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Main Forum => General Computer Support => Topic started by: mrwoof on December 10, 2017, 07:11:10 am

Title: My PC is dead, can't complete post [SOLVED]
Post by: mrwoof on December 10, 2017, 07:11:10 am: W 7 : Motherboard Gigabyte GA-FA55M-HD2
My PC is dead, can't complete post. I suspect a hardware issue. So diagnosis begins; The CPU fan runs and I hear the hard drive spinning up. No beeps. The screen is dead so I cant access bios. There is a discreet Nvidia card fitted. To rule out failure of the Nvidia card I need to revert to the on board graphics via Bios. As the screen displays nothing how can I switch graphics ?
I removed the Nvidia from the PCI and got a constant tone from the board. Also shorted jumpers on the board to clear CMOS settings to achieve default settings in the hope that it would revert to the integrated graphics. Nada !
Dont wish to replace the board until I eliminate the Nvidia as causing the issue.
Thoughts ?
Title: Re: My PC is dead, can't complete post
Post by: Boggin on December 10, 2017, 08:21:13 am: Do you have another monitor cable you can use or unplug/replug the current one ?
Title: Re: My PC is dead, can't complete post
Post by: mrwoof on December 10, 2017, 08:33:34 am: Tested monitor / cable, both good.
Ram :1 stickof DDR 3, 8gb. reseated.
Now I have a 2 Gb DDR 2 modual in onother pc. Can I substitute this to eliminate this as cause ?
Unsure how to test power supply.
Title: Re: My PC is dead, can't complete post
Post by: Boggin on December 10, 2017, 08:45:28 am: No - you need to use the same spec.

Normally if it's a memory problem then you wouldn't get anything, but have you tried the RAM module in any of the other slots ?

It's generally best to use two modules and then you can use both channels and that gives you option of checking each stick because one can pull the other down.

If you remove the module and boot, you should get the memory error beeps but if you don't then that tends to point to the motherboard.

Tell-tale signs on the board can be swollen capacitor cans, but they aren't always the problem.

When you remove the RAM module, check to see if the pins are clean - they can be cleaned gently with an eraser and any residue brushed away - also check the condition of the graphics card and reseat.

EDIT - It looks like it's quite involved to check the PSU - https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-manually-test-a-power-supply-with-a-multimeter-2626158
Title: Re: My PC is dead, can't complete post
Post by: mrwoof on December 10, 2017, 08:54:57 am: If you remove the module and boot, you should get the memory error beeps but if you don't then that tends to point to the motherboard.

Ah, good diagnostic advice ! However as I got a constant tone after removing Nvidia from PCI.
Title: Re: My PC is dead, can't complete post
Post by: Boggin on December 10, 2017, 09:24:48 am: Well it would seem to know when the graphics card is removed.

Have you tried booting with the HDD removed ?
Title: Re: My PC is dead, can't complete post
Post by: mrwoof on December 10, 2017, 09:37:13 am: yep
Title: Re: My PC is dead, can't complete post
Post by: Boggin on December 10, 2017, 09:42:56 am: I've only ever had laptops so I'm a bit short on troubleshooting desktop hardware.

I don't know if you could test the Nvidia card in that other machine as I don't want to give bad advice.

I'll ask for advice on this, but it could be a couple of days before they can get onto the forum.
Title: Re: My PC is dead, can't complete post
Post by: mrwoof on December 10, 2017, 10:22:30 am: Considering this :
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/Gigabyte-GA-F2A55M-HD2-Rev-1-2-Socket-FM2-MicroATX-Motherboard-HDMI/292218261747?hash=item440990d0f3:g:11oAAOSwraZZlb10

Its a spare machine so no hurry.
thanks for your time.
Title: Re: My PC is dead, can't complete post
Post by: Boggin on December 10, 2017, 02:51:01 pm: It looks a good buy if it's genuine - I wonder how many old machines this guy has, as it says 7 have been sold already.

I've had a reply back and as there aren't any beeps then the board is dead.

You could confirm that by booting with the RAM removed.
Title: Re: My PC is dead, can't complete post
Post by: mrwoof on December 11, 2017, 04:55:50 am: I got a continous tone without the Ram So I pulled apart my other PC and swapped PSU & AMD GFX card, no change. So that leaves MB, CPU & Ram. So the laws of probability (failure rate) point to the MB. Also the easiest, just a click with ebay. So pulled the trigger on that and might have it by the weekend. Time to get thermal paste. Will let you know outcome.
thanks again for your time.
Title: Re: My PC is dead, can't complete post
Post by: Boggin on December 11, 2017, 05:05:44 am: Hope it works out for you and Max :D
Title: Re: My PC is dead, can't complete post
Post by: manuelsupe on January 09, 2018, 07:04:18 am: Thank you for the answers, i had the same problem but know it`s solved :wink: :wink:
Title: Re: My PC is dead, can't complete post
Post by: mrwoof on January 09, 2018, 07:18:42 am: Quote from: Boggin on December 11, 2017, 05:05:44 am
Hope it works out for you and Max :D

Well the solution finally turned out to be reseating the CPU. Needless purchase of Motherboard in this case. Ah, the learning curve!!
Title: Re: My PC is dead, can't complete post
Post by: Boggin on January 09, 2018, 07:47:18 am: Glad at least to see you have found the cause.

Will you be able to return the mobo or have you ended with a spare one ?
Title: Re: My PC is dead, can't complete post
Post by: mrwoof on January 09, 2018, 10:28:00 am: Quote from: Boggin on January 09, 2018, 07:47:18 am
Glad at least to see you have found the cause.

Will you be able to return the mobo or have you ended with a spare one ?

I gave it to a mate who actualy might use it !

solved
Title: Re: My PC is dead, can't complete post
Post by: Boggin on January 09, 2018, 12:20:37 pm: That was a generous gesture.

I'll add [SOLVED] to your thread title.