Help please...computer turns on, but doesn't boot.

S

static93x

CAG Veteran
I have an HP a1630n. I upgraded the video card to an ATI Radeon X1650 PRO, Cooler Master 550w PSU, 2gigs to 3gigs of RAM. Everything else is stock...that was done a couple years ago when the computer was still pretty new.

I just upgraded the processor to an Athlon 64 x2 5600+ Brisbane. I went to start it up today after putting it all back together and it powered up, but wouldn't boot.

I had this problem right before I upgraded the processor so I don't think it's something new...I'm guessing it's either the hard drive or mobo, but I don't know where to start and I don't have the money to go get a new one of each to try out.

The computer turns on like normal....fans spin, power light on front turns on, hard drive light comes on for a couple seconds, but goes off and doesn't blink anymore. DVD burner does it's check (light flashes a few times). After all that, it just runs...doesn't load up Windows. I'm still using XP SP2.

I bought a 9600 GT to install as well, but I was going to wait until the processor was done so I could go through and get rid of ATI's software for the x1650 PRO...guess that's not going to happen right now.

I wasn't sure if I could do any diagnostics for figuring out what the culprit is or if I'd just have to start replacing things and hope it starts working again.

Any help would be appreciated.


Thanks
Mike
 
Are you saying it doesn't even go into the mobo BIOS? Cause that alone indicates a hardware issue somewhereif you can't get the BIOS. You should at least get into the BIOS setup if the mobo is working correctly. Then you can see if it identifies the HD. If you get an error after that, then I'm guessing it's the OS install.

You need to give more info exactly up to which point nothing happens. Do you get the non-boot hard disk error? Did you forget to plug in a power connector somewhere? That is usually my error during builds. :)
 
I stated exactly what it does...powers on and then does NOTHING. It's not going into BIOS, it's not doing anything. I've tried the display with both the video card and the onboard video...nothing...there is no video output at all either...so in my mind it isn't doing anything...mobo problem then?
 
[quote name='static93x']I can't put it back in. But it had the problem just before I removed the old processor as well.[/QUOTE]

Sounds like your MOBO maybe a goner.

That model is now 3 years old but it should not be konking out on you like that.

HP has a habit of screwing their HD to the bottom of the case which prevents dust flow from being pushed out easily...which can lead to build up of debris and static. So that can be the cause of the problem.

Do you have and know how to use an Ohm meter? I'm old school but that is how I would find out 100% of the MB is dead but sounds like it is.
 
Yeah sounds like either motherboard or RAM. RAM always does a bunch of stupid shit when it goes bad. If you can find some compatible memory I'd try that first since it's obviously easier to test. If you don't have any at least try using different individual sticks of your previous ram in different slots. Also try clearing the CMOS (you should be able to find instructions for this in your motherboard manual).

If that doesn't solve anything then I'd try unplugging stuff and see if it still does turns off. Unplug everything but the ram, cpu, and two power cables (the cpu and motherboard ones) and see if it doesn't turn off (even unplugging the case and starting it by touching some metal to the power pins). Even try removing the ram (although that should make it beep a lot). If it does work then keep plugging things back in until it doesn't and you will know which component to replace. Otherwise either try desperate things like remounting your processor or get a new motherboard.
 
i have this same problem with my old pc.it powers up and everything but it wont post or anything.i figured out that if i leave it running for 15-20mins untill it warms up then i hit the reset button and it will boot normally.
BTW if anyone knows how to fix this problem let me know.
 
Megazell, funny enough I just picked up a new multimeter a little while ago and it's sitting in the office unopened. What exactly am I checking on the mobo with it though?

I have already unplugged everything outside the case (network cable, anything USB, etc), I will start unplugging everything and slowly plugging it all back in also.

I really appreciate the input so far. I'll look around for a new mobo just in case. Does anyone know if the HP case will accept a different mobo (as long as it's a micro ATX) or will I maybe need a new case as well? I was thinking about picking up a set of dual channel memory that's PC 6400 since what I have now is 4200.

I guess I'm going to wind up building a new computer when I'm done with this thing...I may as well get a cheap case (found an Apex for $25 I like), 4 gigs of DDR2 800 RAM, and a new motherboard...then all that is old will be the hard drive and optical drive.
 
I'm guessing the mobo if you can't even get into the BIOS. Try to clear the CMOS like DrFoo said. It's usually a jumper you need to remove or the battery or placed right back. Mobo's should definitely post into BIOS if the RAM is working and all power supply cables are connected properly to the mobo.
 
I know it sounds silly but verify you have plugged in both power plugs into the mobo. I have forgotten to plug the additional 12v guy in and the computer will power on but will not post.

As other people have mentioned you should be able to post with just a mobo, power supply, and processor.
 
[quote name='boneless']I'm guessing the mobo if you can't even get into the BIOS. Try to clear the CMOS like DrFoo said. It's usually a jumper you need to remove or the battery or placed right back. Mobo's should definitely post into BIOS if the RAM is working and all power supply cables are connected properly to the mobo.[/QUOTE]

Yeah that's what I thought would happen but with bad or no ram my motherboard just beeps and doesn't post at all.

And static93x your old case should work fine as long as it is the same form factor (micro atx).
 
[quote name='DrFoo']Yeah that's what I thought would happen but with bad or no ram my motherboard just beeps and doesn't post at all.

And static93x your old case should work fine as long as it is the same form factor (micro atx).[/QUOTE]

Exactly. That's what happened to me before too. Sometimes the RAM wasn't fully seated and would beep like crazy. Makes me just want to play on a console. :whistle2:#

That and trying to transfer saved games drives me crazy everytime I format my HD.
 
I am just going to upgrade the mobo and call it a day. I'll try to find a good deal on 4 gb of RAM and a mobo...combo if I can.

Thanks again everyone.
 
OK, so I'm going to update the status of this thread...I'm basically building a new computer...I have the following going into this "new" computer:

*Apex TX-381-C Black Steel Micro ATX Towerhttp://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811154094
*Cooler Master Extreme Power 550w PSU
*ASUS M3N78-EV AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 8200 Micro ATX mobo
*AMD Athlon 64 X2 5600+ Brisbane 2.9GHz Processor
*A-Data G-series 4GB (2x2) 240-pin DDR2 800 Dual Channel Memory
*Cooler Master HSF 80mm side fan (able to add a 2nd if I choose...stock HSF was 70mm and aluminum, now copper and aluminum)
*GIGABYTE GV-N96TZL-512I GeForce 9600 GT w/ 2oz PCB and OC'ed core to 700MHz from the manufacturer.
*Masscool 90mm case fan
*Plantronics GAMECON 1 headset
*6ft HDMI (to connect 9600 GT to my LG 32" LCD with FULL HD)

I'm using the original DVD burner and 250gb hard drive from the HP A1630n, otherwise EVERYthing else is new (new at one point or another). Just bought the case, mobo, memory, HDMI cable, HSF tonight for $213 shipped from Newegg...plus I get 10% back for using Paypal.

Total spent on the above new parts was right around $400...could've gone cheaper and had a good enough setup for about $300 total, but oh well.

I can't wait to get everything and start putting it together. This will be my first actual build.
 
Sorry to hear what happened to your old comp. I had the same problem(S) too with my old computers and one was the HDD and other was Mobo. Have fun with your new project!
 
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