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Thread ID: 126520	2012-09-02 08:23:00	Computer just died!	camo (4895)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
1298374	2012-09-02 08:23:00	Hi, I was using my Compaq desktop computer, when - all of a sudden - the screen scrambled, and wouldn't go back to normal. I switched it off, but now it won't boot up. When I turn it back on, the power switches, on, the CD light blinks, and the fans all start going. But there is no hard drive "thinking" lights. I have no boot screen, no sign of life onscreen whatsoever when it is turned on. I have tried a different hard drive with no luck - but even if the HDD was faulty, I would still see a BIOS bootup screen, wouldn't I? It was running on the mobo graphics, after my Radeon card died a couple of months back. What do you guys think? Dead mobo / cpu?	camo (4895)
1298375	2012-09-02 08:47:00	Could it be the power supply?	Nick G (16709)
1298376	2012-09-02 09:08:00	Screen scrambled? I'd suspect either PSU for the gfx card or the Gfx card has died. Try borrow a gfx card or PSU and test out. Other than that it would be the whole mobo, correct me if I'm wrong but no other reason for there being no BIOS screen.	The Error Guy (14052)
1298377	2012-09-02 09:15:00	Screen scrambled? I'd suspect either PSU for the gfx card or the Gfx card has died. Try borrow a gfx card or PSU and test out. Other than that it would be the whole mobo, correct me if I'm wrong but no other reason for there being no BIOS screen. Yeah, the whole screen scrambled, like diagonal lines etc. If the power supply was dead, would the box still turn on, lights fans etc? I think you're right, if there is no BIOS screen (or anything on the monitor at all) the mobo is dead?	camo (4895)
1298378	2012-09-02 09:26:00	If the psu was dead it wouldnt turn on. If the psu is dying and isn't outputting enough power the graphics card could be unable to function properly. Edit: just read that you are using onboard. Could be motherboard. The thing is a dying psu can make problems that may suggest other components failing appear.	icow (15313)
1298379	2012-09-02 10:42:00	Try reseating the RAM	fnphoto (2434)
1298380	2012-09-02 10:57:00	Other than that it would be the whole mobo, correct me if I'm wrong but no other reason for there being no BIOS screen. Actually there can be. I have a customers Acer PC here. It was doing similar, fans turned on, was making all the right noises ( single Beep for POST) yet no graphics, when it crashed she said it flickered then went off. Did a BIOS reset, changed the Battery as well, changed PSU, Changed RAM- both Graphic Card, and onboard Graphics (after removing the card) didn't work, the screen wouldn't even change its LED from Amber ( off) to green, tried the Graphic Card on another PC and its fine - every thing was showing signs of Failed Motherboard, No BIOS at all. Tried a different HDD and it fired up. Tried the Original HDD and that stopped everything again - OK possible HDD problem. After I cloned the Drive on another PC to save the data, wiped the original drive clean of all partitions etc ( there was a recovery Acer partition) it boots fine now. A full HDD check all is well, no bad sectors, the SMART shows its good etc. Reinstalled windows and now its working fine for the last 3 days. The only reason I can think of is, there was a massive problem in the OS or the recovery Partition was corrupted and somehow stopped it from booting even into the BIOS.	wainuitech (129)
1298381	2012-09-02 11:52:00	It was doing similar, fans turned on, was making all the right noises ( single Beep for POST) yet no graphics Hey, i've got no single beep for POST - what does that mean?	camo (4895)
1298382	2012-09-02 12:14:00	Single beep is normal. Multiple beeps and continuos beeps signal problems.	icow (15313)
1298383	2012-09-02 12:24:00	Do you have access to another computer to try a diff PSU or a diff video card? Basing on the others responses - you have tried a diff HDD - what about a Linux live CD .... (or maybe more approp - dettach the HDD and see if it starts up). How old is the computer? If you have to change significant parts, maybe it's more worth it to get a new motherboard/cpu/ram upgrade for say up to $300. Yeah tried reseating the RAM? Or if you have multiple pieces try it with just one piece, try them all out with just one .....	Nomad (952)
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