PC switches on, won't boot

[duk3]

Yesterday, I took the power lead out of my PC's tower and took out my old 56K modem from the motherboard, unplugging the line and phone jacks along with it. Reasons why include the fact that I was trying to troubleshoot a networking issue. The other reason is because I don't use said modem any more, anyway.

I then plugged the power lead back in and the PC wouldn't boot up after turning it on. There was a red light on the chassis that stayed on continuously, and the monitor read "no signal" before going blank. I waited a minute or two and this didn't change. Couldn't get to the Windows startup screen or desktop - nothing.

I've since put the modem back in along with the cables, but still get the same problem.

Please advise. I have my Windows disk and recovery console if that helps. I've been told that I should remove the modem if I like and then reseat the ram and video card.

Running Windows XP SP3 - if you require any other information, I'll try and find out for you.

 

[FNfal]

When you try to start it do you get the mother board logo screen
does the power supply and CPU fan start
do you get POST at all (power on self test )
you need to give a little more info.

 

[cpu.]

Do you have an AGP graphics card that you bumped by any chance. But if I remember correctly, you will get a beep of some sort for problems with that card (unless pc speaker unplugged/not present)?

If so unplug and re-fit.

Edit: on second read, the advice was given. Re-fit, especially since you worked around the graphics card.

 

[ponder]

Do you get a normal POST beep?

If not I suspect your PSU is shot or dying. You can try leaving the power unplugged for 4 hours or so and try again. Also try the switching it on and off multiple times. Try another PSU.

 

[biometrics]

Clear CMOS.

 

[Rock Bottom Computers]

Try this.
When booting go into your BIOS (Ctrl-Alt-Del).
Go to you disk/storage section and check your boot sequence. Make sure your OS drive is listed and bump it up to no.1

Sometimes this is the cause of such problems.

 

[Earther]

If you have a graphics card installed, reseat it. Also take out and put back memory modules. If that's not working , disconnect PSU from motherboard not forgetting the 12volt connector. Wait 20min and plug them in again.

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

 

[duk3]

When you try to start it do you get the mother board logo screen

I didn't get this, even after three or four attempts.

does the power supply and CPU fan start

Yes, it seems so.

do you get POST at all (power on self test )

No too sure what you mean by this, sorry!

Do you have an AGP graphics card that you bumped by any chance. But if I remember correctly, you will get a beep of some sort for problems with that card (unless pc speaker unplugged/not present)?

I have a PCI-Express graphics card. I didn't hear any beeping. The modem is separated from the GPU by a TV tuner card. I might have knocked that by mistake.

Do you get a normal POST beep?

If not I suspect your PSU is shot or dying. You can try leaving the power unplugged for 4 hours or so and try again. Also try the switching it on and off multiple times. Try another PSU.

I haven't switched on my PC for 2 days, and today I gave it a try again. It's up and running - it booted, got the normal motherboard logo screen, Windows screen and got to the desktop fine. There was a bit of a hesitation at first like I originally described (red light on the chassis that stayed on continuously, and the monitor read "no signal" before going blank) that isn't normal. I've left the PC running for a while now, and it seems fine - for how long I don't know. I regularly, at the end of each month, (in this case, December) back up all my necessary files, data, etc. I have my laptop too, so I'm covered in the event of a worst case scenario.

Clear CMOS

How would you go about doing this?

When booting go into your BIOS (Ctrl-Alt-Del).
Go to you disk/storage section and check your boot sequence. Make sure your OS drive is listed and bump it up to no.1

Sometimes this is the cause of such problems.

I could give that a try.

If you have a graphics card installed, reseat it. Also take out and put back memory modules. If that's not working , disconnect PSU from motherboard not forgetting the 12volt connector. Wait 20min and plug them in again.

I might also give this a try if the problem persists.

I have my brother on hand (he's the hardware guy) if I need assistance with any of this. I'm nervous when it comes to fiddling around with hardware and the BIOS, I have to be honest. But it's like he always says:

You mustn't be scared. If you don't try, even if you mess up, how will you learn?

Then if someone does try and messes it up, they get k@ked out!

 

[ponder]

How would you go about doing this?

Disconnect the power from the PC. On the motherboard there should be 2 jumper pins marked clr/clear cmos. put a jumper across those two pins for about 60 seconds or use a screwdriver to short the pins.

 

[Pitbull]

Yesterday, I took the power lead out of my PC's tower and took out my old 56K modem from the motherboard, unplugging the line and phone jacks along with it. Reasons why include the fact that I was trying to troubleshoot a networking issue. The other reason is because I don't use said modem any more, anyway.

I then plugged the power lead back in and the PC wouldn't boot up after turning it on. There was a red light on the chassis that stayed on continuously, and the monitor read "no signal" before going blank. I waited a minute or two and this didn't change. Couldn't get to the Windows startup screen or desktop - nothing.

I've since put the modem back in along with the cables, but still get the same problem.

Please advise. I have my Windows disk and recovery console if that helps. I've been told that I should remove the modem if I like and then reseat the ram and video card.

Running Windows XP SP3 - if you require any other information, I'll try and find out for you.

You bumped something when you took out the Modem.

Re-seat everything and make sure all the wires are plugged in on the mother board.
You should hear a loud BEEP or short BEEPS if something is wrong, if you didn't get any of that it's something small. Does your HDD light flash when you switch on the PC? If your HDD is running is something to do with your GPU - GFX card. Try plugging the monitor into the onboard GFX socket if you have onboard GFX.

 

[duk3]

OK, well today I unplugged all the cables at the back of the tower, got the thing on its side, and unfitted and reseated the GPU; took the modem out. I also checked all wires cables, etc. After that, put all cables in the back, put the power lead in and powered on. It definitely seems better. If matters get worse again, I'll have to do a more thorough check like some of you suggest (reseat everything), or try one of the other suggestions listed in this thread.

Thanks for all your help, people. I appreciate it.