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Thread ID: 81772 2007-08-06 21:59:00 Computer won't Boot intermittently B.M. (505) Press F1
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577322 2007-08-06 21:59:00 Two things.

I’ve got this computer here that intermittently won’t boot.

The Fans come on but that’s where it ends.

No POST Code, monitor still in standby, I think the HDD may be doing something (no light), but that’s it.

When it does Boot everything is fine. I’ve run MEM386 test and the RAM tests fine and just for the hell of it I’ve tested the HDD with the Western Electrical test utility (I don’t think the computer has got as far as asking the HDD to do anything, but anyway) and that too is fine.

When the fault is on the only things that seem to do anything are the Fans and the Power Switch.

Any suggestions?

Whilst I’m on the subject, is there a good utility for testing the CPU?
B.M. (505)
577323 2007-08-06 22:09:00 And whats the brand/model of the mobo?

I dont think there's anything to test all of the CPU.

There are programs around, that show u what a CPU supports.
Speedy Gonzales (78)
577324 2007-08-06 22:19:00 I had a similar problem a couple of years ago. Replaced the CMOS battery and all was well. FoxyMX (5)
577325 2007-08-06 22:49:00 BIOS Batt. reads 3.1v so I don't think its that although I'll remove it and reinstall it in case of a faulty connection.

The next time it boots I'll run Belac Advisor and get a print out of M/B details etc.

As a matter of interest, in a case like this, how do you guys differentiate between a CPU fault and a MB fault?

Hold the phone I'll be back. :D
B.M. (505)
577326 2007-08-06 22:56:00 possible bad capacitors on teh mobo or in the powersupply .....these will give that exact symptom.....sometimes it'll boot sometiems it wont.......look for bulging tops on the caps..... drcspy (146)
577327 2007-08-06 23:03:00 Depends how much of the CPU is stuffed, if the CPU is the prob.

Altho the last CPU I had, it still worked / I could boot into XP etc.

The main symptom was, it crashed constantly, coz 1/2 of it was fried.

I would say if it was a mobo fault (like capacitors), you'll see it. If you looked at the mobo.

It may also depend on whether u hear any strange beeps, when you turn the system on. Thats if there's a speaker in the case.

But here, I cant hear any beeps, because these havent got speakers in them.

The cases dont have the space for one. Unless I brought one of those piezo electric speakers. Which would probably deafen me.

If it went off.
Speedy Gonzales (78)
577328 2007-08-06 23:11:00 Even though you've done a ram test, bad ram will still give those symptoms. If it has 2 sticks, try booting with one out, swap them about etc mmmork (6822)
577329 2007-08-06 23:28:00 Thanks Guys, I’m still working on it .

The capacitors look fine, no bulging or sign of leakage .

Its definitely got a speaker because when it does boot I get the normal one beep .

God I hate intermittent faults! :badpc:

I’ll leave the Mem test run over night as I only did two passes .

That’s when and if I can get it to boot again . :blush:
B.M. (505)
577330 2007-08-07 00:25:00 Just as an aside, when I completely remove the RAM and try to boot I get three short beeps a space then three short beeps again which is continuously repeated.

I guess that means the BIOS is alive. :confused:
B.M. (505)
577331 2007-08-07 00:28:00 I guess that means the BIOS is alive. :confused:

Yes... :illogical
wratterus (105)
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