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ZollyMonsta

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#18445 10-Jan-2008 18:11
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Hi All,

Built a PC (last one I intend to build for a while! too many hassles!) for my mum for Xmas.
It's all second hand parts, apart from the Video card which is near new.

To say the least, Mum didn't end up with a PC for xmas as it decided to die completely :(  So currently she is still stuck with her P166.  Any help would be greatly appreciated on this.

Some oddities.

  • Worked fine here before going through to Wanganui, but in Wanganui wouldn't boot up
  • Powersupply and case fans whirr, nothing else happens (no video output either)
  • If I reset the bios and the PC boots, but usually comes up with a 'CMOS Battery Failure'. I've since replaced this but still comes up.
  • Sometimes the keyboard doesn't work. Oddly, if you press the power button it doesn't shut down, but the screen flicks and the mouse is then operational (!??!)
  • Sometimes get as far as windows loading (progress bar) but then goes into a reboot loop.. and finally does not reboot at all.
  • Have swapped the power supply for another power supply, but this hasn't made any difference.
I thought it may have been the Bios battery, but a new one is in now and it's made no difference. Power supply maybe, but I've swapped that out and it's made no difference. Should I suspect the motherboard is stuffed?

Cheers,
Grant
Soon to be retired from trying to build PCs... all new ones from now on!




 

 

Check out my LPFM Radio Station at www.thecheese.co.nz - Now on iHeart Radio, TuneIn and Radio Garden

 

As per the usual std disclaimer.. "All thoughts typed here are my own."


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sbiddle
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  #104049 10-Jan-2008 18:15
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What spec is it?

Did you seat the CPU properly? This can sometimes cause no end of ( completely random) problems.



ZollyMonsta

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  #104050 10-Jan-2008 18:18
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I can't recall the exact speed... It's a socket A motherboard I think (Gigabyte GA -75748) so the speed is likely to be between 1.2ghz and 1.7ghz.

I haven't tried re-seating the CPU yet.. hoping there might be another suggestion that would work :)  removing the heatsink from socket A motherboards is a real.. er, well I can't say that word in here :)  If there are no other suggestions I may be forced to wrestle with the heatsink clip....else throw the PC in the nearest wheelibin and walk away ;)




 

 

Check out my LPFM Radio Station at www.thecheese.co.nz - Now on iHeart Radio, TuneIn and Radio Garden

 

As per the usual std disclaimer.. "All thoughts typed here are my own."


Vorbis
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  #104054 10-Jan-2008 18:43
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Sounds like a dodgy M/B.



ZollyMonsta

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  #104059 10-Jan-2008 18:52
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Did you seat the CPU properly? This can sometimes cause no end of ( completely random) problems.


Any tips on removing a Socket A CPU and heatsink? I've always struggled unlatching that silly metal latch.
Obviously I need to pull the MB out... the latch is always tricky though I find.




 

 

Check out my LPFM Radio Station at www.thecheese.co.nz - Now on iHeart Radio, TuneIn and Radio Garden

 

As per the usual std disclaimer.. "All thoughts typed here are my own."


pwaddles
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  #105546 18-Jan-2008 15:48
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would help if you could put up some photos of your handywork to see if anything jumps out.




--------------------------------
Core 2 Duo e6850 3Ghz
4 X 1Gb DDR2 @ 800Mhz
GeForce 8800 GT 512Mb
P35 DS3L Mobo

wazzageek
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  #105555 18-Jan-2008 16:27
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Hi,

I was going to suggest that it could be the power supply cable from the motherboard to power supply - but that's eliminated by the replacement power supply comment!

First off, my reaction would tend to be to replace the unit ... but failing that:

* Check all connections (drives/keyboards, etc.)
* Do a full BIOS reset
* Re-seat the memory

Failing that, I would suggest the following:

Unplug everything - drives, perpherials, memory, PCI Cards, powersupply.

Next - plug in powersupply and the PC speaker.  Turn the box on, ensure you get the "no memory" beeps (google should aid you in getting the exact beep sequence).

If that's all good - plug in the memory and video card.  Test.

If this is successful, I would then get a copy of the ubuntu CD, install a CD drive and run the memory test off that.  (From some of your comments, I wouldn't be surprised if your faults lie with memory) ...

If that's successful, starting pluging things back in till you find the fault.

By a process of elimination, you should be able to find the source of the problem.

Good luck.



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