computer won't boot

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Guest

I'm using windows xp prof, I never had anything like this happen to me
before on any other Windows operating system or any other monitor/computer.
I was at my desktop, and the system started shutting down. The shut down
got hung up, so I pushed the reset button, and the system started to reboot
(I never got back to my desktop), and hanging up, again I pushed the reset
button. One of the times I pushed the reset button, I heard 3 error beeps (1
long 2 short). I looked the beep error up, and the documentation indicated
it might be the graphics/video card. I checked with the person I got the pc
from to find out how old the card is, and was told it is only a couple of
years old.
The monitor screen starts up with a black background and a "monitor self
test" box that moves around the screen. The light on the monitor is green
when I first start (plug in the CPU) and then turns amber. I tried the
monitor
on another computer and the monitor worked fine.
The CPU's power light comes on and there is also a yellow light that is lit
(but since I can't power down normally, I'm unplugging the CPU). When I
push the power button (plug the CPU in) the only thing I can hear are the
fans. I probably only had the computer on for 1/2 hour and there are 4
cooling fans in the case so I don't believe the computer is overheating.

End result now the system won't reboot, and it seems as though there's no
connection between the CPU and the monitor. Can this CPU be saved and/or
the info on my hard drive? I want to do as much trouble shooting as
possible, before invest in a new graphics/video card or take it to one of
those expensive
technicians. Please Help
Thanks
 
The fact the system will not boot, other things being equal, should not have
screwed with your hard drive. Since the monitor works on a different system
I would try a different video card (or the built in video if it is part of
the motherboard).
 
sandy said:
I'm using windows xp prof, I never had anything like this happen to me
before on any other Windows operating system or any other monitor/computer.
I was at my desktop, and the system started shutting down. The shut down
got hung up, so I pushed the reset button, and the system started to reboot
(I never got back to my desktop), and hanging up, again I pushed the reset
button. One of the times I pushed the reset button, I heard 3 error beeps (1
long 2 short). I looked the beep error up, and the documentation indicated
it might be the graphics/video card. I checked with the person I got the pc
from to find out how old the card is, and was told it is only a couple of
years old.
The monitor screen starts up with a black background and a "monitor self
test" box that moves around the screen. The light on the monitor is green
when I first start (plug in the CPU) and then turns amber. I tried the
monitor
on another computer and the monitor worked fine.
The CPU's power light comes on and there is also a yellow light that is lit
(but since I can't power down normally, I'm unplugging the CPU). When I
push the power button (plug the CPU in) the only thing I can hear are the
fans. I probably only had the computer on for 1/2 hour and there are 4
cooling fans in the case so I don't believe the computer is overheating.

End result now the system won't reboot, and it seems as though there's no
connection between the CPU and the monitor. Can this CPU be saved and/or
the info on my hard drive? I want to do as much trouble shooting as
possible, before invest in a new graphics/video card or take it to one of
those expensive
technicians. Please Help
Thanks
Click to expand...

The obvious problem seems to be the video card and it really does not
matter just how old it currently is. Test by borrowing a video card,
install it and turn on the computer. If the video card is the problem,
then replace it. Otherwise, depending on your technical knowledge, some
trouble-shooting by a computer shop may be needed.

(And, BTW, one cannot rely on the chassis fans to determine whether or
not the CPU is being adequately cooled. The CPU typically has its own
fan (or ventilation system) to keep it cool and if the CPU overheats,
it will promptly be shut down...hopefully in time.
 
Try tapping F8 right after booting the machine to see if you can get the Startup
Menu. If it you get to the Startup Menu select Safe Mode and see if it will boot
there. If it does boot to Safe Mode remove any/all devices listed as Display
Adapters in Device Manager, close out and reboot.

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
 
Or try Last Good Condition. You also might try the BIOS
setup, it may have been corrupted.


| Try tapping F8 right after booting the machine to see if
you can get the Startup
| Menu. If it you get to the Startup Menu select Safe Mode
and see if it will boot
| there. If it does boot to Safe Mode remove any/all
devices listed as Display
| Adapters in Device Manager, close out and reboot.
|
| --
|
| Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
| Conflicts start where information lacks.
| http://basconotw.mvps.org/
|
| Suggested posting do's/don'ts:
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
| How to ask a question:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
|
|
|
message
| | > I'm using windows xp prof, I never had anything like
this happen to me
| > before on any other Windows operating system or any
other monitor/computer.
| > I was at my desktop, and the system started shutting
down. The shut down
| > got hung up, so I pushed the reset button, and the
system started to reboot
| > (I never got back to my desktop), and hanging up, again
I pushed the reset
| > button. One of the times I pushed the reset button, I
heard 3 error beeps (1
| > long 2 short). I looked the beep error up, and the
documentation indicated
| > it might be the graphics/video card. I checked with the
person I got the pc
| > from to find out how old the card is, and was told it is
only a couple of
| > years old.
| > The monitor screen starts up with a black background and
a "monitor self
| > test" box that moves around the screen. The light on the
monitor is green
| > when I first start (plug in the CPU) and then turns
amber. I tried the
| > monitor
| > on another computer and the monitor worked fine.
| > The CPU's power light comes on and there is also a
yellow light that is lit
| > (but since I can't power down normally, I'm unplugging
the CPU). When I
| > push the power button (plug the CPU in) the only thing I
can hear are the
| > fans. I probably only had the computer on for 1/2 hour
and there are 4
| > cooling fans in the case so I don't believe the computer
is overheating.
| >
| > End result now the system won't reboot, and it seems as
though there's no
| > connection between the CPU and the monitor. Can this CPU
be saved and/or
| > the info on my hard drive? I want to do as much trouble
shooting as
| > possible, before invest in a new graphics/video card or
take it to one of
| > those expensive
| > technicians. Please Help
| > Thanks
| > --
| > sandy j
|
 
Hi Brian,
Thanks for your reply..
I tried tapping the f8 key, but the problem is I don't know if the CPU is
booting or not. After tapping the F8 key, there isn't any change to/on the
monitor.
 
eJerry,
Thanks for your reply..I have a very small circle of friends and
unfortunately for me I seem to be the most computer savvy (which isn't much).
I will try to locate someone who will let me open up their computer and
remove parts, so I can try your suggestion.
 
Thanks for your reply, you provided me with some information I wasn't aware
of, concerning the fans.
 
You do them both at the same time, press the power button
and release and repeatedly press the F8 button, this must be
done BEFORE Windows tries to boot.

message
| Hi Brian,
| Thanks for your reply..
| I tried tapping the f8 key, but the problem is I don't
know if the CPU is
| booting or not. After tapping the F8 key, there isn't any
change to/on the
| monitor.
| --
| sandy j
|
|
| "Brian A." wrote:
|
| > Try tapping F8 right after booting the machine to see
if you can get the Startup
| > Menu. If it you get to the Startup Menu select Safe
Mode and see if it will boot
| > there. If it does boot to Safe Mode remove any/all
devices listed as Display
| > Adapters in Device Manager, close out and reboot.
| >
| > --
| >
| > Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
| > Conflicts start where information lacks.
| > http://basconotw.mvps.org/
| >
| > Suggested posting do's/don'ts:
http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
| > How to ask a question:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
| >
| >
| >
message
| >
| > > I'm using windows xp prof, I never had anything like
this happen to me
| > > before on any other Windows operating system or any
other monitor/computer.
| > > I was at my desktop, and the system started shutting
down. The shut down
| > > got hung up, so I pushed the reset button, and the
system started to reboot
| > > (I never got back to my desktop), and hanging up,
again I pushed the reset
| > > button. One of the times I pushed the reset button, I
heard 3 error beeps (1
| > > long 2 short). I looked the beep error up, and the
documentation indicated
| > > it might be the graphics/video card. I checked with
the person I got the pc
| > > from to find out how old the card is, and was told it
is only a couple of
| > > years old.
| > > The monitor screen starts up with a black background
and a "monitor self
| > > test" box that moves around the screen. The light on
the monitor is green
| > > when I first start (plug in the CPU) and then turns
amber. I tried the
| > > monitor
| > > on another computer and the monitor worked fine.
| > > The CPU's power light comes on and there is also a
yellow light that is lit
| > > (but since I can't power down normally, I'm unplugging
the CPU). When I
| > > push the power button (plug the CPU in) the only thing
I can hear are the
| > > fans. I probably only had the computer on for 1/2
hour and there are 4
| > > cooling fans in the case so I don't believe the
computer is overheating.
| > >
| > > End result now the system won't reboot, and it seems
as though there's no
| > > connection between the CPU and the monitor. Can this
CPU be saved and/or
| > > the info on my hard drive? I want to do as much
trouble shooting as
| > > possible, before invest in a new graphics/video card
or take it to one of
| > > those expensive
| > > technicians. Please Help
| > > Thanks
| > > --
| > > sandy j
| >
| >
 
Hi Jim,
Thanks for your reply, unfortunately I can't get to the BIOS, I'm not sure
the CPU is going through any of the booting process. When I plug the CPU in,
all I can hear are the fans.
 
Thanks Jim, I tried your suggestion, plugging the power cord into the CPU
and pressing the F8 key at the same time and still nothing. But now I have a
new problem, the computer won't turn on at all. Fortunately for me I hadn't
unassembled the pokey computer I was replacing.
 
sandy j said:
Thanks Jim, I tried your suggestion, plugging the power cord into the CPU
and pressing the F8 key at the same time and still nothing. But now I have a
new problem, the computer won't turn on at all. Fortunately for me I hadn't
unassembled the pokey computer I was replacing.
Click to expand...

What is the make/model of the problem machine?

Also try this and see if it will boot and get you to the BIOS setup.
Make sure the power cord is not connected/unplugged.
Remove the cover from the case and locate the CMOS battery.
Once located remove the CMOS battery and press/hold in the power switch for approx 10
sec. and release it.
Keep the CMOS battery out for approx 5 min.
After 5min. reinsert the CMOS battery.
Connect/Plug-in the power cord and Start the machine.

Post back with the results.


--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375
 
Jerry,
took the computer to a Tech, and found one of the memory clips was/is bad.

Thanks again for your help
 
I took the computer to a Tech....one of the memory clips was/is bad.

Thanks again for your help
 
Hi Brian,

I took the computer to a Tech...one of the memory clips is/was bad.

Thanks again for your help
 
Hi Jim,

I took the computer to a Tech...one of the memory clips is/was bad....
Thanks again for your help
 
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