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| Thread ID: 65800 | 2006-01-31 08:34:00 | PC wont POST | stephen (9719) | Press F1 |
| Post ID | Timestamp | Content | User | ||
| 425709 | 2006-01-31 08:34:00 | I just bought a new 250GB external hard drive for my laptop. its a Seagate Model No. ST3250823A, with an 3.5" Portable Hard Disk Drive case. I installed the hard drive in the case and hooked it all up to my computer. A wee pop-up balloon in the notification area of the taskbar said that the 'USB device has malfunctioned. Please disconnect and reconnect the device, or contact your local dealer'. I did this, and as soon as i reconnected the USB cable to the computer, the whole system locked up. Nothing would respond, i was listening to an MP3, that just went to a repeating noise, nothing would work. I pushed the reset button on the computer, and now the computer wont POST. No beep codes, nothing. Fans are running, so its not the power supply (i dont think). At the moment, all that is connected to the motherboard is the CPU, and it still doesn't come up with any beep-codes. I tried the external hard drive on my laptop, which is where im writing this from, and installed and formatted it without a hitch. Both systems are XP SP2 Pro, with all updates, virus protection etc. I hope that it isn't a problem with the CPU. (Intel P4 2.4B Ghz). I've already had to have had it replaced once since i built the system myself in June 2003. Specs are: Intel P4 2.4, 512MB Ram, 80GB HDD, Asus P4P800S SE Motherboard. Any help appreciated, and as to WHY this sort of thing would happen... |
stephen (9719) | ||
| 425710 | 2006-01-31 11:50:00 | You've done all the usual things like, reseating cables and connectors? Have you got anything you can test the cpu in? Can you confirm the, working, condition of the parts you removed (other than the new HDD), that they haven't fried and taken something out with them. Do you ahve a dual BIOS, very long shot but it could have corrupted. It would seem as if you're down to the CPU or motherboard though. Seems a bit fishy going through 2 CPU's, it happens but, worth checking the board to ensure it's not going to happen a 3rd time. Edit: Shi..te!! just noticed your rego date Stephen, congrats on your first post, that's going to give the post count a huge % boost. Don't be a stranger ;) |
Murray P (44) | ||
| 425711 | 2006-02-01 01:13:00 | Ouch. :( I don't think it's related to your external hard drive; just one of those freaky coincidences. I'd disconnect everything possible, including disconnecting all drives. If you have on-board video, pull out the video card too. Pull out any other remaining boards. You should have only a standard non-USB keyboard, PSU and a video monitor hooked to the motherboard. Hopefully you'll hear that sweet beep, and something will show up on the monitor. Then you can slowly reconnect components till it stops working again. |
kingdragonfly (309) | ||
| 425712 | 2006-02-01 08:28:00 | Thanks for the replies guys. Yup, i did the usual things, disconnect cables etc. One question, should the BIOS give a beep code if there is no CPU installed? I took out EVERYTHING, so the only thing connected to the motherboard was the 20-pin power connecter, and the power switch connecter to the case. Nothing. Even with just the CPU, same thing. Lights, fans, but no POST. Does this mean CPU? Or motherboard.... Im still puzzled as to why this has just 'randomly' happened.... |
stephen (9719) | ||
| 425713 | 2006-02-01 10:05:00 | I just bought a new 250GB external hard drive for my laptop. its a Seagate Model No. ST3250823A, with an 3.5" Portable Hard Disk Drive case. I installed the hard drive in the case and hooked it all up to my computer. A wee pop-up balloon in the notification area of the taskbar said that the 'USB device has malfunctioned. Please disconnect and reconnect the device, or contact your local dealer'. I did this, and as soon as i reconnected the USB cable to the computer, the whole system locked up. Nothing would respond, i was listening to an MP3, that just went to a repeating noise, nothing would work. I pushed the reset button on the computer, and now the computer wont POST. No beep codes, nothing. Fans are running, so its not the power supply (i dont think). At the moment, all that is connected to the motherboard is the CPU, and it still doesn't come up with any beep-codes. I tried the external hard drive on my laptop, which is where im writing this from, and installed and formatted it without a hitch. Both systems are XP SP2 Pro, with all updates, virus protection etc. I hope that it isn't a problem with the CPU. (Intel P4 2.4B Ghz). I've already had to have had it replaced once since i built the system myself in June 2003. Specs are: Intel P4 2.4, 512MB Ram, 80GB HDD, Asus P4P800S SE Motherboard. Any help appreciated, and as to WHY this sort of thing would happen... Just becuase fans are spinning and so forth doesnt mean its not the power supply. A system can boot into windows and do other things, but when a certain task is asked to be done which uses a bit more grunt than the usual Windows Idoling, then the system can die. I would test with a new/diffrerent PSU if possible. Also, certain devices can halt the boot process, are you trying to boot hte system with the external HDD connected ?. if so, pull it out and boot. |
Jams (1051) | ||
| 425714 | 2006-02-01 10:11:00 | Just becuase fans are spinning and so forth doesnt mean its not the power supply. A system can boot into windows and do other things, but when a certain task is asked to be done which uses a bit more grunt than the usual Windows Idoling, then the system can die. I would test with a new/diffrerent PSU if possible. Also, certain devices can halt the boot process, are you trying to boot hte system with the external HDD connected ?. if so, pull it out and boot. True. I saw this the other day. No video signal, but fans all merrily spinning. Grab another PSU and we have some more life back. |
gibler (49) | ||
| 425715 | 2006-02-01 22:10:00 | One question, should the BIOS give a beep code if there is no CPU installed? Some motherboard have a speaker header for a small case speaker. It's NOT meant for "full blown" sound, just beeps during POST and if there's no sound device installed. Other motherboard will feature a tiny speaker on the motherboard for the same purpose. Check the motherboard manual. |
kingdragonfly (309) | ||
| 425716 | 2006-02-02 00:48:00 | hmm... its a ThermalTake 420W power supply, i thought that it would be more than enough. will try another though. thanks for the help tho guys. | stephen (9719) | ||
| 425717 | 2006-02-02 01:03:00 | A 420W supply should be plenty. :D A USB device can pull a whole 2.5W . I don't think that would bother the PSU, which should be able to provide at least 600W briefly while starting disks etc. There is something wrong. I don't think it should do anything without a CPU. It certainly can't run the POST code, which is the usual provider of beeps. :D There are other processors on the motherboard ... hidden in the I/O packages. |
Graham L (2) | ||
| 425718 | 2006-02-02 02:01:00 | If it was the CPU, could you tell? eg like if I left it running for a wee while, then took it out, would it feel warm if it was working? Or would it just feel warm regardless... | stephen (9719) | ||
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