Troubleshooting my computer.

Hello fellow MG's!

When my computer crashed an error message showed up and told me: System Error. I couldn't start programs or such. It froze.

And now, the screen doesn't work either and it doesn't get a signal from the computer. I tried switching screen but the same error shows up. What's the problem? How can I troubleshoot my computer to see what's wrong?

Thanks in advance.

 

By chance when it gave you the system error message, did it give you a code with it

Example: "STOP: c000021a (Fatal System Error)"

Is it an HP, Compaq, Dell, etc and model number would be helpful.

 

Actually, I don't remember what kind of code it gave, as it was quite some time ago. And it's custom built by someone I know. Would the specs help?

 

sounds like a bug,you should run scans and such to see if theres anything wrong or hidden.

 

How can I run scans if it won't show anything on the screen?

 

Tried to F8 or F5 on startup as to get the safe mode screen. You can try to start windows using last good known configuration, but if that doesn't work use safe mode with networking. If it will let you get to this point.

Then 1st of all turn off system restore as viruses will move around with it on. Then open your anti-virus program, do update and then run it to see if you do have a virus

 

I already said this, I can't see anything on my monitor. It's all black!

I could add that with "the same error" I mean the no signal one.

 

Does this PC have onboard gpu or gpu card. If you have an installed gpu card, you might try taking it out and reseating it to see if that might help or if you have access to another gpu card, seeing if that might help.
It almost sounds like the video driver is missing or corrupt

 

As it has a few years on it's back I don't know if it's integrated or a stand-alone card. Older ones doesn't have their own fans, no? How do I check if it's an integrated card or not?

 

I'm taking it that this is a desktop since it was custom built.

On the back where you connect your monitor, is it connected up near the top where the usb, ethernet, PS2 and sound are connected or lower down where the PCI slots are

 

Yup, then it's a stand-alone graphics card.

EDIT:
I'll have to go to bed now. Tomorrow I'll continue and try your tip. Thanks for the help so far.

 

Okay, taking the graphics card out and put it back in doesn't work. I'll try to get my hands on a graphics card and see if it works. Meanwhile, do you have any other tip?

 

By chance, when you start up the pc, do you hear any kind of beeps, like 1 long and 2 short, or any other.

Here is a page that will help you to understand what the beeping means.

http://networking.ringofsaturn.com/PC/beep.php

 

The beeps can mean different things depending on what BIOS your mobo is using

 

I hear one short beep. Then it's dead silent, except for the fans. It's a pheonix BIOS, at least that is what it says on a sticker on the mobo.

 

According to Phoenix support, says it could be 1 of 3 problems, memory, video card or mobo.

Try removing your memory leaving just 1 stick in at a time, swapping them as to test each seperate. If 1 works and the others don't then you have the problem, if it doesn't solve the problem, Try unpluging all extra components inside, like the fans, extra drives that were added, or anything extra, DO NOT unplug CPU fan or power to the mobo

Al this still doesn't rule out the video card until you are able to try a known good working one.

Hopefully it's one of the these, they're cheaper of the 3 evils

 

So, basically what should be inside is the mobo, video card and one stick of memory which I switch one at a time? Should the rest of the stuff go out? Like, soundcard and ethernetcard?

 

Sorry it took awhile to get back to you, I would pull them out, you don't need the ethernet to test this, and your onboard sound should pick back up with no problem. Then try to plugging them back in one at a time

 

Okay great, I'll do it now! I'll edit when I've tried everything.

 

Seems like I can't edit it. :confused

Well, nothing special happened when switching through the RAM. The same error shows up:

How great of a risk is it to take the graphic card out of this working computer and test it in the other? I'm a bit unsure if I want to do that.

 

Although I doubt it considering its custom built, you MB may still have an onboard. Just double check. Other than that, you should be safe testing the card in another computer.

 

The computer I am on now uses this mobo: M2N68-AM and it should have an on-board card.

Unfortunately the not working one I have no idea what kind of mobo it has.

I might test it tomorrow, but I'm not sure. I'm going to a big LAN on saturday and I will be gone till Tuesday, so I won't be able to to anything with the computer. But I'm still able to reply, so I'm grateful for any help possible, and I'll test everything you say when I'm back.

 

If there's a another socket that looks like it will accept your monitor cable then you've also got onboard video.
Remove the video card, plug the monitor in to the other socket and see if you get anything.
If not, does the monitor work? plug it in to another machine to test.

From there I would look inside on the mobo for the BIOS reset jumper, reset it. and try again.

If you can't get any output to the screen off either output showing BIOS or POST information then there's likely to be a mobo problem ie BIOS is corrupt or there's a hardware fault.

Just out of curiosity, Is the broken machine plugged into to a surge guard? a power spike could have zapped something.
& on that note, does the power supply fan even start up and continue running when you hit the power switch?