Computer Won't Post

[Ray2047]

I woke up to a dead monitor about three days ago. Subsequently I found it was really no video signal. Tried lots of things including changing the video card. No luck, didn't even get a beep let alone a post screen. Eventually reset the CMOS and I again had it working.

Well I had it setup and was using it for about two hours when the screen froze. Alt+F4 didn't work. Xkill didn't work. Ctrl + Alt reisub didn't work. Ctrl+Alt+F2 didn't work. Ctrl+alt+backspace didn't work. Did a hard shut down. Now it won't post. Tried to reset CMOS by jumping the pins and by pulling the battery. It didn't work this time. Fans are on, drives are lighting up.

The PSU, CPU, memory, and MB are only about six months old. I didn't see any obviously swollen caps on the MB. What do I try?

Thanks in advance.

[MGBguy]

In my experience most wonky hardware issues go back to a defective PSU. If you can swap out the power supply, I would start there.
Just because your fans are running does not mean that your PSU is providing proper voltages.
One of the best investments I've ever made was a plug-in PSU tester. If you have a multimeter you can check the outputs that way.

Basic troubleshooting would also have you start by verifying that the CPU and fan are installed correctly with adequate thermal protection and that all connections are tight.
Start with one memory module firmly installed and try to post. Some motherboards don't even have a speaker installed to let you hear post beeps.

For the home builder it really is about being systematic in checking components and it can be frustrating; especially if one is dealing with defective parts.

Consider your dilemma a learning experience. I'm rootin' for ya. 

[Rudge]

I woke up to a dead monitor about three days ago. Subsequently I found it was really no video signal. Tried lots of things including changing the video card. No luck, didn't even get a beep let alone a post screen. Eventually reset the CMOS and I again had it working.

Well I had it setup and was using it for about two hours when the screen froze. Alt+F4 didn't work. Xkill didn't work. Ctrl + Alt reisub didn't work. Ctrl+Alt+F2 didn't work. Ctrl+alt+backspace didn't work. Did a hard shut down. Now it won't post. Tried to reset CMOS by jumping the pins and by pulling the battery. It didn't work this time. Fans are on, drives are lighting up.

The PSU, CPU, memory, and MB are only about six months old. I didn't see any obviously swollen caps on the MB. What do I try?

Thanks in advance.

Remove all the hardware and see if the MB will pass post on it's own. If it will, start adding hardware one at a time until it fails post. Replace that hardware.  

If it fails post with no hardware attached, good luck.  

[ThirdOfSix]

I just have to ask since you did not really say.

Did you check the voltage on the battery? Or, better yet did you try a new one.

Sometimes "new" motherboards that were produced some time ago, have batteries that were installed when the board was made and can be nearly dead when someone eventually buys the board.

Try pulling the memory boards and see if you get a normal no memory beep code when you power it up.

Also, be certain that you have done an actual cold boot. Unplug the power cord for a few minutes before booting.

At least one of my machines goes into an odd state on a momentary power disturbance  and the machine does not do an actual reset of ALL parameters until it is powered down completely. Shutting down with the power switch does not do it.

[Ray2047]

Thank you for the suggestions. I will try them tomorrow.

[Ray2047]

UPdate. Tried booting with nothing, not even memory and no beeps so for now I'm going on the theory the MB isn't beeping even though I have the case speaker hooked up. I'm ignoring lack of beeps as a diagnostic. I have it up and booted with just a keyboard (no mouse) DVD and on-board video. I think I will just leave it on for 24 hours and see what happens.

Interesting side note my backup computer wouldn't post with the HD from the problem computer plugged in. That will need more research. I only tried once. While the backup computer isn't SATA friendly (too old) I have used a SATA drive in the past with a PCI card so maybe my hard drive on the problem computer is bad.

To all who replied or read thank you. May not be back for a while because I'm just going to have to let it run and wait for failure but if I don't get it resolved I'll be seeing you.

[T6]

it sounds like you are going to buy a new pc

or at least the mainboard because if the mainboard can't see that you don't have ram, it is lost beyond hope

[bones113]

Have you tried jumping off the bios to reset it to default settings?. If you cant find the jumper try removing the bios battery for a couple minutes then put it back in. It may help.

[Ray2047]

it sounds like you are going to buy a new pc

or at least the mainboard because if the mainboard can't see that you don't have ram, it is lost beyond hope

But I do have it up and running now on a live DVD with no HD installed so I'm leaning toward faulty beep code.

Bones113 wrote

Have you tried jumping off the bios to reset it to default settings?

Both ways multiple times.

[T6]

i didn't got that no hard disk lets it boot part

check with another psu, also replace the sata cable

if nothing of that helps, backup the hard disk and replace it

[luikki]

does, by any chance, that faulty hdd have winzows installed?

[Ray2047]

check with another psu, also replace the sata cable

Tried the HD once in another computer using a different SATA cable and that computer wouldn't post till I disconnected the HD.

if nothing of that helps, backup the hard disk and replace it

Thats what I'm leaning towards. Once my main computer passes the 24 hour test just running on a live CD then I'll test the HD one more time then try a different hard  drive if I still have problems.

I'm puzzled though. I can see not booting because of a bad HD but this is a posting problem.

[T6]

mechanic failure inside the hard disk or a failure in the controller on the hard disk can be the responsible here

if you don't hear sounds form the hard disk, i would say that the problem is mechanic, sometimes you can hear a beep but that could be the hard disk, i had one doing a weird noise last year, i was sure it was the mainboard but no, it was the hard disk 

[LSeraphim]

Struck the platter.

Buy a new HDD I say.
But first, how many hours have you put on the HDD and do you maintain the disk?
Putting it in the fridge for a few minutes might let you recover some data. The HDD was hosed though.

[Ray2047]

You don't need any hard drive installed for a computer to post.