No boot

[DutchMaster]

PC doesn't boot!! It doesn't show the videobios and there is no beep. When I switch on the computer it shows the indicator lights but it doesn't start up at all. Power, reset, drive buttons don't work. After switching on the computer about 20 times it finally starts up. Then it runs without any problems.

I've tried the following already:
-flashed the boardbios
-flashed the videobios
-cleared the CMOS
-pulled out all the cards
-tried without CD-ROM drives
-cleanded the motherboard and connections

I think the problem is one of the three hardware:
-motherboard (Abit KA7 with AMD 700Mhz CPU)
-power supply (300W ATX)
-VGA card (Asus v6600 Geforce256 SGRAM)

The Powersupply seems to work fine: 5.2V and 11.9V present. It's a 300W type so that should be enough.

The VGA card could be the problem, but I am not sure because without the card the system doesn't beeps or starts (or is this normal??).


Anybody knows what's causing this problem??

[DutchMaster]

Probably solved the problem. The systems startsup fine. But haven't tested with the power of for more than an hour.

After reading http://www.sysopt.com/articles/recoverbios/index.html I flashed the BIOS again, but this time with programming the Boot Block.
This seemed to caused the problem.

Systems runs fine again.

[G]

It sounds to me as if you have a power supply related problem. Each power supply completes internal checks and tests before allowing the system to start. If the test is successful, the power supply unit (PSU) sends a special signal to the motherboard called Power_Good (Power_OK or POK). If this signal is not continuously present, the computer does not run. Therefore, when the AC voltage dips and the power supply becomes over-stressed or overheated, the Power_Good signal goes down and forces a system reset or complete shutdown. When you have no boot up you may experience a situation where the fans and HDD(s) spin etc but the see nothing on the monitor. This is a classic PSU related problem. However, if your system has been suffering from system locks (sometimes attributed to software bugs which can be the case but it can also be related to PSU problems). As you did not replace your PSU you have experience the following. On powering on your system, it may seem dead but the fan(s) and hard disk drive(s) (HDDs) are running or not if the PSU is completely gone. This is an example of a Power_Good, or should I say Power_Not-So-Good signal. This can be confirmed by conducting the following test. If your computer fails to boot up properly the first time you turn it on via the power switch but it subsequently boots up if you use the rest button or Ctrl-Alt-Del warm boot command, then, in all probability, there is a problem with the Power_Good timing and hence PSU.
The PSU powers the computer so it can operate, obviously, but it also ensures that the system does not run unless the power supplied is sufficient to operate the system properly. In short, the PSU actually prevents the computer from starting up or operating until all the correct power levels are present. This PSU seems to have deteriorated to this point now. Initially, it may have been that your computer’s Power_Good signal was good but then the PSU started to struggle. How does this aforementioned set-up work? The Power_Good signal is a +5V signal (with variations from +3.0 through +6.0) generated in the power supply when it has passed its internal self-tests and the output has stabilised (between 0.1 to 0.5 seconds after the power to the computer is switched on) the PSU sends the signal to the motherboard, where it is received by the processor timer chip, which controls the reset line to the processor. In the absence of Power_Good, the timer chip continually resets the processor, which prevents the system from running under bad or unstable power conditions (hence no boot up). When the timer chip receives the Power_Good signal, it stops resetting the processor, and the processor begins executing whatever code is at address FFFF:0000 (usually the ROM BIOS). If the PSU cannot maintain proper outputs (such as when burnout’s occur), the Power_Good signal is withdrawn, and the processor is automatically reset. When the power output returns to its proper levels, the PSU regenerates the Power_Good signal and the system again begins operating (as if it is had been powered on). A resetting computer indicates a Power_Good abortive action and leading one to suspect a PSU problem. By withdrawing the Power_Good signal, the system should never use an erratic energy supply because it is stopped quickly (reset) rather than being allowed to operate using unstable or improper power levels. These power states or conditions can cause memory parity error problems (sometimes misdiagnosed as a memory problem but in fact a PSU problem), CMOS memory corruption and so on. These problems can be hard to pinpoint and misdiagnosis is common.

If your computer was supplied with a cheap PSUs it may not have proper Power_Good circuitry. Some motherboards are more sensitive to an improperly designed or improperly functioning Power_Good signal than others. Intermittent start-up problems like the ones you are experiencing are often the result of improper Power_Good signal timing. If you have installed additional devices, or upgraded your motherboard (not the motherboard at fault but its sensitivity is more apparent to this over-stressed PSU stated) then PSU seems at fault in some way. As your PSU was already marginalised or poorly engineered then replacing it with a high-quality PSU instead can easily rectify a PSU problem. Have a look at PC Power & Cooling at www.pcpowerandcooling.com (http://www.pcpowerandcooling.com)

PSUs often do not fail completely all at once; they can fail in an intermittent manner or allow fluctuating power levels to reach the system, which results in unstable operation (ah!) and damaged components. Does this sound familiar? You may be experiencing the following without knowing its cause. If not, then you might experience the problems listed below unless you rectify the PSU right away.

Your computer system is powered by your PSU, do not jeopardise the integrity of your data and the remaining computer components on a marginalised or defective PSU. Act now, and everything should work out ok.

Symptoms you are, or may experience, pertaining to a PSU problem are as follows:

Any power-on or system start-up failures or lockups.
Spontaneous rebooting or intermittent lockups during normal operation.
Intermittent parity check or other memory-type errors.
HDD and fan simultaneously failing to spin (no + 12V) (is this your systems symptoms too)
Overheating due to fan failure.
Small brownouts cause the system to reset.
Electric shock felt on the case or connector
Slight static discharges disrupt system operation.
Removing devices eliminates problem.

The power supply is one of the most important components in your PC. Do yourself a favour and buy a new high-quality replacement.

I hope this is of help to you. Let me know how you get on.

All the best,
G

[ticktack]

Probably solved the problem. The systems startsup fine. But haven't tested with the power of for more than an hour.

After reading http://www.sysopt.com/articles/recoverbios/index.html I flashed the BIOS again, but this time with programming the Boot Block.
This seemed to caused the problem.

Systems runs fine again.


what solutions are you referring to? I seems to have the similar teething bootup problems and also I have the similar gfx cards too, but mines is an Creative Annihilator GF256 and using an EpoX BX-6 i440 based chipset mobo plus PIII-800!

[DutchMaster]

Thanks for your reply G, on my thread.
Thicktack, seems we got the same problem.

Flashing the BIOS did solved some minor problems I had before. The system was on like 3 days without crashing or any problems, running fine on stable 98lite OS. But this weekend I turned it off for more than 10 hours for the final test. The problem was still there. Had to start it for more then 20 times.
Much to think that the power supply is the problem, since the fan was really dirty and may caused some overheating components in the passed.
I encountered the symptom mentioned "Spontaneous rebooting or intermittent lockups during normal operation" in the passed, This may indicate my power supply must be the problem.


P.S.
I shall try a different power supply this week. I shall report the result on the following thread: http://www.sysopt.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&postid=499907&t=8379#post499907

[G]

Double post, obviously. Sorry Fingers :)

G

[G]

You’re welcome DutchMaster. A high-quality PSU will do your computer system no end of good. Make sure you make the right choice though. It’s worth paying a little extra for quality and reliability.

All the best,
G