-
October 30th, 2007, 04:21 PM
#1
Registered User
Computer not booting up
Running 98 se
Press the power button the computer start running the green light comes on as does the orange light. The orange light goes out about 2 second later.
There is no beeps but you do hear it try to boot for a second. Nothing shows up on the monitor. You hear the computer running. Now what is running I'm not sure. I got it to boot up once then it froze up while using it.
-
October 31st, 2007, 05:13 AM
#2
Will it boot with a Windows install disk in the cd/dvd ? Can you get into Bios?
-
October 31st, 2007, 10:00 AM
#3
Registered User
One of the first things that comes to my mind is the power supply judging by the symptoms.
-
October 31st, 2007, 04:09 PM
#4
Driver Terrier
That or the video card is dying.
Never, ever approach a computer saying or even thinking "I will just do this quickly."
-
October 31st, 2007, 05:18 PM
#5
Registered User
Monitor
I have the same monitor running on another computer.
-
November 1st, 2007, 06:03 AM
#6
Driver Terrier
OK, so assuming the monitor cable is not separate, that means that the monitor and cable are good. That leaves the video card, or power supply or motherboard or... well you get the idea. You need to start eliminating one thing at a time. Are you up for dismantling your pc?
Never, ever approach a computer saying or even thinking "I will just do this quickly."
-
November 1st, 2007, 06:13 AM
#7
Registered User
Dismantle Here I come
Originally Posted by NooNoo
OK, so assuming the monitor cable is not separate, that means that the monitor and cable are good. That leaves the video card, or power supply or motherboard or... well you get the idea. You need to start eliminating one thing at a time. Are you up for dismantling your pc?
Sure...
Do you have a process on how I should tackle it. If the computer comes on shouldn't the power supply be working?
-
November 1st, 2007, 06:20 AM
#8
Driver Terrier
Let's talk about the power supply (psu) first.
Just because a psu supplies some electricity to the motherboard for it to apparently start, doesn't mean it's working properly. A psu takes in voltage from your socket in your house - 110, 220 or whatever depending on where you live... it then converts that power into 12v and 5volt outputs with a given amount of amps/watts. If the power supply is failing, it may not output the voltage and watts in a steady reliable stream but may under supply or over supply.
For a non technician, the only way to test this is to replace the psu with a similarly rated new one.
The process on how to tackle taking apart your computer is reasonably simple. You need a bench to work on with power you can turn off. You need a little pot to put the screws in or if you are worried a sheet of paper and sticky tape. You tape the screw to the paper and write next to it where it came from.
First challenge is taking the case apart. If it's a branded computer, it could be a lot of fun figuring out the release mechanisms or getting the right screwdriver end (star/torx) to fit. Standard computer cases of this age were towers, had 4 screws in the back and both sides and top of the case are pulled back slightly then lifted off. Some had the panel on the sides that could be removed separately.
So what have you got ?
Never, ever approach a computer saying or even thinking "I will just do this quickly."
-
November 1st, 2007, 09:24 AM
#9
Registered User
Apart..
Originally Posted by NooNoo
Let's talk about the power supply (psu) first.
Just because a psu supplies some electricity to the motherboard for it to apparently start, doesn't mean it's working properly. A psu takes in voltage from your socket in your house - 110, 220 or whatever depending on where you live... it then converts that power into 12v and 5volt outputs with a given amount of amps/watts. If the power supply is failing, it may not output the voltage and watts in a steady reliable stream but may under supply or over supply.
For a non technician, the only way to test this is to replace the psu with a similarly rated new one.
The process on how to tackle taking apart your computer is reasonably simple. You need a bench to work on with power you can turn off. You need a little pot to put the screws in or if you are worried a sheet of paper and sticky tape. You tape the screw to the paper and write next to it where it came from.
First challenge is taking the case apart. If it's a branded computer, it could be a lot of fun figuring out the release mechanisms or getting the right screwdriver end (star/torx) to fit. Standard computer cases of this age were towers, had 4 screws in the back and both sides and top of the case are pulled back slightly then lifted off. Some had the panel on the sides that could be removed separately.
So what have you got ?
Taking it apart is not a problem. I usual every so often open up the computer and clean it out. About 4 yrs ago I replaced the video card with a ATI Rage. I've replace parts in other computers too like Ram and Hard Drives. I was wondering how I can tell which part is bad in this one as I'm taking it apart. Do I turn it on as I take each part out or what?
-
November 1st, 2007, 10:16 AM
#10
Registered User
Old technique I was taught long ago. Similar to what you are saying is this.
Turn off the PC. Take one piece out. Turn it on. See if it works. If not turn off again and take another piece out. Repeat until you get results. When it starts working again set aside the last piece you took out. Put the other pieces in one at a time and only remove them if they make it stop working.
BE SURE TO ALWAYS HAVE THE POWER OFF WHEN TAKING OUT OR ADDING A COMPONENT. You can damage 1 or more components if it is on when you add or remove them.
Also if you take all the memory out you won't get farther than a bunch of beeps and a black screen.
Last edited by Niclo Iste; November 1st, 2007 at 10:20 AM.
-
November 1st, 2007, 11:07 AM
#11
Driver Terrier
Originally Posted by Twigs
Taking it apart is not a problem. I usual every so often open up the computer and clean it out. About 4 yrs ago I replaced the video card with a ATI Rage. I've replace parts in other computers too like Ram and Hard Drives. I was wondering how I can tell which part is bad in this one as I'm taking it apart. Do I turn it on as I take each part out or what?
OK, so first thing to do is replace the video card. When a card is dead, you get 3 beeps if it's award bios... but I have seen cards that partially die - only the video output dies (and they have always been ATI cards that do this).
As for visually spotting a broken component - it is possible, but more often than not a chip has fried with no external clue.
Examine the mainboard with a good light, you are looking for signs of burning and also look at the upright cylindrical things attached to the motherboard. These are capacitors and can bulge and leak. Look at the tops, they should be completely flat and clean.
Before you close it up again, ensure that all ide cables and other cables are securely attached by pushing them evenly but firmly into place.
Never, ever approach a computer saying or even thinking "I will just do this quickly."
-
November 1st, 2007, 05:30 PM
#12
Registered User
Quick Glance
Originally Posted by NooNoo
OK, so first thing to do is replace the video card. When a card is dead, you get 3 beeps if it's award bios... but I have seen cards that partially die - only the video output dies (and they have always been ATI cards that do this).
As for visually spotting a broken component - it is possible, but more often than not a chip has fried with no external clue.
Examine the mainboard with a good light, you are looking for signs of burning and also look at the upright cylindrical things attached to the motherboard. These are capacitors and can bulge and leak. Look at the tops, they should be completely flat and clean.
Before you close it up again, ensure that all ide cables and other cables are securely attached by pushing them evenly but firmly into place.
I did a quick glance. This weekend I can dive into it better.
I open up the computer then turn it on. I have three fans in the unit ( one for the processor ,one for the unit and one in the power supply). They were all running. I turn it off then I unplugged two of fans and left the one on the power supply running beings I could figure out how to unplug just the fan for it. I turn it back on and listen to the HD. I could hear like a high pitch sound and I could feel a light vibration like maybe the HD spinning. Then I turn the unit off and unplugged the HD with the two fans still unplugged. then turn the unit back on and heard only the fan on the power supply running. Then I turn it off again and to out the Video card and put it back it to make sure it was seated ok. There was pretty much no change. I will do what you say and try replacing the video card. I still have the old one that I took out when I replaced it with the ATI that is in it now.
Do you think by the little info I gave you that the HD is working?
Really want to thank you for taking the time to help me with this.
You have always been a great help to this greenhorn.
-
November 2nd, 2007, 03:30 AM
#13
Driver Terrier
It sounds like it is, but like most things, it's not that simple. The motor of the drive may make it spin up, but the electronics may prevent it from communicating with the computer.
Just one thought. Go into bios and check the setting for the video card is set to AGP. Sometimes it will reset to PCI and then the computer is trying to output the video from a non existant source. Did this computer have onboard video as well?
Never, ever approach a computer saying or even thinking "I will just do this quickly."
-
November 2nd, 2007, 06:32 AM
#14
Registered User
-
November 2nd, 2007, 11:42 AM
#15
Driver Terrier
Right, not thinking, if you have no video, how do you get into bios... duh. Sorry dropped the ball there.
OK, onboard video is exactly that, a video output directly from the motherboard and not from a separate video card. Have you tried plugging the monitor into the onboard video and see what happens?
Never, ever approach a computer saying or even thinking "I will just do this quickly."
Similar Threads
-
By Biker Chick in forum Windows XP
Replies: 19
Last Post: August 14th, 2008, 05:34 PM
-
By HipHoper in forum Tech-To-Tech
Replies: 0
Last Post: August 1st, 2007, 02:20 AM
-
By nm in forum Tech-To-Tech
Replies: 4
Last Post: June 28th, 2002, 05:44 PM
-
By Smokey702a in forum BIOS/Motherboard Drivers
Replies: 9
Last Post: April 30th, 2001, 03:14 AM
-
By Jared Job in forum Windows 95/98/98SE/ME
Replies: 20
Last Post: October 2nd, 2000, 05:39 PM
Posting Permissions
- You may not post new threads
- You may not post replies
- You may not post attachments
- You may not edit your posts
-
Forum Rules
|
|
Bookmarks