Computer will not start

I believe I have had a major hardware failure.
System specs
AMD Athlon XP 1800+
512 MB DDR RAM PC2100
60GB HD
64 MB DDR GeForce 4
Soltec Motherboard expandable to 3GB RAM
CD-RW
DVD
V90 modem
Windows XP Pro

OK, here is what happens. When I hit the power button the fans start up but after approx one second a single short beep occurs and everything powers down. The monitor stays black and the power light does not come on on the monitor (the red standby light stays red, does not switch to green). From what I can gather, this most likely means a CPU failure. Is there any way to confirm this? I am considering going to e-Bay and buying a replacement CPU (Same CPU as my Motherboard will not support anything faster at its maximum FSB). I have already opened things up and made sure all of the connections are tight. I just want to avoid getting a new CPU, installing it and then......nothing happening when I try to start up. Then I won't know if the replacement CPU is bad, or the motherboard, or some other issue.
Any help from the experts here would be greatly appreciated.

PS-BTW you guys/gals are awesome , this support forum has already taught me a lot and helped me to fix a persistant Adware problem. You keep non pros like myself from throwing my computer out the closest window. Thanks

 

Mobo would only beep for POST errors found on RAM, Video Card and in some cases for incorrect BIOS settings.
First I would try resetting the BIOS and then re-configure RAM/CPU related settings if mobo does not do it automatically (but my Soltek w/ VIA KT-266A chipset does have it)...if no success then,
Remove Video card and RAM after shutting down the system, unplugging the power cord from the PSU and touching a grounded metal surface for a sec to get rid of possible ES buildup on you.
Then if the mobo/case looks dusty blow some air, especially around the AGP slot and the RAM slots...using the lead of a pencil gently buff the gold pins of the Video card and RAM on both sides then re-sit them back in their places. Plug and screw everything back and try booting up...if still no good, then I would suggest trying another Video card and/or RAM.

 

So, this could be RAM? What I have read to this point seemed to exclude that. Sorry, I don't want to question since you are being so nice trying to help, I just don't have the knowledge and want to be clear with what the problem is.
The computer never even gets to run through its start up, and the monitor never turns on. It does not even get to the RAM check. It beeps immediatly and completely powers down. The limited information I have read told me that if the monitor powered up (ie. the power light turning green) it was more likely to be a motherboard or RAM problem but if it did not, then it was more likely to be a CPU problem. Please correct me if I am wrong about this as I would hate to unnecessarily buy another CPU and still not fix the problem.
I have removed the ram and video card and reseated them and the connetions appear clean. A friend even checked the power supply connecting the system to a working one with the same specs and had the same results. The motherboard was pretty dusty, so I cleaned everything with some canned air and it looks pretty good now.
Thank you again for your suggestions you may save me some significant trouble and money.

 

Before resetting anything do the following.

Open it up and take out all the RAM chips. Make sure they are clean of dust and replace them. Make sure they are in tight. Then reboot the system.

Make sure all power is disconnected from the system.

If this does not work then i think that your CPU had failed.

If the RAM thing does not work then try it again before doing anything else.

Just incase you dont know how to remove the RAM ill tell you:

Unclip the clips either side of the RAM chip(the long black thin chip).

Lift them directly up and do not bend or wiggle them.

Thats about it.

Hope it helps

 

Thank you for your response. I really do appreciate anyone thats trying to help.
As per my last post I have tried removing and reseating the RAM and video card. Connections appear to be clean. But, just in case I have tried again and sadly it is still not working.
Are there other things I could try?
Turcoloco suggested resetting the BIOs, but I am not entirely sure how to do that. Does he mean manually resetting the switches? I'm willing to try whatever, as long as it doesn't damage any other components of my system.

 

Ok, since you removed and re-installed the RAM and Video card and you also mentioned they looked clean, I will give you the benefit of the doubt and siggest this for FREE :
Carefully remove the CPU fan/heatsink, you will not have to unclip the CPU and take it out, if there is any damage (chipping, discolorization) you should be able to notice it, concentrate on the middle section where the real 'brain chip' resides. If it is indeed your CPU you should be able to tell because a healthy CPU core would not have any discolorization also the square center core would be straight at the edges...if you notice any chipping at all head for newegg.
Good Luck.

If PSU was bad the fan in the back of it wouldnt spin (tied to the main resistor, but if it was somehow partially damage, then you would be able to get close to it and smell something.
Also examine the Video Card the same way you examine CPU but scan the entire card.
One of the reasons why PCI/RAM cards get a short and burnout is because they were not seated properly in the first place. When installing CPU/RAM/PCI cards you must make sure they are horizontal and seated firmly.
Hope this helps.

 

Progress report! I removed the CPU and took a look. Honestly I can't tell if it is damaged or not. There is no chipping or irregularity of the edge of the center "brain". As far as discoloration, the center sqauare is a purpleish blue similar to what I have seen in on similar CPUs. There was some black smears on it but I think this is from the contact with the heat sink "patch" on the underside of the heat sink. Is that supposed to be there? There was an impression of the serial number from the chip on it so I know it was in contact with the heat sink. Is that the thermal paste I've heard people mention?

I tried the start up without the CPU in place and this time there was no beep and the system did not power down. The fans continued to run and the lights on the mobo stayed on. I'm thinking that this means CPU fault test was causing beep? Confirm this if you can.

Also, since it appears that this is a CPU failure I could use some help in ideas about upgrading. My Soltek motherboard is a DDR with 266 FSB and 3 RAM slots. Am I maxed out on CPU with my XP 1800+ or can I go up as long as I stay with a 266 FSB. If I do upgrade will I need a new heat sink/fan or can I keep the old one. It is a Thermaltake Tt Volcano 5.

Thanks again for your help so far.

 

If you have the option of trying that CPU chip in another machine, you might want to try that. Then do the same with the PSU.

I have run across situations where a shorted card or chip drew enough current from the PSU to make it shut down, ie., look like the PSU was bad.

But if the PSU is on the edge and can't supply the current a healthy CPU chip needs, it might behave in the same way.

 

Hi,

Make sure the fan on the hs is pluged in and test to make sure it didn't fail, I don't think it is getting far enough into post to detect this but you never know.
As Rob said you would really need to test the cpu in another machine to know if its bad.
Turcoloco suggested above to reset the bios/clear cmos you do this by unpluging the machine and moving a jumper on the mobo fron pins 1&2 to pins 2&3 and waiting a few minuites the put the jumber back to pins 1&2plug back in and reboot. You should do this before going any further.

If you have a volt meter you can check the psu by unpluging everthing from it. On the main connector to the mobo short the green and black wirer with a paper clip this will turn on the psu. Check the yellow and black wirer with the volt meter you should get something like 11.8V or a little higher.
Now check red and black should get 4.9 or so.
Check orange and black should get 3.2
If it varies greatly from these I would buy a new psu.

Rick

 

Thanks for the replys. Unfortunately, I know it is not the PSU. The tech guy at my work tried to troubleshoot the system for me and changed out the powersupply with a working one and the problem persisted. Unfortunately again, he uses Intel chips and did not have any compatable Mobos to check this chip on. I that I'm just going to bite the bullett and get a new CPU.

Any recommendations on what I should replace the CPU with. Can I upgrade to a faster processor as long as I stick with a 266 FSB?

Thanks again.

 

I have the same exact problem as you, my PC [Asus A7V8X / AMD 2200] was working great, I upgrade the hard drive and noticed the CPU fan and heatsink were covered with dust I took them off and cleaned them off. After that I pressed the power button I get one beep and it powers off. It is the CPU or the motherboard. I am going to try another CPU in it, I’ll let you know the results, if you have any other info please post. I am also calling ASUS since it is still under warrantee.

 

gunnar23, did you clean off the old thermal compound and apply new, but more importantly are you sure the wirer for the fan on the hs is connected to the correct header on the mobo

 

"gunnar23, did you clean off the old thermal compound and apply new"
No I did not and that was the problem, I installed a new heatsink with thermal compound and I am all good now.
Thanks.

 

Your welcome and thank you for posting the solution

 

Sorry it took me a while to get back, but I had to order some thermal paste to try gunnar23's fix. I got some arctic silver 5 thermalpaste and cleaned heatsink thoroghly reapplied and reconnected and sadly things are still not working.
I have since done some more research and apparently the person who built my system cheaped out on me and used a sub spec PSU(adequate at 320W, but inadequate V to A output and only one fan giving poor airflow) and heatsink/fan(AMD recommends miminum Thermaltake Volcano 6 and my system came with a Volcano 5). So, next step is to replace these items.
Any recommendations on best bang for the buck PSU and heatsink fan. I don't need top of the line but it does need to be more than adequate for a good price.
If these replacements do not work I'm looking at replacing my CPU. If I do replace the CPU can I go to a faster speed as long as I stick with 266 FSB? I have seen others recommend the mobile processors, would this be a good match?
I'm reading everything I can, but I still need your help, thanks.

 

As far as thr psu, make absolutly sure you buy a name brand no generic, I recommend antec true 430w make sure it is the true series. I also like the new ultra psu's, they are of moduler design witch helps with cable clutter.

Hsf, I recomend Thermaltake extreme volcano 12, it can be a little loud when on high but it comes with a fan controller that lets you turn it down.

The short answer is yes but considering the problems and what you are already going to replace maybe new mobo and ram to. What I mean is if the psu was inadequate and hurt the cpu who knows if other parts to and why limit yourself to a 266 fsb cpu if you order that first and still have problems. Its alot to consider, good luck.

Try newegg.com
zipzoomfly.com

Rick

 

Also,

A mobile cpu has a unlocked multiplier witch can help if you plan on overclocking if not then no need cause it can be hard to configuare

Rick