PC Won't Start?

Stuff · 31 Oct 2009 at 18:59

PC Won't Start? *FIXED*

Problem solved now, thanks

Hey,

Just got back from holiday... Replugged my computer into the wall, turned it on, and it won't POST... It beeps continuously, 3 small beeps at a time. The motherboard I have is a Gigabyte GA-EP31-DS3L and the user-guide says the beeping means a graphics problem for short beeps, and a power problem for longs beeps, but I don't really know what a short or long beep sounds like

I'd guess it was a short one though.

The keyboard and mouse doesn't come on at all (No lights etc) and the monitor has power, but doesn't respond when the PC is turned on.

Was working perfectly when I left, so any ideas? Is there a chance it could be too cold at all, as the house has been empty with the heating off for a week...?

Thanks in advance

shinester184 · 31 Oct 2009 at 19:06

Remove CMOS battery for 10 mins, replace and power back up.

EsaT · 31 Oct 2009 at 19:22

Well... at least PSU is starting up as boot proceeds to part where BIOS starts checking components.

You could try re-seating graphics card.

Camelpaw said:
Is there a chance it could be too cold at all, as the house has been empty with the heating off for a week...?

Ready to fail capacitors would be sensitive to too cold temperature.

Stuff · 31 Oct 2009 at 19:41

shinester184 said:
Remove CMOS battery for 10 mins, replace and power back up.

No luck.

EsaT said:
Well... at least PSU is starting up as boot proceeds to part where BIOS starts checking components.

You could try re-seating graphics card.

Ready to fail capacitors would be sensitive to too cold temperature.

Again, no luck. I doubt they would fail in an empty house for a week though? I know its England, but it's not that cold, is it?!

shinester184 · 31 Oct 2009 at 20:45

Have you re-checked all power connections?

I'd laugh if something like a mouse had got into your case and eaten through a couple of wires whilst you were away!

Stuff · 31 Oct 2009 at 20:48

shinester184 said:
Have you re-checked all power connections?

I'd laugh if something like a mouse had got into your case and eaten through a couple of wires whilst you were away!

Ha, no chance, but I could imagine it being something really stupid!

Found the problem now though, it seems to be a loose RAM module, not pressed in ever so slightly.

Thanks for the advice anyway guys

EsaT · 31 Oct 2009 at 20:57

Camelpaw said:
Again, no luck. I doubt they would fail in an empty house for a week though? I know its England, but it's not that cold, is it?!

Yeah, UK being surrounded by sea inhibits real cold temperatures. (ground is finally drying up here... because it froze)
Actually electrolyte capacitors age/loose their electrolyte slower at lower temperatures but capacitor which is at the edge of failing works better when warm and in critical place it could work only for as long as device stayed warm.
If you ever saw old CRT having misaligned/-sized image which recovered by itself in few minutes after turning CRT on that was failing caps.