Computer Question

[Professor S]

Yesterday, I came home to my computer giving me problems. (XP Related)

First, it rebooted itself everytme I logged in as the user.

Finally, I hard booted out of frustration.

Now, I get nothing. The computer is on, fans going, but the screen is black and the mother board doesn't even register. Just a black screen. The hard drive never initiates.

Any help?

[manasecret]

Well now, time to diagnose!

My initial guess is that the problem lies within either the motherboard or the hard drive. So my suggestion is to deduce down to which one it is.

How?

To figure out if the motherboard is the problem, I would unplug the hard drive's data cable from the motherboard, and then power up the computer. If your motherboard is okay, you should be able to get to the BIOS screen without any problem, as the hard drive of course is just a boot device to get from the BIOS to Windows. Without it connected, you just won't be able to load windows. Try pressing buttons like F2 or Ctrl-D or all of the F1-12 buttons when you first turn on the computer, to see if you can get to the BiOS settings.

If you don't get to the BIOS screen, then voila! You've figured out it's the motherboard! Right? Well....... not really. At this point you've only figured out the hard drive is not the problem. It could be the RAM or the CPU or the motherboard -- and possibly the videocard, but you can safely unplug that and still be able to get to the BIOS screen. EDIT: Well, you can get to the screen, but you wouldn't be able to see it.

If you CAN get to the BIOS screen, then it's almost definitely the hard drive. Now you should have the data cable unplugged, but the hard drive's power cable should still be in. When you power the computer, do you hear it revving up? If you can't hear it, can you feel it moving? (Just put your hand on the outer case of the hard drive.) If you can't hear or feel it powering up or spinning around, then try switching power cables. If it STILL doesn't power up, then you can be pretty sure it's the hard drive.

OoooooOoooh.... this flowchart looks helpful. For diagnosing RAM and CPU this looks like a lot of help: http://www.fonerbooks.com/cpu_ram.htm

[Professor S]

Oh fuck...

My head hurts just readin that. Thanks for the help, though. It convinced me to buy a new PC :D

[Typhoid]

I know I have the lamest answers to questions for this stuff, but you've clearly done the retard check and made sure all the plugs in the back, and wires are connected properly, right.

[manasecret]

Sorry I have confus-ed you. It's a lot simpler than it sounds -- don't let the unknown scare you!

Few easy steps:

1. Take the outer case of the computer off. Probably requires a screwdriver to take off four or five screws, and then just slide off the side of case. (Some cases differ, this is probably the hardest step and it has nothing to do with electronics!).

2. Find the hard drive. It will be in a slot somewhere below the CD-ROM, probably in a metal case of some sort.

3. There are two cables coming from the hard drive. Unplug BOTH.

4. Turn on the computer. Does anything happen? Does the screen show anything?

[thatmariolover]

Unplug the power cord from your computer before you go to the work of doing anything else. Some mobo's get a surge and then won't boot up if you don't let the electricty dissipate.

[manasecret]

Unplug the power cord from your computer before you go to the work of doing anything else. Some mobo's get a surge and then won't boot up if you don't let the electricty dissipate.

Yes, yes, very good point. I forgot the most important step.

[GameMaster]

Oh fuck...

My head hurts just readin that. Thanks for the help, though. It convinced me to buy a new PC :D

I thought you already got a new PC not too long ago.

Or am I just daft today?

[thatmariolover]

http://www.gametavern.net/forums/showthread.php?t=15284

I think he did?

[Professor S]

Yeah, I got a new one not that long ago, but I got it from CyberPower and its been a complete mess since I got it. I had to buy a new vid card for it immediately and re-install many of the drivers. The architecture is a complete and utter clusterfuck.

Never use CyberPower or their "sister site", IBuyPower. Same company.