PC gone under... again.

richjs

richjs

richjs

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14 Jan 2007
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Sad to say that my great luck has continued (never being able to run a PC for more than a couple of months before something breaks), but I'm unsure how best to rectify this.

When I start up my PC it powers up, the HDD, fans etc spin + the case light stays illuminated... this is as far as it gets. I cannot even get it to post to bios.

Previous to this I had some problems with System 32 - tried with a different harddrive and it rebooted during windows install (so it wasn't the drive) and rectified the problem by removing one of the sticks of RAM (which I assumed was faulty - either that or the motherboard slot is).

As I assumed the RAM was the problem and I ordered 2gb more of the OCZ platinum I had. I then turned off, powered down, put in the RAM and....

now, regardless of what RAM i use (new or the old one that worked) it never goes past the problem outlined above.

I'm at a loose end - I find it extremely hard to believe that the second set of RAM (or even the first following the renewed troubles) if faulty as I've tried every single stick in every slot.
I've taken the whole system apart and reseated the CPU and still no luck.
I've tried an old graphics card so I'm ruling that out.
I've reset the CMOS multiple times.

The power supply is a Corsair 650TX (month or two old) and I'm only running a stock 6300 and a 8800GTS.

Everything I've read / guessed points to the motherboard, but I can't afford to replace the motherboard only to find it isn't the problem. Similarly, the second most likely problem is the CPU.

PS. Unfortunately no one I know who has a compatible PC is willing to let me take it apart and stea
l / test parts.

Sorry for the wall of text, much appreciated as always;

Rich
 
Have you tried setting it up outside the case? May sound strange but when I got to the same stage as you, I pulled everything out and It worked outside the case.

Even if it doesnt work, it makes it easier to try different parts.
 
I use a dual screen setup, and have tried both in it, and am currently running both on my old PC (which I'm posting from).

The biggest tell is that it starts, but instead of the HDD light flashing briefly, it stays on constantly (but this was the same when I tested it with another drive)

Edit: TY for the speedy replies. It's just aggrevating as I've just finished taking my exams and all I want to do is be able to have a game, relax etc, but this PC is so old/choppy/slow - it's infuriating.

Edit: I'll try outside of the case now - is it fine to leave them on wood whilst running?
 
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No luck running it outside the case.

It has however made me realise the GPU fan is running faster than normal (any significance)?
 
no, the fans tend to run fast on startup until they get to post, you'll prob notice it more now when you do get it up and running. It could be mobo or it could be PSU, it may of failed, when I did my last build I had same symptoms, tho it was from scratch not after a month or two, and it turned out to be faulty PSU. If you can get any of your mates to help I'd suggest you try buying a cheap 2nd hand mobo and/or PSU from somewhere see if they'll work, if so you know whats wrong and can spend the money getting a decent replacement. Your only other option would be to take it into a shop for repair but I think they charge you through the nose before they even start
 
I'd try and get hold of a new PSU and try that - i was playing around with some old hardware over the weekend, and as soon as I turned it on all the fans would spin, but it wouldn't boot. Swapped over the PSU and it worked fine.
 
you say you have tried every stick in every slot, but have you tried it with just 1 stick?
Then if you can get into bios and check the ram voltages and timings?
 
There appears to be a bad batch of Corsair PSUs going around at the moment. I can't recall any complaints about them before November, but recently it's been all "MAH PC IS EXPLODED" on one side and "MAH PC WON'T POST" on the other.

Contact the OcUK support lot if you bought it from here.

- Huw
 
Update: when I connect the PSU to the mains for the first time, then turn the PSU switch on, there is a visible spark - bad mmkay?
Edit: infact it isn't every time, but quite visible when it happens.

I dont suppose anyone around guildford/surrey has a PSU I can borrow / purchase to test this out?

@Huw: Unfortunately I didn't
 
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Everything lights up and powers up but there is no boot/POST? Doesn't sound like PSU to me if I'm honest. Also with regards to the "spark", it may be buggered or it may not. I have had an old 300w PSU on a friends machine I replaced becuase it wouldn't boot and the PSU made some horrible buzzing/static noises when it was on - but was actually working fine and it turned out it was the MOBO that was fried :)

If you think it's your CPU, take it out and try and boot up and see if you get the warning beeps. If yes or if no will give you a good indication.

I'd say that this is almost 100% your motherboard as in my experience and past luck, it's always been the thing to go wrong!
 
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The spark hasnt happened for a while now, I'm thinking i mightve left the PSU unit on when i connected the mains and there was a quick spark or something.
 
Ok, so I started it up without the CPU / the card and there were no beeps.

Does it have its own beeper on the mobo, or do i need to attack the case speaker?

Edit: connected the case speaker and still nothing. Does this indicate its 100% the mobo? or might the PSU still be at fault?
 
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No mate, your mobo internal speaker should beep if things aren't installed correctly/not there at all. To warn you basically.

If it does nothing without the CPU in, try putting the CPU in and taking the RAM out. It will do a similar beeping thing if there is no RAM when you try and power on.

If no beep when no RAM, your MOBO is shagged for sure imo, because it's not registering anything wrong/not there.
 
Assuming it doesnt work without the RAM, can I be sure enough that it is the motherboard as to RMA it?

Edit: without the RAM, no beeps + exactly the same...

Got my second spark, unplugging the PSU, and have no idea what to do. Might just start from scratch as this system has given me so much trouble throughout the years i really cant justify this time wasting being worth it.

Edit: If I did choose to do this, would I be able to get anything for the parts I currently have on MM (assuming I tested them all to a degree in the new system - isolated the problem - and removed it.
 
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Regards to the motherboard doing anything when the RAM is out, I'd say it has deffinatley bitten the dust. It's got power running through it but no output. The lights are on but no one's home in another words. I highly doubt your CPU and RAM are broken and even then if there is something wrong with a part the motherboard generally alarms to let you know :)

No alarm, does nothing = dead mobo. I'd be 99% sure of this from what you have said so far but I'm not there to test it with other parts to be 100 I'm sure you understand.

With regards to the MM no idea mate, you'd have to try your luck and see whilst being honest with all the parts and giving them a good test and get rid of the bad part.

Good luck and let us know what happens with CPU in, RAM out!


Edit:- Replacing the dead mobo will be a lot cheaper and time saver than replacing the whole thing I'd say!
 
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