watermac

Thanks in advance for the help!

Specs:

Dell Dimension 5100
Win XP - SP3 (I believe)
PSU = 650W 650TX Corsair - I've had this since February 2009
Video = NVidia 9700 GSO (I believe) - also had this since February 2009
New RAM = G.Skill 2 GB (2x1GB) DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
Old RAM (not currently in computer) = factory instally 1 GB (4x250mb)


Not quite sure what happened:

Turned off computer to install new RAM. During shut down the computer was completing an update. I am not 100% sure what the update was (this is not usually my PC), but it looks like it was just an Internet Explorer update since that was all that came out this weekend.

Unplugged everything and waited for power discharge, opened case, grounded myself neurotically every few seconds, removed old RAM, replaced new RAM, put everything back and booted up. Also, while case was open, dusted thoroughly with canned air (incidentally, everything inside the case was all plugged in / hooked up while I dusted).

Computer booted fully, acknowledged new RAM. There may have been a little delay in getting to the desktop, but as this is not usually my computer, I cannot be sure. I Checked Computer Properties and the new 2GB RAM was fully acknowledged.

Decided to test out the new RAM by playing a game (Medal of Honor Airborne) that had previously been unplayable (It would reach a certain point not far into the game and then it would hang and either quit to desktop, restart or required ctrl-alt-del or manual restart). The game played to almost the usual spot. Then the screen went softly mottled grey (which looked like some in-game error, same color scheme) and I could hear the background game sounds, though not the speech/video that should have still been playing at the time. I could not get out of screen, even with Ctrl-alt-del. Since both the DVD drives have caused me trouble (nothing big) over the years, I popped the CD out of one and into the other. No change. Had to manually restart by holding down power button.

Turned computer on. Started to boot up and made it to the windows load screen. Then there was a repeated stuttering beep - not an error code but sounded more like something was hanging or lagging. When this did not stop after a short period of time (it was unpleasant) I manually restarted the machine by holding down the power button.

Turned computer on. Now there is no display. When I press display button on monitor it states that it is in Standby mode and to move the mouse/keyboard.

Current Symptoms:
In addition to no display as described above
PSU seems to be on.
Solid green light on motherboard
Fan for video card is running constantly.
DVD drives open and close properly.
Ethernet adapter is lit up.
Infrared mouse light on

At present, the light code on the front of the case reads 1 2 3 , though that has changed (I am not sure what it was before).

When I startup, everything sounds like it is starting fine, then I get 2 quick beeps and then the startup does not seem to continue with the usual business. Just a blank screen and fans all whirring.


What I have tried:

-Removed new RAM and replaced old RAM
-Reseated both sets of RAM multiple times
-Reseated graphics card
-Reset CMOS settings using the jumper - only tried this once
-Removed mobo battery for 10 minutes and replaced.
-Inspected mobo - not really any visible signs of unhappiness
-Did more dusting
-Have tried with just one stick of RAM (even though I am supposed to be using matched sets)
-Made sure everything was securely plugged in inside case
-also tried with only the moniter attached to the case (all internals still hooked up)
-DVD drives are incidentally now empty

When I get home from work I will try alternate power supplies and graphics card, and then I suppose bench test, and some more CMOS reset.


Any suggestions? Do you think it is the motherboard? Man I hope it is not the motherboard....

Thank you so much!

Tyree

First guess is the Mobo doesn't like the OCZ RAM. What is the Model Number of the RAM?
Posting a link to it would be helpful. Installing performance RAM in OEM PC's is not recommended.
Remove ALL the RAM, clear the CMOS, install 1 stick of the old RAM and see if it will boot.

watermac

So I removed the video card (actually a Nvidia PNY GeForce 9600 GSO) and replaced it with whatever card came with the computer.

And it worked fine - booted up like normal, everything fine.

So I would imagine that means it's the graphics card

However, what caused this? Just a random coincidence? Do you think my graphics card needs to be repaired (it would seem to still be under warranty, though I no longer have the original packaging, so I guess not) or is there something else wrong? The fan just seems to run and nothing else happens.

Thanks

Tyree

I would have to assume the GPU is at fault. You shouldn't need the original packaging for warranty. Contact PNY about an RMA and they will instruct you on the steps to take for replacement.