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| Thread ID: 94971 | 2008-11-19 03:00:00 | Old comp wont post - help! | utopian201 (6245) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 721360 | 2008-11-19 03:00:00 | Hi I have come into possession of an old PC. It is a Compaq with a proprietary motherboard, but it is compact (about the same size as a mini-itx but with more expansion slots). It has integrated graphics. The problem is that it wont post. When I power it up, the PSU and CPU fan spin up, but nothing appears on the screen. There are no beeps. I have tried different RAM, different ram slots as well as a separate PCI graphics card. Although I think I may have to go to the BIOS to disable onboard graphics to get the PCI graphics card to work. Also when I plug the power cable it, the fans start up automatically, instead of me needing to press the power button. I'm not sure if this means anything... I currently do not have any drives plugged in (hdd, cd rom or floppy). Is that required for a POST? What are some other things I can try? |
utopian201 (6245) | ||
| 721361 | 2008-11-19 03:05:00 | Try putting a floppy drive in. The key to enter the BIOS is probably F10, if that helps :p |
jwil1 (65) | ||
| 721362 | 2008-11-19 03:13:00 | Could also be a dead board - one way to check is remove all RAM - fire up the PC, it should beep like crazy indicating no RAM installed. If it doesn't, remove the CMOS battery for about 10-15 minutes - or look on the board for a CMOS Jumper to reset the BIOS, once reset try again - if still no Beeps with out any RAM, the board could be faulty. Got one like that in the workshop at the Mo - DEAD |
wainuitech (129) | ||
| 721363 | 2008-11-19 03:17:00 | Try putting a floppy drive in. The key to enter the BIOS is probably F10, if that helps :p I thought the key to do that was Del? Ill try F10 as well. Could also be a dead board - one way to check is remove all RAM - fire up the PC, it should beep like crazy indicating no RAM installed. If it doesn't, remove the CMOS battery for about 10-15 minutes - or look on the board for a CMOS Jumper to reset the BIOS, once reset try again - if still no Beeps with out any RAM, the board could be faulty. Got one like that in the workshop at the Mo - DEAD Thanks, I'll give those a go when I get home. |
utopian201 (6245) | ||
| 721364 | 2008-11-19 03:44:00 | I thought the key to do that was Del? Ill try F10 as well. For Compaq's and HPs it's F10. |
jwil1 (65) | ||
| 721365 | 2008-11-19 03:53:00 | For Compaq's and HPs it's F10. Not always - its more often F1,F2 or F5 for the BIOS. F10 is system recovery on most if they have a recovery partition. Compaq Boot Screen (www.imagef1.net.nz(Large).JPG) from one of the 5 I have in the workshop currently--- Arrrrgggghhhhh Compaqs every where :lol: |
wainuitech (129) | ||
| 721366 | 2008-11-19 08:16:00 | Hi The keyboard leds don't light up either. Does that mean the keyboard isnt even being recognised by the motherboard? Eg the num lock key doesn't toggle the numlock led. I removed the ram and the board still stays silent. Does this mean the board is dead? |
utopian201 (6245) | ||
| 721367 | 2008-11-19 08:24:00 | Hi The keyboard leds don't light up either. Does that mean the keyboard isnt even being recognised by the motherboard? Eg the num lock key doesn't toggle the numlock led. I removed the ram and the board still stays silent. Does this mean the board is dead? From what is mentioned above and highlighted, it doesn't look to good. From the original Post Also when I plug the power cable it, the fans start up automatically, instead of me needing to press the power button. I'm not sure if this means anything... This along with every thing else could also indicate a faulty Power Supply. If you have access to a spare, floating about unplug the original and plug in a known working PSU. No need to actually fit it in the case, simply the main (Prob) 20pin power and CPU 4 pin if it has one on that board. Also try a different CMOS battery if you have one. I currently do not have any drives plugged in (hdd, cd rom or floppy). Is that required for a POST? No you dont need those connected to get a POST - IF it does post it will start complaining that these devices are not present, which would be right if they are not connected - kind of obvious eh!! :D |
wainuitech (129) | ||
| 721368 | 2008-11-19 09:01:00 | I've tried a different working power supply, and when I switch the power supply on from the back, the computer boots up as with the old power supply. I've also tried resetting the bios as well as removing and then replacing the cmos battery (after waiting 10 mins). Is there anything else I should try? |
utopian201 (6245) | ||
| 721369 | 2008-11-19 09:33:00 | Is there anything else I should try? Last line in My sig Below :D very slight chance something is shorting, you could remove the board from the case, attach the PSU/Keyboard/mouse/Monitor on the bench, plug it into the power - if the PSU fires up as in the case sounds much like a faulty board, if it doesn't automatically startup - locate the header pins from the on button, and short them with a small screwdriver, touch the + & - together (this is what the on button basically does any way) see if it will post - if not more than likely RIP :groan: |
wainuitech (129) | ||
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