Do you need A hard Drive to boot? (need to prove)

[Alem]

The Person whom is fixing my computer says you need a hard drive to boot

i Say you dont becuse all iwant it it to run POST

So can you tell me

thanks

[OuTpaTienT]

No you don't. You can use a boot disk (floppy).

This is a routine operation. Are you sure you want this person working on your machine?

[Alem]

Thanks For peoving me


but my computer dose not run POST Just the lights come on thats it can you help me?


Thanks

[Ed_S]

Just seconding Outpatient's opinion.
Actually, you don't need ANY drive just to POST. Yeah, it'll return an error "No boot device found", but that's generally the last thing it "looks" for anyway!

Sounds like either there's a misunderstanding with that person, or you need someone else working on it!

Ed

[Alem]

thank you ED I need that.

Do you have any suggestion on fixing my computer it doesn't run POST so...

[Nighthawk]

I test RAM all the time on a test board that is just a motherboard, CPU, the RAM being tested, and a video card (on a wooden board), so a hard drive isn't required.

I'd reccomend trying a different CPU if you can get your hands on it, different RAM, and a different video card. If none of those work, try removing all cards except video card, CPU, and RAM.

[Ed_S]

We'll need a bunch more info, really. Like the basics specs.

Did anything happen to it, or did it just fail to start?
Upgrades or changes done, then won't start?
What?

Is it currently assembled completely, and have you checked the connections?

What's been done so far?

[Alem]

OK I was trying to install a old sound card (better that the one I have)and after when I tried to boot it up nothing happens so I tried aging and nothing so I took out the sound card and tried nothing and then did the presses of elimination and still nothing so I think the Power supply or the mother board is gone if so I'll have to wait to buy another.
(I am only a kid)

[This message has been edited by Alem (edited 02-27-2001).]

[Alem]

The Specs of my computer are...

IBM 300XL
Intel P II 233(Obviously)
IBM 32 Meg
IBM 15 GIG
Toshiba DVD
2x2x6 CD burner(OLD)
Real Hollywood MPEG Decoder
ATI Expert 98
A TV Tuner (I forget)
and an Built - in Sound card Wanted to up to a sound blaster.

That's every thing I think

[Roy]

That's a tidy little package.

Where are you located? Maybe another member is in your area and can offer some close-up ideas.

[daveleau]

I would try the things that I usually try when I get an unresolved boot problem like yours...

Take the RAM out and put it back in... reboot
Reseat all AGP, PCI, ISA cards...reboot
Reset the CMOS (if there is not jumper or the jumper is not known for resetting CMOS, just pull the CMOS battery, go to bed, get up in the morning and plug the battery back in)...reboot

Good luck (It is not the hdd problem...)
Dave

[Techie Dude]

Just a thought!

Usually, if the computer doesn`t beep at all, it` often a faulty PSU.

The BIOS beeps are there to warn of problems with specific hardware. Ram, Video, Keyboard, Drives, etc. Actually, I had a system that beeped weired codes at me tonight. Worked wen I plugged the monitor in though, lol.

Anyway, if it`s not beeping at all, check the speaker in the case is plugged in ok. Then, check the PSU. Swap it for another if you can. And if that doesn`t work, try another mobo.

If after all that it still doesn`t work, I think the BIOS chip might be dead!

Let us know how you get on, and good luck!

TD.

[Alem]

Hi I am in Canada in the Pickering area

MY computer Dose not Beep or anythng i press the button and bla nothing so i think its dead.