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Thread ID: 79456 2007-05-20 22:31:00 PC not booting, one long BIOS beep autechre (266) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
551570 2007-05-20 22:31:00 My PC died last week. The motherboard is getting power as all the fans spin up and the LEDs on board light up, but the PC doesn't display anything on screen.

I get one long beep when it's trying to POST and it repeats every few seconds.

I've tried swapping out RAM & video card, anything else I could try? or is the board/CPU toasted?

If it is toast, anyone know where you can still get new AMD socket-A boards from? :)
It looks like I may need to finally upgrade. Whats the minimum PSU I need for a dual-core Intel box with 2 HDDs, 2 optical drives?

Sorry for all the questions, but I need to revive my PC :)
autechre (266)
551571 2007-05-20 23:00:00 I doubt you'll find any Socket A's around these days.

Unless u find one on Trademe or something. Or do a search on Pricespy.
Speedy Gonzales (78)
551572 2007-05-20 23:12:00 beep codes...
www.5starsupport.com
SolMiester (139)
551573 2007-05-20 23:16:00 I would first check the bios battery and the Ram(memory) seating. That one beep can be either of these from what I can remember off the top of my head. Good luck. JackStraw (6573)
551574 2007-05-20 23:56:00 beep codes...
www.5starsupport.com

Thanks but already checked those, they don't help. It has an Award BIOS, but none of the codes correspond with one i'm getting.

I might clear the BIOS & see if it makes any difference but it looks like the CPU or board has failed.

What a PITA.
autechre (266)
551575 2007-05-21 02:09:00 can't help you with the startup - mb problem, but as for the question regarding PSU:

Any good quality 400W+ PSU is fine for a mainstream PC, if you want to install top end video cards or SLI arrangements you need to go up to 550-600W or more. 8800GTS for example specifies at least 26Amps available on the 12v rail ( single card ). You could get away with 350W but it is pushing your luck a little.

I have a X2 3800+ with 7600GT, 5x HDD, 2x DVDRW drives, 1G DDR2 RAM all running quite happily on a thermaltake purepower 420W psu. Interestingly enough it's all running off a 350VA UPS with a stated capacity of 210W without overloading.

For my games machine with an 8800GTS I use a silverstone 600W psu, these cost about $220 and it's worth considering a quality PSU to protect your investment - after all it's foolish to run $1500 upwards of equipment on an "el cheapo" $50 400W psu that'll **** itself if it ever has to supply anything like 400W
dugimodo (138)
551576 2007-05-21 04:10:00 Thanks dugimodo. I have a Thermaltake PSU in there currently - I think its 430W.
Just unsure whether it will have the necessary connections for a more modern m/board :)

At this stage, if my current board is dead, I will probably go for a 7900GS instead of the 8xxx range. So it sounds like the current PSU should hold up ok.
autechre (266)
551577 2007-05-21 06:16:00 At this stage, if my current board is dead, I will probably go for a 7900GS instead of the 8xxx range. So it sounds like the current PSU should hold up ok.

I doubt it. Its one of their cheaper ones. Not enough amps for my liking.
pctek (84)
551578 2007-05-22 07:09:00 Howdy

Exactly the same thing happened to an old socket A board of mine.
Same sort of beep. Board was toast.

Luckily my sister's PC also had a socket A board, so everything back up and running.

Looks like you'll have to upgrade, good an excuse as any ;)

cheers

Ravage
Ravage (6815)
551579 2007-05-22 07:18:00 BIOS settings are used after the POST . You're not getting into the POST, so clearing the settings, or setting defaults probably won't help . But it won't harm, either, and trying to get into the setup is a good idea, so set the defaults and save them if you do get in .

But I'd look for something shorted . Try removing the memory, then all plugin cards .
Graham L (2)
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