System (mobo) dead?

[chaser_22]

I have a problem which is really driving me NUTS!!

A month ago, old system suddenly died, was in windows when all of a sudden it rebooted, but instead of rebooting just got a blank screen, resetted manually wouldn't boot, not even error codes (beeps).

System fans were running, hdd wasn't doing much. Tested all components in a spare computer (on an AMD K6-2 system), everything worked fine, graphics card, hdd.

Figured mobo dead or processor, had an MSI K7T pro with AMD Athlon 850 Mhz.

So, bought new parts new mobo (Shuttle ak32v, KT266a), AMD XP 2200+, recycled all other parts.

Worked fine, for a month. Today, I get the same problem as with the previous configuration.

Only difference know is that sometimes it gives error beeps during boot, long beep-pause-long beep-pause and so on.

There's nothing wrong with the videocard and memory, processor is brand new, what the h*ll is going on?

Replaced the psu 250 Watt Aopen with a spare psu 300 Watt Aopen, still same problem.

I know the hdd isn't really healthy anymore cause it's making a lot of noise, but that shouldn't cause the pc not to boot, even when the hdd and everything else is disconnected, it won't boot.

I hope someone will take the time to read all of this, if you have, my thanks.

[naptownman]

Sounds like bad ram. Download http://www.memtest86.com/ and test. If you have multiple sticks, try to reboot with only one.

[chaser_22]

Don't think the ram is bad, tried them out one at a time.
One of them going bad I can imagine but both?

It's 2x 256 Mb Corsair xms 2400. Have latest BIOS installed and have set memory using spd and manual settings.

Because I can't boot I can't run memtest and I don't have any spare memory lying around, so that's a problem also.

I've found a link to what the BIOS beep code mean, three long beeps means there's something wrong with the keyboard controller, so I'm going to try a different keyboard.

Don't think that's the only problem though, maybe the mobo's been damaged somehow, talked to tech support, I can rma the board if I want, but if I can avoid all the hassle all the better.

Weird thing is that sometimes when I disconnect the floppydrive it's able to boot up untill it gets into windows and reboots again.

[whiteangel]

I think this problem may be unrelated to your problem with the previous computer.

If you think the problem is with the keyboard, check to make sure that any keys are not depressed when you turn on the computer

Try running the computer with the bare minimum components. Disconnect the unnecessary stuff and then try restarting the computer. That will help you in narrowing it down

[rmanet]

Have you cleared CMOS (power unplugged) - I'd RMA the mobo anyway if any questions at all - nothing worse than a new mobo with problems from day one, and if you finally get into setup tell it to ignore keyboard errors, as an example, and see if you can't get in to your OS (you should be able to use your mouse I would think). Hit F8 to see what else is going on in Safe Mode if you get there.

Just trying to isolate some potential problems,and you didn't by any chance pull the keyboard or mouse with the system on? Or try USB keyboard and mouse maybe as it could be your ps2 sockets? Just some thoughts - you have a ways to go and whiteangel's right - it's slow going but you may need to start all over with minimal components.

[chaser_22]

That's what's so frustrating, I've tried all of that by now.

I'll give it a last try today with the mobo pulled out of the case and see if it boots, if not, I'll rma it.

Is it possible that it's not the mobo but the cpu?
If it's fried will it occassionally boot or do completely nothing?

Rma is going to take awhile, so have to figure something out for HDD to get it working on a different system, has some important stuff on it.

Unfortunately I can't hook it up to my AMD K6-2 system, Windows XP Home won't be able to run on it I think.

Thank you for all your input.

[whiteangel]

Originally posted by chaser_22


Unfortunately I can't hook it up to my AMD K6-2 system, Windows XP Home won't be able to run on it I think.




I am typing this post on a AMD K6-2 with Win XP Pro

:D