Computer freezes when I start it

Okay, recently, I've been having monitor troubles. I hit the computer tower with my knee awhile ago, and the whole computer shut off, the monitor shut off, and then when I tried to turn it back on, the computer would turn on and the monitor would turn on, but there was no connection between them. So my dad and I worked on it and couldn't figure out what was wrong, we got a new video card, still wouldn't work. Then just tonight, I tried to get it to work again, I took out the new video card, (Radeon 7000 64MB) and unscrewed and rescrewed in the motherboard. put the video card back in, plugged everything back into the back, and viola, there was a connection between the computer and the monitor.

Now, the next problem kicks in. I turn on the computer and the monitor, and they both start up fine, no beeps, no weird nosies. But then it freezes on the screen that says "motherboard made by intel corporation" or something along those lines, and I have no idea why...does it have anything to do with getting a new video card? Can somebody help me?

I have Windows ME if that information is needed...

Thanks, Lorn

 

Hi,

Your first problem may have been the video card was not seated correctly, in other words not pushed in the socket all the way then when you removed it and put it back in you corrected it.

It now sounds as if the computer will not post (power on self test). When you bumped it you could have unseated the memory or any other card installed, so take out the memery and put it back in making sure the gold contacts are all the way in and any gold showing is even or parallel along its socket, then do the same with any other cards.

Rick

 

I did as you suggested, but still get the same result. I made sure everything in the back was screwed in, and everything pushed in all the way, but it still won't go past that screen. Do I need to take this over to the software forum?

 

What are the specs or your computer?

Processor
Motherboard
Memory
Video Card
Sound
bla bla bla

If you are not sure, you can download EVEREST Home Edition to get all that information.

 

Well, I would d/l that and find out, but I can't get onto my computer and I'm using a different one right now. My friend's dad built the computer from scratch(it worked perfectly for about four years, so I don't think he mis-connected anything when he made it) so I'm not sure exactly what they are.

Processor
Motherboard
Memory - PC 1000 Compliant (I think? That's what the card said, unless I had the wrong card...)
Video Card - Radeon 7000 64 MB (for sure, I just got a new one)
Sound - don't have sound

Gah, I'm not much help here. As I said, somebody built it and I don't know. I'm not sure exactly what's what in the back of this computer, there's no labels or anything like on the other computers in my house. X_x Unless you know a specific place where I could get a name (on the actual board/card) as in where a label would be or something, I don't know...

 

how hard did you hit it? did it fall over?

maybe the connector that connects the video card to the monitor(on the back of your PC) got damaged? check if it's damaged if you didn't ... after that im outta ideas

 

Maybe we could come up with some more helpful comments if we knew which screen your system is stopping at when you try to start it up.

There are usually two -- but your mileage may vary.

The first is a "splash" or banner screen that identifies the motherboard/CPU/system manufacturer, or whatever. It may show the BIOS manufacturer and the BIOS date. That info might be helpful.

The second screen appears when the POST is complete, or nearly so. It will usually show some combination of memory installed (amount and type), storage devices recognised (floppy drive, hard drives, CD-ROM, etc.), and maybe IRQ assignments or other stuff. It would be really helpful to know whether your system gets that far, or is hanging after that screen displays.

If your system is stopping at the first screen, it's safe to assume that it's hanging during the POST. You mentioned that you " unscrewed and rescrewed in the motherboard", after which you were able to get a display to appear on the monitor. That makes me wonder if the motherboard shifted as a result of the bump, and shorted itself out against something. That can be fatal (for the motherboard). You might want to pull it out again, and check it over carefully for burn or scorch marks near anything that comes close to a standoff or the case or other parts.

Check also for damaged components. If you have a heavy fan/heatsink assembly on your CPU, check the CPU socket mounts. That weight hung on the CPU socket can break the socket if the case is bumped heavily from the wrong direction.

Something else to look for:

Is there any indication that the hard drive is being recognised, i.e., does the screen that you do see show the make and model of the hard drive? The reason I ask is this: hard drives are very sensitive to shock, especially when they're running. The damage can take a variety of forms -- some immediately obvious, others quite subtle -- at first.

If the hard drive is not being recognised at all, it could have been disconnected, or even killed, by the shock. If you can, connect it up in another machine and see if it works. Or swap a known-good drive into your machine and see if the system will start.