phantasm40

There was a thread, "My computer will not boot up" from 2002. Seems I have exactly the same problem.
I took an old PII 400 MHz someone was about to toss and fixed it up. It has a Soyo SY-6BB Mobo and a Slot 1 PII processor (SECC 1). It was running like a new computer for over a month with no problems whatsoever. Then, while left on overnight, it just died and began emitting the "High-Low" beep code for an AWARD BIOS. Normally that can mean the processor is not seated properly, the CPU cooling fan is not working, the RAM is bad, the video card is shot, or the motherboard itself is gone. When I tried to restart, it did the same thing and the light on my monitor goes amber. I have no way of getting to the BIOS. I've swapped out the RAM, the Video Card, re-seated all the connections, swapped out the CMOS battery and still...nothing but the British ambulance sound effect. I can hear the HD spin down, but nothing else. I understand it's rare for a CPU to burn out, so does anyone have any ideas or suggestions that might help? Has anyone experienced this before and found a solution?

idtent

Try a new power supply

phantasm40

It can't be the power supply because the fan is still spinning and the air flow is good...the CPU fan is also turning. Is it possible the CPU heatsink is malfunctioning anyway and sending some sort of signal that the processor is overheating? I'm completely lost on this! Is there a way to test one or the other?

dai

you can check bios beep codes here
www.bioscentral.com
just because fans turn does'nt mean the p/s is ok.they dont pull much power

idtent

Power supply can still be bad.

Volt-Schwibe

well, the power supply is more complicated than just works or doesn't.

ATX power supplies put out three different voltages, any one of which can go bad.

of these we have:

12volt = usually 2 branches internally, of which either can go bad. this is the most powerful branch. and the least likely to fail. your fans almost always run from this 12volt.

5volt = usually only one branch internally, this is a less powerful branch, and can oftentimes become overloaded. this will cause the CPU to not power up.

3.3volt = usually only one branch internally, this is the least powerful branch, but usually has the least load. this branch failing is rare, but will also cause the CPU to not power up.

this doesnt even mention some power supplies with odd voltages, but this covers them all in some respect.

so what i am getting at is many times i see machines power up but not post, and it turns out to be a dead 5 volt or 3.3 volt branch. (remember, not all power supplies check for a load on all branches before powering up, so some will still start when half dead.)

phantasm40

Thank you all for your responses. I learned something about power supplies anyway. I pulled a working one from another computer and still no go...very frustrating. I then attempted to get something on the monitor by pulling everything except the floppy, the video card (which I already tried swapping out), the PS, and the CPU and heatsink...NOTHING! Well almost nothing except the High-Low beeps. I am about to give up on this...I really don't want to go out and buy a new CPU just to find out that it's the Mobo. The worst of it is that the computer was running so unbelievably well for over a month without any signs that there was a problem. Oh, btw...I did check the monitor on another system...it's fine. Anyway...if anyone out there has any more ideas, I'd be glad to test them out...at this point I'd install a hamster on a wheel if someone suggested it.

dai

have you checked what the bios beeps are telling,thats what they are there for to pinpoint the problem

dome625

Your best bet is to identify the beep code and if possible try a known good power supply.

delvis

dude i no how you feel. i just posted a new thread before i saw yours. ive got two comps doing the high low british ambulance sound. one the fans keep going and the other the cpu fan and everything shuts down but the high low keeps going. like you i have tried two different power supplies. new ram. a new mobo on one comp and same thing. im preaty good with software problems. but hardware problems kick my as@#. sorry im no help but maybe we can get some more people to post.

phantasm40

Well...from all the sources I could find regarding the beep code...it usually means that the CPU is not seated properly or the CPU fan isn't functioning properly (Award Bios), but their beep codes aren't exactly precision. The site (Phoenix Technologies) has a walk thru that does not particularly help because the closest thing to describe the British Ambulance effect is the High-Low, but preceeded by a series of other beeps. Mine just cuts straight to the chase.
The PS I pulled, came from a working system and was relatively new so, unfortunately, it can't be that.
Thanks for letting me know I'm not the only one suffering from this frustration Delvis...I've recently contacted someone selling a 400 MHZ Slot 1 CPU with fan for $15...it's well worth the price to end my curiosity and I'll let everyone know how it turns out. Thanks again all!

dai

reseat the cpu when it gets to hot it auto shuts down to protect it.here is a guide that may be helpful
http://www.arcticsilver.com/arctic_s...structions.htm
also check the bios in some you can set the upper tempreture before shutdown and it may be set to low
check the cpu fan is not faulty

phantasm40

Those are all good suggestions Dai...I thought maybe that I could get away with doing precisely that... I cannot get to the Bios though so I cannot change the setting on temperature. I tried out another CPU with fan that was in good working order and still the infernal British Ambulance effect and no post. I cannot imagine there is anything more I can do now, but resign myself to the fact that my motherboard is shot. Thank you to everyone who attempted to help...your advice, regardless of my inability to resurrect this computer, was well worth reading. At least I learned something from the experience!

uzziel

I've read that if the CPU fan is not spinning fast enough it will shut down the CPU to keep it from overheating. This prevents the system from doing its post.

Try holding down the insert key on the keyboard during power-up and see if your system will boot. On some system holding down the insert key will bypass a faulty CPU fan warning. You can usually disable this warning in the bios or try replacing the fan.

traciefaithe

I am having the same issue as discussed here...I've swapped out the prc, pwr supply, cords, cards and even the mobo - I don't have the hideous sound, but the system makes all the right startup noises but goes nowhere. The monitor shows a self test screen and the box sounds like it's posting (yes - I've swapped out the monitor...grrrr. ) I went to verify jumpers on the orig mobo (compaq spare #191767-102, part #157126-102) and cannot for the life of me find a word of tech specs on it! HP of course, is not forthcoming...any suggestions would be greatly appreciated from the newbie....thanks in advance.

dai

traciefaithe
start your own thread and monitor any similar,although they may apprear the same usually they are not and a wrong instruction can be followed causing more problems
press f8 when booting and choose safe mode and see if you get it up onscreen