zaknafein72

I'm not finding it in PC Wizard either. I assume the voltage readings are supposed to be under Hardware/ Voltage, Temperature and Fans but there is nothing there except for the processor voltage and a couple of temperatures. Is it possible that my system is not reporting voltages at all?

dai

the board cannot have any sensors
see if you can borrow a 550w psu to try in it

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zaknafein72

Well, I finally buckled down and ordered another psu, this time a 500w OCZ stealthxstream. I replaced the antec with the new psu. Now, when I try to boot the system, the monitor shows the bios information and the large emachines E, which is the window from which you can access bios and boot settings. However, it hangs at this window, and despite the fact that the keyboard lights flash (so I know it's working) pressing the keys for bios or boot entry does nothing. The fans all spin, the hard drive led powers on...it just doesn't go past this screen. Also, I didn't notice a post beep, which was sort of odd.

So, first thing I think is that it is a PSU problem. So, I reattach the antec...and the exact same thing happens. What happened? What did I do during replacement of the PSU that screwed up the computer? I reset the cmos, and still nothing.

If anyone has any ideas, please chime in.

Pharaohz

First and for most problem is, its an E machine. But really, sounds more like a hard drive issue to me. If you have a friends computer near you or another computer at home you can take the hard drive out of and just see if it gets past the point where it stops for you, then you will know for sure. But being a E machine, each component of those computers are of the lowest end quality. You could be chasing problems along time.

zaknafein72

If I'm correct, though, you shouldn't need a hard drive to post and access the bios. Neither of these things are happening. Also, when my computer was intermittently working, no data had been lost, so I assumed the hd wasn't the culprit.

dai

your correct you don't need a hard drive to post and access the bios
so disconnect it and see if it posts and gives you access to the bios

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InfernalSolo

Try removing all but one stick of ram, and place the remaining stick in the ram slot as per the instructions on your motherboard manual on single-stick operation (usually this is the closest slot to the CPU). If it still doesn't work, try the other stick(s) of ram (again only one at a time in that one slot). This is a long shot but it isn't unheard of to have a bad stick of ram messing up the POST.

zaknafein72

The hard drive is not an issue. When connected, the hard drive revs up, and you can hear it, but otherwise there is no difference between when the drive is connected and when it is not.

The ram also seems fine. I tried booting with one stick, trying both that I have. Neither had any effect. The bios beeps when no ram is inserted, just like it's supposed to, and nothing appears on the screen. Also, I ran memtest for over an hour about a month ago, and no errors occurred, so bad ram seems unlikely.

So, just to repeat my symptoms:
1: I press the power button.
2: The fans rev up, then fall to a lower speed. (If the hard drive is attached, it revs as well, then keeps making hd noises.)
3: Lights flash on the keyboard.
4: The bios summary appears on the screen (e.g., what type of bios it is.)
5: The large emachines E screen appears, and says that you can press F2 for bios and F10 for boot options, but it hangs at this screen and pressing the keys has no effect.

So, that seems to only leave CPU and mobo as possible culprits. What do people think? I have never removed my cpu from its cage, and since I don't have any thermal paste, I am hesitant to do it now. However, if people think that is the problem, I suppose I could try.

zaknafein72

I doubt it could be the cmos, because I removed it, but how long are you supposed to remove the battery for? I only removed it for 15 minutes or so.

dai

to reset the cmos involves more than removing the battery
turn the computer off
remove the power lead from the back
take the side off
remove the cmos battery
move the cmos jumper from pins 1 and 2 to pin 2 and 3 and the back to pins 1 and 2
replace the battery
put the side on
replug in the power lead
boot the computer

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zaknafein72

Do all mobos have a jumper? I don't think I do.

dai

no they don't the reply is generic the method is the same

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zaknafein72

So, if you don't have a jumper, what do you have to do besides removing the battery? I did everything in that list except for jumper switching.

dai

there can be 2 solder points you touch with a screwdriver
2 pins you touch with a screwdriver or use a jumper
a cmos clear switch or button
there will be a diagram and instructions in your manual

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Pharaohz

Before you keep tring to fix that and wasting more money on it, you should really go here to read about Emachines.

http://www.consumeraffairs.com/compu...ine_other.html

If yours is anything like these, replacing your mobo isnt even an option. Your best bet would be to salvage what you can out of it and buy what you cant. It sounds like you know enough to have found a normal problem. Its time to put this computer down and buy a new puppy. :) Best luck and wishes.

zaknafein72

Yeah....it certainly doesn't sound positive.