PC not booting. Need help pls?

IanM

IanM

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Hi

My system:
Intel Core 2 Duo (CPU, unsure of speed)
ECS G31T – M7 motherboard
nVidia 9600GT graphics card
4GB DDR2 RAM
Western Digital 1TB Black Series

Last week my PC died with no booting taking place. There was no signal going through to the screen and windows did not boot (I did not hear any Windows sound that plays when it usually starts). I opened the chassis and all the light and fans of the different components were on, meaning it could not be the PSU. I removed the graphics card and tested the display through the motherboard’s VGA port, but nothing changed.

I read online that to test the RAM it should be removed from the mobo and the PC restarted. If a constant beep sound is heard then the mobo is active, but can’t find the RAM. If no beep sound is heard it could be that the motherboard died.

I’d like to add that about a month ago I installed a new Western Digital 1TB Black hard drive. Could it be that there was an issue with the motherboard drivers that is causing the problem?

Is there any other test that I can perform to establish which component is broken?

Any help would be appreciated
 
Last edited:
Just as a rule of thumb, start by unplugging the HDD's power and interface cable. Even though that might not solve the problem, at least every time you turn on the PC, the drive doesn't get power and cause further problems to the drive itself.

You mentioned "but can’t find the RAM" - maybe I misunderstood that bit? Are you able to see the RAM and remove how many ever modules you have in there?

Numerous PC's have given my many a headache by the RAM just not making proper connection. Upon removal en re-insertion it worked...

Start off by getting the RAM out and checking the Beep codes for the motherboard - that might point you in the right direction.

Other possible Solution
1. Different Screen card perhaps?
 
IanM said:
Hi

My system:
Intel Core 2 Duo (CPU, unsure of speed)
ECS G31T – M& motherboard
nVidia 9600GT graphics card
4GB DDR2 RAM
Western Digital 1TB Black Series

Last week my PC died with no booting taking place. There was no signal going through to the screen and windows did not boot (I did not hear any Windows sound that plays when it usually starts). I opened the chassis and all the light and fans of the different components were on, meaning it could not be the PSU. I removed the graphics card and tested the display through the motherboard’s VGA port, but nothing changed.

I read online that to test the RAM it should be removed from the mobo and the PC restarted. If a constant beep sound is heard then the mobo is active, but can’t find the RAM. If no beep sound is heard it could be that the motherboard died.

I’d like to add that about a month ago I installed a new Western Digital 1TB Black hard drive. Could it be that there was an issue with the motherboard drivers that is causing the problem?

Is there any other test that I can perform to establish which component is broken?

Any help would be appreciated
Click to expand...

had the same problem , mite be a ram issue.
Did your motherboard came with a post speaker?, mine came separately and installing it was optional.
 
Last edited:
I did remove the RAM completely from the slot and started the PC, but no beep sound. I'm not sure whether my motherboard has a speaker in. Where on the mobo would it be located?
 
H3fty1 said:
You mentioned "but can’t find the RAM" - maybe I misunderstood that bit? Are you able to see the RAM and remove how many ever modules you have in there?

Numerous PC's have given my many a headache by the RAM just not making proper connection. Upon removal en re-insertion it worked...

Start off by getting the RAM out and checking the Beep codes for the motherboard - that might point you in the right direction.

Other possible Solution
1. Different Screen card perhaps?
Click to expand...

Sorry, what I meant by "can't find the RAM" is that when I removed the RAM, the motherboard will not DETECT any RAM being installed.

I did perform the Beep test, with only the CPU and mobo, but heard no sound. That could indicate that the motherboard has no speaker or a dead mobo.

Another friend advised me now to clear the CMOS. Will do that tonight after work and see if it helps.
 
H3fty1 said:
Is your Motherboard model not a "ECS G31T-M7"?
Link to vendor : http://www.ecs.com.tw/ECSWebSite/Product/Product_Detail.aspx?DetailID=897&MenuID=16

Link to manual : http://eudownload.ecs.com.tw/dlfileecs/manual/mb/eng/p4/G31T-M7/16_G31T-M7%20(1.0B)_low.pdf

Usually when the vendor supplies you with a speaker, it is in the box, but it is seperate as not everyone wants to have that annoying beeping sound every time the PC's boots.
Click to expand...

Thing is, I purchased the computer already built about 5-6 years ago. Can't remember that I received a speaker with it. I'll check the motherboard tonight if the speaker is on there.

So basically, if the speaker is installed, but there's no sound with the beep test, this will definitely indicate a dead mobo?
 
I've added URL's to both the motherboard itself and the manual. That might help a bit (if you didn't have it beforehand)

As with the advise of clearing the CMOS, that is probably not the worst idea... maybe for some reason the Boot device priority in the BIOS got confused...

Maybe a (stupid) idea..take any DVD's/CD's out of the ROM...as sometimes the default BIOS setting is to boot from the DVD-Rom

Good Luck and let's hope you can get the thing sorted
 
Pull out the main (external )power cable from the PSU. Wait 15 seconds (or until all the LED's on the mobo are out) then plug it back in and try to boot.

Does the power on self test happen? (Do you get the BIOS splash screen, Do your num lock/caps lock LED's flash and do you get the normal Beep? Does your power LED come on and stay on?

You can then remove components 1 at a time, try rebooting and see if that makes a difference (like you've been doing)

Link to help you find your RAM modules http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DIMM

Diagnostic Beep codes for your motherboard are here: http://www.ecs.com.tw/ECSWebSite/Product/Product_Detail.aspx?DetailID=897&MenuID=16&LanID=9
Try RAM first. Should get a repetetive Beep with no RAM when you reboot. Then replace the RAM and disconnect the HDD. If everything else is OK, the motherboard should POST and give you an error when it tries to boot from the HDD. You can also try booting from a linux live cd/USB - if you can, there may be a problem with your HDD.

If you have a spare PSU, try swapping it out anyway. It sounds like it is delivering power but there may still be a problem with it. You can also try disconecting the power switch where it connects to the MB and try starting the PC by briefly (1 second) shorting the pins with a paperclip (usually if you press the power switch and the pc comes on for 2-3 seconds and then dies, this indicates a faulty power switch.)

Hope that helps. I'm typing this quickly so hopefully I've explained OK and not in a patronising way. :-)

EDIT: more posts while I was typing. I'll leave this up in case anything not covered by someone else.
 
Try booting without any USB devices attached (incl keyboard and mouse).
 
Try another PSU if you have. The fans & lights coming on does not mean it's working 100%. Had this before.
 
Update:

I managed to find another PSU, tested the system and no change.
Reset the CMOS, no change.
Also got hold of a speaker for the mobo, testing the beeps tonight and will hopefully give an indication of what's wrong.

Thanks for the help so far!
 
gregmcc said:
If no beeps then the POST is not running - either the mobo or the cpu is then gone.
Click to expand...

Update:

So I took the PC into a repair shop and they told me the exact same thing. Replacing the mobo, CPU and RAM now. There goes my budget!

Thanks for the help guys. Appreciate it!
 
IanM said:
Update:

So I took the PC into a repair shop and they told me the exact same thing. Replacing the mobo, CPU and RAM now. There goes my budget!

Thanks for the help guys. Appreciate it!
Click to expand...

If that's the case I hope you are not going for the same LGA 775 based stuffed. Get the newer i3/i5/i7 based stuff.
 
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