Computer won't boot -- no error message

  • Thread starter Thread starter Natter91
  • Start date Start date
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Natter91

My computer was working normally until it just turned off. Now, when I press
the power button, the computer will turn on, but it won't start up. The
monitor is blank and on standby, like it is when it isn't getting anything
from the computer.

The light on the motherboard is on. All of the fans are working, including
the one on the video card. Nothing that is attached by USB gets power, except
for a brief flash right when I turn it on. My keyboard, which is PS/2,
doesn't turn on either.

I did try changing the RAM, but that didn't work. I also tried switching the
monitor on a suggestion from someone else, but that didn't change anything
either.

My hardware that I can remember:
Motherboard: Asus P4C800-E Deluxe
CPU: Pentium IV 3.2 GHz
Video Card: Ati Radeon 9600 Pro

Thanks!
 
Perhaps your keyboard is either broken, or not plugged in securely.
If not, I would try holding in the power button till it restarts or shuts
down. Press F8 during the startup black screen, just after the BIOS screen,
to enter Safe Mode. Resetting the Power Options there may help.
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Mark L. Ferguson
..
 
I can try pressing F8, but I don't think it will work. I don't get the BIOS
screen -- I don't get any screen at all. It's completely blank right from the
moment I press the power button, and the computer never starts the boot
cycle. The fans turn on, the lights turn on (including the hard drive light
being constantly on and not blinking) but the monitor doesn't display
anything and the computer doesn't start to sound like it's working harder
like it normally does when starting.
 
Natter91 said:
My computer was working normally until it just turned off. Now, when I
press
the power button, the computer will turn on, but it won't start up. The
monitor is blank and on standby, like it is when it isn't getting anything
from the computer.

The light on the motherboard is on. All of the fans are working, including
the one on the video card. Nothing that is attached by USB gets power,
except
for a brief flash right when I turn it on. My keyboard, which is PS/2,
doesn't turn on either.

I did try changing the RAM, but that didn't work. I also tried switching
the
monitor on a suggestion from someone else, but that didn't change anything
either.

My hardware that I can remember:
Motherboard: Asus P4C800-E Deluxe
CPU: Pentium IV 3.2 GHz
Video Card: Ati Radeon 9600 Pro

Thanks!
Click to expand...


Natter91:
Do this...

1. After powering off the machine and removing the A/C cord from the wall
socket...

2. Disconnect the HDD from the system; ditto for any optical drive(s),
floppy drive, and any other storage devices, printer, etc.

3. Work with only the power supply connected, your RAM, your video card &
monitor, (you can leave your mouse/keyboard connected), but nothing else. No
other peripherals, OK?

4. Power on the machine.

What happens? Do you get any kind of screen display at all or just a black
screen?

If you do get a screen display can you access the BIOS and manipulate
through the settings there for a period of time? Any problems at this point?

And the CPU fan is going, right?

If you are able to access the BIOS, check the temperatures shown in the BIOS
display. Any problem here?

If still "dead in the water" it's most likely the processor or the
motherboard; usually the latter.

Conceivably it could be a defective PS even though you're apparently getting
power to the system.

The problem here is that the only way you can definitively tell what's
causing the problem is by substituting components, usually not a practical
thing for the average user.
Anna
 
Anna said:
Natter91:
Do this...

1. After powering off the machine and removing the A/C cord from the wall
socket...

2. Disconnect the HDD from the system; ditto for any optical drive(s),
floppy drive, and any other storage devices, printer, etc.

3. Work with only the power supply connected, your RAM, your video card &
monitor, (you can leave your mouse/keyboard connected), but nothing else.
No
other peripherals, OK?

4. Power on the machine.

What happens? Do you get any kind of screen display at all or just a black
screen?

If you do get a screen display can you access the BIOS and manipulate
through the settings there for a period of time? Any problems at this
point?

And the CPU fan is going, right?

If you are able to access the BIOS, check the temperatures shown in the
BIOS
display. Any problem here?

If still "dead in the water" it's most likely the processor or the
motherboard; usually the latter.
Click to expand...

If he is able to access the BIOS, that indicates the CPU is functioning, at
least to that level, obviously. But I am curious to know how many CPUs
could do that (allowing access to BIOS means the CPU is functioning) but
still be defective beyond that in practice. But I haven't seen enough
data to really know.
 
Bill in Co. said:
If he is able to access the BIOS, that indicates the CPU is functioning,
at least to that level, obviously. But I am curious to know how many
CPUs could do that (allowing access to BIOS means the CPU is functioning)
but still be defective beyond that in practice. But I haven't seen
enough data to really know.
Click to expand...


Accessing the BIOS in & of itself does *not* exclude the possibility of a
defective CPU. We've encountered a number of instances where we were dealing
with a defective processor under those circumstances. As you may have noted
I suggested that should the user be able to access the BIOS he or she should
remain in that area "for a period of time". It's one of the diagnostic
procedures (admittedly somewhat crude, but possibly useful for end-users)
we've used in these situations that sometimes will expose or at least give
some indication of a defective processor in that a black screen will return
during this time. Anyway, it's useful to check CPU temperature while in the
BIOS.

As I've indicated, (again, based on my experience), if it is a hardware
failure (the system is "dead in the water"), in most cases it's the
motherboard rather than the processor. But, again, that's not definitive by
any means. And the problem is as I've indicated in my last paragraph of my
response to the OP.
Anna
Anna
 
Anna said:
Accessing the BIOS in & of itself does *not* exclude the possibility of a
defective CPU.
Click to expand...

True enough.
We've encountered a number of instances where we were dealing
with a defective processor under those circumstances.
Click to expand...

That's what I wanted to know! - Thanks. So you've actually had cases of
such CPU failures in practice? Which is interesting to know. I knew
(as an EE) it was theoretically possible, but I wanted to know if it really
happens, in practice. So thanks for that update.
 
"Bill in Co."
True enough.
Click to expand...


That's what I wanted to know! - Thanks. So you've actually had cases of
such CPU failures in practice? Which is interesting to know. I knew
(as an EE) it was theoretically possible, but I wanted to know if it
really happens, in practice. So thanks for that update.
Click to expand...


Bill:
Let me add this further comment based on my experience diagnosing &
repairing PCs over the years - particularly with reference to the past
half-dozen years or so...

Assuming that we're dealing with a hardware problem involving a defective
major component, and,
further assuming that the problem arose at some point *after* the system was
working properly, i.e., this is not a new, untried system...

And further assuming that the problem is *not* with the hard drive(s) nor
optical drive(s) - (the usual culprits involving major component
failures)...

(In most cases) it will come down to whether it's the power supply; or the
processor; or the RAM; possibly the graphics/video card, or the motherboard.

The problem for the end-user is that the only definitive way to determine
the problem component is through substitution - obviously not a practical
approach for most end-users.

There are relatively inexpensive (about $20 or so) power supply testers on
the market and they yield surprisingly good diagnostic results, especially
when they find the PS is defective. But again, the only definitive way to
tell is through substitution.

When it comes to the processor and RAM - in comparison to the
motherboard -those components hold up quite well. I might even say that a
defective processor and even defective RAM is a rare occurrence. With
respect to the graphics/video card in most cases where there is a problem
it's because the card isn't properly seated or properly connected.

Again, I hasten to add that all this is with reference to a system that has
been working just fine up to the hardware problem manifesting itself and
obviously no outside physical type problem, e.g., power surges, brownouts,
manhandling the PC, etc., has occurred that might be a source of the
problem.

So that leaves us with motherboards. And in comparison with the other major
components we've mentioned (excepting the drives of course), motherboards
are more frequently the problem.

I'm sure your (and others) will understand that all the above are
generalizations (some might even say "gross generalizations"!). But that has
been my experience over the years.
Anna
 
Anna said:
"Bill in Co."


...


Bill:
Let me add this further comment based on my experience diagnosing &
repairing PCs over the years - particularly with reference to the past
half-dozen years or so...
OK.

Assuming that we're dealing with a hardware problem involving a defective
major component, and,
further assuming that the problem arose at some point *after* the system
was
working properly, i.e., this is not a new, untried system...

And further assuming that the problem is *not* with the hard drive(s) nor
optical drive(s) - (the usual culprits involving major component
failures)...

(In most cases) it will come down to whether it's the power supply; or the
processor; or the RAM; possibly the graphics/video card, or the
motherboard.

The problem for the end-user is that the only definitive way to determine
the problem component is through substitution - obviously not a practical
approach for most end-users.
Right.

There are relatively inexpensive (about $20 or so) power supply testers on
the market and they yield surprisingly good diagnostic results, especially
when they find the PS is defective. But again, the only definitive way to
tell is through substitution.
Click to expand...

Yeah, and I've used a voltmeter, but that is not completely definitive,
since it doesn't test its rated output current capabilities, or even test it
under load conditions (unless it's hooked up to a good load, of course).

And then again, sometimes you have to trick the system (by shorting a couple
of pins together) into turning on the power supply, if the MB is bad. (I
just had to do that recently, when I replaced a Dell power supply, with a
new quieter one, that turned out NOT to be compatible due to Dell's
proprietary power supply connector rewiring for those models - thanks Dell!)
When it comes to the processor and RAM - in comparison to the
motherboard -those components hold up quite well. I might even say that a
defective processor and even defective RAM is a rare occurrence.
Click to expand...

And I would expect that to be the case.
With respect to the graphics/video card in most cases where there is a
problem it's because the card isn't properly seated or properly connected.
Interesting..

Again, I hasten to add that all this is with reference to a system that
has
been working just fine up to the hardware problem manifesting itself and
obviously no outside physical type problem, e.g., power surges, brownouts,
manhandling the PC, etc., has occurred that might be a source of the
problem.

So that leaves us with motherboards. And in comparison with the other
major
components we've mentioned (excepting the drives of course), motherboards
are more frequently the problem.
Click to expand...

Makes sense. Also because there is SO much electronics on the MB, of
course.
I'm sure your (and others) will understand that all the above are
generalizations (some might even say "gross generalizations"!). But that
has
been my experience over the years.
Anna
Click to expand...

Yup, and thanks.
 
well, if the bios
status screen doesn't
come up, then
this is an important
clue.

for example if
your motherboard
had no cmos battery,
then the bios
status screen
would not appear.

also, if the power
supply was failing
and could no longer
supply sufficient power
to the motherboard, then
you would get the signs
of a dead motherboard.

further, because the power
supply provides power
separately to the other
individual components
then you would see
the disk lights enabled
and the fans working.

perhaps there is only
enough power to power
the small components
like the led's and the fans.

double check your cmos
battery and the power
supply cabling to the
motherboard.

keep in mind that it
is not uncommon that
a power supply component
fails but the are relatively
inexpensive and easily replaced.
 
well, if the bios
status screen doesn't
come up, then
this is an important
clue.

for example if
your motherboard
had no cmos battery,
then the bios
status screen
would not appear.
Click to expand...

Now THAT is interesting. I didn't know that, and figured at least some
BIOS screen would come up. But since I haven't tried it, I don't know,
but I'm not so sure your statement is correct. One thing is sure: who
knows what BIOS settings would show up, and be, in such a case.
also, if the power
supply was failing
and could no longer
supply sufficient power
to the motherboard, then
you would get the signs
of a dead motherboard.
Click to expand...

And that is a completely ambiguous "answer".
further, because the power
supply provides power
separately to the other
individual components
then you would see
the disk lights enabled
and the fans working.
Click to expand...

IF that part (just those specific output voltages and connections) of the
power supply are still working.
perhaps there is only
enough power to power
the small components
like the led's and the fans.
Click to expand...

(Pretty unlikely, however).
 
I can try pressing F8, but I don't think it will work. I don't get the BIOS
screen -- I don't get any screen at all. It's completely blank right from the
moment I press the power button, and thecomputernever starts the boot
cycle. The fans turn on, the lights turn on (including the hard drive light
being constantly on and not blinking) but the monitor doesn't display
anything and thecomputerdoesn't start to sound like it's working harder
like it normally does when starting.
Click to expand...

This is a symptom of one defective component in a power 'system' AND
symptom of many other problems. Others will use the same reasoning
that surrendered so many American manufacturing in the 1970 - wild
speculation and shotgunning.

Instead, "work smarter - not harder". Until you have numbers, 1)
you have not yet identified the reason for failure and 2) you have
insufficient information that would create replies from the better
informed.

The two minute procedure (not to be confused with many day of labor
advocated by others) is "When your computer dies without
warning....." starting 6 Feb 2007 in the newsgroup alt.windows-xp
at:
http://tinyurl.com/yvf9vh
Connector chart to locate each color:
http://www.hardwarebook.net/connector/power/atxpower.html

In your case, first numbers are from purple and green wires both
before and when power switch is pressed. Other useful numbers come
from any one orange, red, and yellow wires after power switch is
pressed.

Solution comes from stepping through a problem - follow the
evidence. Two minute procedure either identifies the reason for
failure or determines that many components (power supply is only one
component) of that subsystem are completely good.

Stop wasting time (and money) by fixing things on wild speculation
(ie ram). First one learns what the problem is. Later one fixes that
problem. 1970 Americans who never learned that basic concept
surrendered their jobs to Japanese. Notice how many here still never
learned how to "work smarter; not harder".
 
I tried to check the CMOS battery, but my voltmeter was going funky, so I
ended up just replacing the battery. Also, while I did that, I went inside
the processor's cooling box and cleaned a lot of dust out of it. One of those
worked! My computer is working now.
 
glad you got it
functional again.

incidentally, if you
suspect that heating
might be a factor,
don't hesitate to keep
the side panel unmounted
and have a little desk
fan pointed at the unit
to provide more air flow.
 
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