PC Will not boot after a crash.

mosura · 03-29-2006, 06:06 AM

My pc froze up while browsing online last night and I had to reset it to get out of the frozen screen. When it reset the memory test etc came up normally but then would go no further, and after another reset the screen was blank.

When I turn on the pc now nothing comes up on the monitor at all. The power supply fan, cpu fan and graphics card fans are all working as normal. I have no idea what caused this and am not sure what I should do now to get it to work again.

System is a win2k desktop pc, used for browsing and gaming mostly. I've never had a crash or lockup like this in the past.

Could anyone give me some advice on what to do first or should i just call a technician out to see if they can fix it instead? I have reasonable experience with pc's, have built four or five before, just never seen something like this happen yet.

Thanks for any help.

Tumbleweed36 · 03-29-2006, 08:25 AM

Hi,

First thing I would do is try to clear the CMOS. You can do that by moving the jumper from pins 1 and 2 to pins 2 and 3 for about ten minutes, then moving it back before you try it. It can also be accomplished by removing the battery for about the same amount of time. Don't work in that case unless you are unplugged from the wall and have grounded yourself prior to working in there.

Post back with results or lack thereof.

mosura · 03-29-2006, 01:22 PM

Have cleared the CMOS by the jumper method and still no change.

I removed 2 of the 3 sticks of ram and now the memory etc shows up on screen but will go no further, it just stays at that screen and win2k doesn't boot.

If I switch the stick of ram in there now with one of the others I am back to having nothing show up on screen at all.

I get the feeling the motherboard has died but I'm not certain from what, maybe a power surge.

Tumbleweed36 · 03-29-2006, 01:46 PM

Hi,

Double check the following:

Make sure your 12 volt molex has not come loose

Make sure your Heatsink fan has not jarred loose

Make sure your video card is seated - Just reseat it to be sure

Take out all memory except one stick (check manual which slot to use) I know you did this, but did you make sure you used the motherboard manual to put the single stick in the correct place? Many times, that place is not Dimm0 or dimm1.

Make sure your heatsink clamp has not come loose somewhat...if they aren''t down properly, it can do this.

It might be best if we knew the specs of this unit, like motherboard, CPU, power supply brand name and wattage, video card, etc. etc. etc.

Post back with questions and/or concerns

03-29-2006, 06:06 AM	#1 (permalink)
mosura Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 11 OS: Win2k / Suse 8.1	PC Will not boot after a crash. My pc froze up while browsing online last night and I had to reset it to get out of the frozen screen. When it reset the memory test etc came up normally but then would go no further, and after another reset the screen was blank. When I turn on the pc now nothing comes up on the monitor at all. The power supply fan, cpu fan and graphics card fans are all working as normal. I have no idea what caused this and am not sure what I should do now to get it to work again. System is a win2k desktop pc, used for browsing and gaming mostly. I've never had a crash or lockup like this in the past. Could anyone give me some advice on what to do first or should i just call a technician out to see if they can fix it instead? I have reasonable experience with pc's, have built four or five before, just never seen something like this happen yet. Thanks for any help.

03-29-2006, 08:25 AM	#2 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,677 OS: XP Professional	Hi, First thing I would do is try to clear the CMOS. You can do that by moving the jumper from pins 1 and 2 to pins 2 and 3 for about ten minutes, then moving it back before you try it. It can also be accomplished by removing the battery for about the same amount of time. Don't work in that case unless you are unplugged from the wall and have grounded yourself prior to working in there. Post back with results or lack thereof. __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread.

03-29-2006, 01:46 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tumbleweed36 Asst Manager Hardware Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA Posts: 19,677 OS: XP Professional	Hi, Double check the following: Make sure your 12 volt molex has not come loose Make sure your Heatsink fan has not jarred loose Make sure your video card is seated - Just reseat it to be sure Take out all memory except one stick (check manual which slot to use) I know you did this, but did you make sure you used the motherboard manual to put the single stick in the correct place? Many times, that place is not Dimm0 or dimm1. Make sure your heatsink clamp has not come loose somewhat...if they aren''t down properly, it can do this. It might be best if we knew the specs of this unit, like motherboard, CPU, power supply brand name and wattage, video card, etc. etc. etc. Post back with questions and/or concerns __________________ ---------- I don't receive email notifications of replies to subscribed threads. (Internet provider policy) Therefore, if I don't respond to your post within 24 hours, please send me a reminder PM and include the link to your thread. Last edited by Tumbleweed36; 03-29-2006 at 01:47 PM.

03-29-2006, 01:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
mosura Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 11 OS: Win2k / Suse 8.1	Have cleared the CMOS by the jumper method and still no change. I removed 2 of the 3 sticks of ram and now the memory etc shows up on screen but will go no further, it just stays at that screen and win2k doesn't boot. If I switch the stick of ram in there now with one of the others I am back to having nothing show up on screen at all. I get the feeling the motherboard has died but I'm not certain from what, maybe a power surge.