skip to main content

Computer won't boot up

18 years ago

A couple of days ago I was using my computer and it locked up. I shut it down and when I turned it back on nothing happens. It doesn't boot up or get into setup to check anything. Any ideas? The computer has a new motherboard and hard drive that was installed about a month ago.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (11)

johnkr
18 years ago
The first think I would check is the power supply (back of PC near power cord). Is the power supply fan spinning? If you open the case, are any leds on? Does the processor fan spin? Any audio beeps?
owbist
18 years ago
Grannytoo a make and model might help to identify a problem. Any chance the is an eMachine? Why was the motherboard replaced and who replaced it?
Related Discussions
installed new mother board. won't boot up. asus a7v8x mx se
Q
Comments (4)
So the problem does not seem to be the motherboard, you have a signal onscreen. Is the replacement motherboard identical to the one that failed? Did you simply pop the hard drive back in with the original Windows install on it? Do you have the CD that came with the newer mobo? (If not the drivers will be available online but expect slow downloads fro the Asus site if you use them) Have you tried putting the XP CD in the drawer and doing a repair to see if this will overcome the issues? Remember if you do this you will need to download and install every update and patch issued since the CD was created.
...See More
Won't boot from cd
Q
Comments (1)
Do you know the name of the file that is missing? Are you sure that is the only one? Did you get more than one recovery CD when you bought the computer? Perhaps there is a second CD with those needed files and you are trying the wrong CD. During start up with the CD in the drawer does the CD player activity light appear for quite a while suggesting the CD is being read? You might consider putting the CD in the computer you are using, stop the auto start as it occurs, then use Windows Explorer to verify you have the right CD. When you entered the BIOS you tried to change the sequence to CD then hard drive then floppy. Did you hit F10 to save and exit? If not then were you prompted to save the changes and did you follow along? Seems like you may have exited without saving the changes.
...See More
My computer won't stop 'thinking' when my desktop is up
Q
Comments (6)
Do Ctrl-Alt-Del to bring up your Task Manager, click on the Processes tab, and click once or twice on the CPU tab at the top of the listings: this will show what process is chewing up the most resources (which will probably be the culprit). Also, look at the CPU Usage line at the bottom of Task Manager and see what the % Usage is. Then report back here on what you found out.
...See More
Computer won't boot past POST screen
Q
Comments (21)
"F2 for setup and F12 for boot options." Are you saying you get this far and the computer REBOOTS by itself, if that is the case you start to consider a power issue here. How many files did the user want to save? Where are the 2 recovery disks that should have came with the pc, or does it have a recovery partition that you would have an option for after hitting F12 if you get that far. If you slave the drive run your options scan disk, check disk ect, the go to the manfactures site of the hard drive an run there tests on the drive. I wonder if you can get recovery disks from Dell for the 2400 series?
...See More
User
Original Author
18 years ago
johnkr - All the fans are working. There are no audio beeps.

owbist - It is a HP A244. The motherboard was replaced because the onboard ethernet and the PCI slots weren't working. Fry's Electronics replaced the motherboard.
DA_Mccoy
18 years ago
Disk in a drive? It's an old problem that is not too common anymore, but depending on startup configuration it can be a cause.

DA
owbist
18 years ago
Well if the mobo was replaced a month ago we should be able to eliminate Frys. Did you remove the left side panel and see if the fan over the CPU heatsink was spinning? If you are comfortable inside the case then remove the power cord from the back of the tower, remove the side again and look to see if the heatsink is fastened tightly to the CPU. Rest an arm on the metal case while gently trying to move the heatsink. Strangely I recently read an article about a broken heatsink retaining bracket.

If the heatsink is loose this could well cause the computer not to start as the built in safety factor will kick in preventing you from burning out the CPU or processor.

While you are inside take a look at the 20 or 24 pin power connector coming from the power supply to the motherboard to ensure that is seated and the retaining clip is in place.

Restart with the side off to watch the fan plus see if the LED lights on the front of the case light up at all.
User
Original Author
18 years ago
owbist - The lights on the front of the case light up. The heatsink is securely fastened. The light for A drive (the 3 1/2 inch floppy drive) doesn't light up during startup. I replaced the A drive and the light for the replacement A drive doesn't light up.

damccoy - There is no disc in either of the drives.
zep516
18 years ago
See if you can boot to the safe mode:

Restart the computer now keep tapping the f8 key, try this several times...
User
Original Author
18 years ago
zep516 - Computer won't boot in safe mode.

I took the computer back to Fry's and they said it's the motherboard ~ again.
owbist
18 years ago
Ah, good news grannytoo. Assuming you have a reasonable warranty on the computer of course. Wonder why 2 motherboards would go bad? Just curious, it can happen to any computer of course
zep516
18 years ago
Next time you speak to them, ask them if they think the power supply is causing a problem with the mother boards that are being installed, it's kind of odd 2 mother boards go bad in such a short time...
User
Original Author
18 years ago
owbist - The motherboard is still under warranty so will be getting a replacement.

zep516 - Thanks for the tip on the power supply. I'll have them put a new one in. That would be cheaper and easier than hassling with motherboards.

Related Stories

SMALL SPACES Houzz TV: You Won’t Believe Everything This Tiny Loft Can Do

By Mitchell Parker

Looking for more floor space, a San Francisco couple hires architects to design a unit that includes beds, storage and workspace

ARCHITECTURE 5 Homes That Won't Box You In

By Becky Harris

Unexpected architectural shapes outside create unique spaces inside these homes that respond strongly to their sites

REMODELING GUIDES You Won't Believe What These Homeowners Found in Their Walls

By Mitchell Parker

From the banal to the downright bizarre, these uncovered artifacts may get you wondering what may be hidden in your own home

HOME TECH 3 Kitchen Contraptions You Won’t Believe

Pizza hot from the printer, anyone? These cooking gadgets harness imagination and high tech — and have price tags to match

ARCHITECTURE See the Daring Experimentalist Who Won 2013's Pritzker Prize

Architecture's highest honor goes to someone with a diverse and complex body of work and a never-satisfied mind-set

STORAGE 8 Ways to Keep Winter Gear From Mucking Up an Entryway

By Shawn Gauthier

Don't let wet coats and boots dampen your entryway or mudroom's spirit. These storage and other tips can keep everything looking bright

ROOM OF THE DAY Room of the Day: A California Kitchen Boots Out Beige

By Karen Egly-Thompson

A down-and-out kitchen catches the joy wave and turns up the fun for a social family of 5

MOST POPULAR The Polite House: On ‘No Shoes’ Rules and Breaking Up With Contractors

Emily Post’s great-great-granddaughter gives us advice on no-shoes policies and how to graciously decline a contractor’s bid

DECORATING GUIDES 17 Ways to Cozy Up Your Home for Fall

We can't think of a better time to outfit your home with rich colors, snuggly knits and furniture that lets you sink in

TASTEMAKERS Catching Up With the Queen of Shabby Chic

By Laura Gaskill

Rachel Ashwell defined a style embraced by countless fans over the past 25 years. Find out what she’s turning her sights to now

Sponsored

More Discussions

PC screen goes black for 2-3 seconds....

5

Tired of MS Office 365 Monthly Fees?

1