. Pulled the ram and reset it. Bingo, all worked well.

Lots of good advice here. Check it all out.

 

[Cassini]

Pulled the ram and reset it.

Pulling out and reseating memory, connectors, and even CPUs often reveals many problems, and fixes a few. It is why skilled repair people often wiggle connectors to see what happens.