possibly mechanical question re: compaq CPU not starting when switched on...

compaqquestion · Aug-25-2004

hi,

i bought a desktop PC in fine working order. it's a compaq pentium II (originally built in late '98) with a cd-r, cd-rw and floppy disk drives (the cd-rw was installed at a later date by someone...). nothing fancy, but it worked fine when i linked all the wires up only a week ago.

now, the actual main unit won't start. it looks almost as if there is some kind of safety cut-out happening. when i switch on the power, the two display lights at the front blink, but nothing else happens - the fan doesn't start, you can't open the CD drives etc. etc. power must be getting to it, but it is stopping itself from turning on for some reason. you can hear a little quiet click or sparking sound, but i can't tell where it's coming from.

i was told by the guy i bought the computer from, that this is because the safety features of the unit means the surround needs to be fixed securely into place, and a metal 'arm' inside, which you can remove and replace in order to change some kind of components, needs to be clicked solidly into place. he said either of these could have gone wrong during moving, and i could correct it.

but... after clicking the 'arm' in securely and tightening the case so it is totally flush and secure, i still have the same problem. i don't understand how it started either - just in the middle of me typing a letter. i can believe that i maybe gave the CPU a slight knock or something like that, but why would it not have been rectified now?

any tips/suggestions? are there any connections which i need to ensure are made within the CPU? i know the power cable and plug etc. are fine, as are my monitor/keyboard/mouse.

thanks in advance

Alan · Aug-26-2004

Check to see if your psu has a built in power surge protection. If it has just flip the switch off on the back of the psu for a few seconds to reset it and then flip it back on and see if that works.
I could be a dead psu, motherboard or ram, so start with the psu.

tyleronline · Sep-04-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan

Check to see if your psu has a built in power surge protection. If it has just flip the switch off on the back of the psu for a few seconds to reset it and then flip it back on and see if that works.
I could be a dead psu, motherboard or ram, so start with the psu.

i have a similair problem when i turn the pc on it sounds normal but only for a few seconds then goes silent a beeping sound can then be heard and this continues until the power is turned off.the power light remains on the whole time so i know power is getting through but it just wont start.prior to this problem the pc worked fine and showed no signs of this problem.

Alan · Sep-04-2004

Does anything load tyleronline or does your machine attempt to start then hang?

tyleronline · Sep-05-2004

no nothing loads at all it just makes a small clicking sound then stops trying and just beeps.i tried resetting the power surge switch on the back after that it got to the login screen then crashed again.i tried a few times after that but it just began beeping and clicking again.do you think it could be a mechanical program?
thanks for your time and reply to original post

Alan · Sep-06-2004

Yes, most likly the hardware listed below is stopping your machine. I will do a little research and get back to you.

Alan · Sep-07-2004

Count the beeps, for example is it 3 short beeps then a slighty longer gap or one long beep followed by one short beep.
The beep code could lead us to the problem so listen to it carefully.

tyleronline · Sep-07-2004

its three beeps, a short pause then three beeps again.
Thanks, Tyler

Alan · Sep-07-2004

If its AMI then 3 short beeps means:

Your computer has memory problems. First, check video. If video is working, you'll see an error message. If not, you have a parity error in your first 64K of memory. Check your SIMMs. Reseat them and reboot. If this doesn't do it, the memory chips may be bad. You can try switching the first and second bank memory chips. First banks are the memory banks in which your CPU finds its first 64K of base memory. You'll need to consult your manual to see which bank is first. If all of your memory tests good, you probably need to buy another motherboard.

If its another type, you can check the beep codes here.

tyleronline · Sep-07-2004

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan

If its AMI then 3 short beeps means:

Your computer has memory problems. First, check video. If video is working, you'll see an error message. If not, you have a parity error in your first 64K of memory. Check your SIMMs. Reseat them and reboot. If this doesn't do it, the memory chips may be bad. You can try switching the first and second bank memory chips. First banks are the memory banks in which your CPU finds its first 64K of base memory. You'll need to consult your manual to see which bank is first. If all of your memory tests good, you probably need to buy another motherboard.

If its another type, you can check the beep codes here.

how do i check the video and SIMMS and if needed reset them?
thanks so much for all your help
tyler

Alan · Sep-07-2004

Not RESET, but RESEAT the chips and card. I think we need a little background info on your machine, make, type and model etc.
The only way you can prove the video card, is to take it out and try it in another machine or likewise try a working card in your machine. The video card is where your monitor is plugged in a the back of the computer. Remove the case, then MOST important making sure its completely unplugged, touch an unpainted part of the metal, NOT the circuitry. This will remove all the static from your body, otherwise you run the danger of destroying components. Unscrew and remove the card, clean the contacts carefully and replace the card. Make sure it is properly seated and screw it home. You can at this point plug in the PC and test it. If there is no change, then disconnect everything and move on to your RAM chips. Again dont forget about the static, remove and clean the pins carefully, then as in the previous post swap the chips over. Connect everything and test once more. If there is still no life, I would be looking at replacing the motherboard.

tyleronline · Sep-07-2004

all i know with regards to the machine information is its an amd athlon with win xp and 512mb ram and a 1.7ghz proceser sorry i cant be of more help.i shall try and do the things you suggested and get back to you.
thanks, tyler.

tyleronline · Sep-08-2004

i have reseated the video card but there is no change.i do noy have another p.c to test the card in but it seemed to be seated properly.i also do not know where the ram chips are to reseat them.thanks in advance, tyler.

Alan · Sep-08-2004

Here is a picture of RAM chips. They will be together in a row.

tyleronline · Sep-08-2004

i took out the ram chip and put it back in and everything is working now except for the internet it keeps saying there is no dial tone? thank you so much for all your help and time, tyler