Computer turns on but will not boot

cdart108 · 06-27-2008, 08:08 AM

I have a homebuilt PC with Windows XP on it. I haven't installed any new hardware or changed any settings in the past couple months, but recently I have been having trouble getting the computer to boot. It will turn on and the fans and DVD drive will whir, but no beeps or booting.

I have read elsewhere that this might be a No Post problem. I have tried disconnecting the battery from the motherboard for 30 minutes in order to reset the CMOS, as well as disconnecting various hardware devices and seeing if it will boot without them plugged in, but to no avail.

When I first started having the problem, I was able to get it to boot by turning it on and off several times (I'm sure that's not the best idea). Nothing appeared to be wrong with it once it actually booted.

It appears the power supply fan is running. I tried unhooking everything aside from the videocard, RAM, and harddrive and had the same problem.

Any advice would be helpful. Thanks

Madcatz · 06-27-2008, 08:18 AM

when you removed the battery from the motherboard to reset the bios, did you also unplug the power wire from the computer? it has to be unplugged for it to work.

also unhook the hard drive (both power and cable) and memory, turn it on and see if you hear three beeps (mobo not seeing any memory) if you hear it, thats good, if not, then try another video card, still nothing? then try another power supply, still don't work, then might want to start looking for a new mobo.

cdart108 · 06-27-2008, 10:04 AM

Yes, I did unhook the cable before pulling the CMOS battery.

I went through alternating with RAM in and out and various configurations as suggested. I never got three beeps but I did get it to finally boot with a different power supply. However, when I hook in the DVD drive, it will not boot. Is this because of the drive or the power supply?

Thanks

EDIT: Also, I have now noticed that it will not boot with the ethernet cable plugged in

**grimx133** · 06-27-2008, 10:16 AM

When doing a CMOS reset, after you take the battery out, you also need to move the jumper from pins 1-2 to pins 2-3 and then move it back again. Depending on where you hear it the jumper stays on the other pins for anywhere from 10 seconds to 30 minutes, so try a couple minutes. I gave it about 20 seconds last time I did one and it was fine. Then put the battery back in.

cdart108 · 07-01-2008, 09:34 AM

I already got the CMOS to reset with the previous method, and it did boot eventually with a different power supply and the DVD drive unhooked.

However, now it is doing the same thing on the other power supply (that is, it is not wanting to boot now even with the new power supply). I have to assume it is a motherboard issue.

magnethead · 07-01-2008, 06:09 PM

with the troubleshooting you have performed, I would say RMA the mobo.

06-27-2008, 08:08 AM	#1 (permalink)
cdart108 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 3 OS: XP SP2	Computer turns on but will not boot I have a homebuilt PC with Windows XP on it. I haven't installed any new hardware or changed any settings in the past couple months, but recently I have been having trouble getting the computer to boot. It will turn on and the fans and DVD drive will whir, but no beeps or booting. I have read elsewhere that this might be a No Post problem. I have tried disconnecting the battery from the motherboard for 30 minutes in order to reset the CMOS, as well as disconnecting various hardware devices and seeing if it will boot without them plugged in, but to no avail. When I first started having the problem, I was able to get it to boot by turning it on and off several times (I'm sure that's not the best idea). Nothing appeared to be wrong with it once it actually booted. It appears the power supply fan is running. I tried unhooking everything aside from the videocard, RAM, and harddrive and had the same problem. Any advice would be helpful. Thanks

06-27-2008, 08:18 AM	#2 (permalink)
Madcatz Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 232 OS: 98se/XP Home/XP Pro/Vista My System	Re: Computer turns on but will not boot when you removed the battery from the motherboard to reset the bios, did you also unplug the power wire from the computer? it has to be unplugged for it to work. also unhook the hard drive (both power and cable) and memory, turn it on and see if you hear three beeps (mobo not seeing any memory) if you hear it, thats good, if not, then try another video card, still nothing? then try another power supply, still don't work, then might want to start looking for a new mobo.

06-27-2008, 10:04 AM	#3 (permalink)
cdart108 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 3 OS: XP SP2	Re: Computer turns on but will not boot Yes, I did unhook the cable before pulling the CMOS battery. I went through alternating with RAM in and out and various configurations as suggested. I never got three beeps but I did get it to finally boot with a different power supply. However, when I hook in the DVD drive, it will not boot. Is this because of the drive or the power supply? Thanks EDIT: Also, I have now noticed that it will not boot with the ethernet cable plugged in Last edited by cdart108 : 06-27-2008 at 10:16 AM.

06-27-2008, 10:16 AM	#4 (permalink)
grimx133 Back to the grind Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Canada eh Posts: 307 OS: xp mce sp2, xp pro sp2 My System	Re: Computer turns on but will not boot When doing a CMOS reset, after you take the battery out, you also need to move the jumper from pins 1-2 to pins 2-3 and then move it back again. Depending on where you hear it the jumper stays on the other pins for anywhere from 10 seconds to 30 minutes, so try a couple minutes. I gave it about 20 seconds last time I did one and it was fine. Then put the battery back in.

07-01-2008, 09:34 AM	#5 (permalink)
cdart108 Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 3 OS: XP SP2	Re: Computer turns on but will not boot I already got the CMOS to reset with the previous method, and it did boot eventually with a different power supply and the DVD drive unhooked. However, now it is doing the same thing on the other power supply (that is, it is not wanting to boot now even with the new power supply). I have to assume it is a motherboard issue. Last edited by cdart108 : 07-01-2008 at 09:35 AM.

07-01-2008, 06:09 PM	#6 (permalink)
magnethead Tech Hardware Team Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: TX Posts: 1,788 OS: XPH, 2K My System Blog Entries: 2	Re: Computer turns on but will not boot with the troubleshooting you have performed, I would say RMA the mobo. __________________ AIM me: MAGNET794 For proper support: what are you running? video card, cpu, m/board, ram, power supply, brand, wattage, any error message? PCI-E requires 26 amps at 12 volts. That's a 650W PSU. Power Supply Info and Selection . Info on thermal compounds & application . TEST PSU USING MULTI-METER