PC Failing to Start

MythicaL · Oct 25, 2004, 03:33 PM

Well, I couldn't use the computer all weekend since it won't start up. Basically the problem is that the mainboard won't POST, and therefore I just receive a blank screen. It wasn't my fault either (pretty sure), since it did it the next time I restarted the machine.

Let's see, I tried clearing the CMOS, taking out the battery (which is also supposed to clear the CMOS)... that didn't even work. Then I tried cleaning out the PSU, figuring that it was so dusty inside that it failed to get enough power. And THEN, I tried taking everything out again, and now there is a huge mess in my room (well, bigger than before anyway).

I have basically figured that it's either the RAM, or the mainboard... But seeing as how I have mixed RAM types, I really don't think that's the case (but it might be...). So yeah, I have an Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe mainboard, and I have no moolah for a new one/replacement.

I'll be back in about 4 or 5 hours to check back... Thanks

Vidmaster23 · Oct 26, 2004, 01:20 AM

I just had a POST problem at work today with one computer. Basically I was messing with everything. I made sure all the cables were snugly in place. I then removed the video card, nic, sound card, hard drive, a drive, and the cdrom drive.

After I did all that i blew everything out with a can of air. One thing i didnt think to check was the cpu. I took that out, blew the dust out of the socket, replaced the cpu and it booted up!

funny how its something so easy :/

my advice to you is to just make sure you do all the stuff you did above before you start replacing stuff.

MythicaL · Oct 26, 2004, 07:02 PM

Tried that already... even took the mainboard out, along with the sound card, GPU, CPU, heatsink, and unplugged the power from the CD-ROMs and slave hard drive. Still don't know what's causing it though...

If it was the RAM, I wouldn't know since I have no way of testing the sticks...

I got...

1x512 ddr400 Kingston Value RAM
2x256 ddr400 Corsair XMS RAM

Not sure of the timings, but I know the Kingston's are higher than the Corsair's.

Vampyromaniac · Oct 26, 2004, 07:13 PM

Try with only some of the RAM installed, like one DIMM at a time

MythicaL · Oct 27, 2004, 07:44 AM

Alright cool... Got it working... FINALLY! Basically I left the RTC battery out for a day, then put it back in, and it FINALLY POST'ed. But then it did the same thing, I took out the Kingston RAM, and so now everything works perfectly now.

Oct 25, 2004, 03:33 PM	#1
MythicaL I like computers. Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In front of a monitor Posts: 3,399 Rep Power: 89 System Specs	PC Failing to Start Well, I couldn't use the computer all weekend since it won't start up. Basically the problem is that the mainboard won't POST, and therefore I just receive a blank screen. It wasn't my fault either (pretty sure), since it did it the next time I restarted the machine. Let's see, I tried clearing the CMOS, taking out the battery (which is also supposed to clear the CMOS)... that didn't even work. Then I tried cleaning out the PSU, figuring that it was so dusty inside that it failed to get enough power. And THEN, I tried taking everything out again, and now there is a huge mess in my room (well, bigger than before anyway). I have basically figured that it's either the RAM, or the mainboard... But seeing as how I have mixed RAM types, I really don't think that's the case (but it might be...). So yeah, I have an Asus A7N8X-E Deluxe mainboard, and I have no moolah for a new one/replacement. I'll be back in about 4 or 5 hours to check back... Thanks __________________ Always knew I didn't belong in this world. I wasn't made for this. But I'll never forget those who betrayed me, and those who never failed my trust.

Oct 26, 2004, 01:20 AM	#2
Vidmaster23 DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Virginia Posts: 77 Rep Power: 0	I just had a POST problem at work today with one computer. Basically I was messing with everything. I made sure all the cables were snugly in place. I then removed the video card, nic, sound card, hard drive, a drive, and the cdrom drive. After I did all that i blew everything out with a can of air. One thing i didnt think to check was the cpu. I took that out, blew the dust out of the socket, replaced the cpu and it booted up! funny how its something so easy :/ my advice to you is to just make sure you do all the stuff you did above before you start replacing stuff. __________________ My System: Athlon 51-FX @ 2.2ghz Asus SK8N 1 gig of PC3200 Mushkin DDR Radeon 9700 Pro Twin 80gig 7200RPM HD's

Oct 26, 2004, 07:02 PM	Thread Starter #3
MythicaL I like computers. Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In front of a monitor Posts: 3,399 Rep Power: 89 System Specs	Tried that already... even took the mainboard out, along with the sound card, GPU, CPU, heatsink, and unplugged the power from the CD-ROMs and slave hard drive. Still don't know what's causing it though... If it was the RAM, I wouldn't know since I have no way of testing the sticks... I got... 1x512 ddr400 Kingston Value RAM 2x256 ddr400 Corsair XMS RAM Not sure of the timings, but I know the Kingston's are higher than the Corsair's. __________________ Always knew I didn't belong in this world. I wasn't made for this. But I'll never forget those who betrayed me, and those who never failed my trust.

Oct 26, 2004, 07:13 PM	#4
Vampyromaniac confutatis maledictis Join Date: May 2002 Location: somewhere dark Posts: 5,974 Rep Power: 77 System Specs	Try with only some of the RAM installed, like one DIMM at a time __________________ *Digitalis 3.3* Athlon 64 3000 // ASUS K8V SE Deluxe // 1024MB PC3200 (2-2-2-10 1T) ATI All-In-Wonder 9700 Pro // 20" Dell 2005FPW (DVI) M-Audio Revo 7.1 + Philips Acoustic Edge // Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 320/16 Western Digital WD3200KS + 120/8 Seagate 7200.7 NEC ND-3550A 16x DVD±RW + Lite-On 52x24x CD-RW Antec Sonata case // 480W Antec TruePower personal bests \|\| Aq'3: 46796 \| 3D'01: 20461 \| 3D'03: 6336 \| 3D'05: 2677 \| PC'04: 4605 \| PC'02: 7691,9092,1250

Oct 27, 2004, 07:44 AM	Thread Starter #5
MythicaL I like computers. Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: In front of a monitor Posts: 3,399 Rep Power: 89 System Specs	Alright cool... Got it working... FINALLY! Basically I left the RTC battery out for a day, then put it back in, and it FINALLY POST'ed. But then it did the same thing, I took out the Kingston RAM, and so now everything works perfectly now. __________________ Always knew I didn't belong in this world. I wasn't made for this. But I'll never forget those who betrayed me, and those who never failed my trust.