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PC Cannot Boot = Doesn't do anything when switched on
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Junior Member
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23. December 2009 @ 13:18 |
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Hi i am exerpiencing this problem and it is really frustating me - bad time for this to happen.
When i turn the pc on it does absolutely nothing. a blank black screen comes up on the monitor and the computer wont even get to the screen where it tells me all the hardware devices.
I am running WindowsXP Service Pack 2.
I recently tried to do a windows update, there were a few core updates which i decided to do since they said a new attack has been discovered and it is recommended to update the system. i did this and i dont know what happened, i got a blue screen with an error message.
i then restarted the system and everything was back to normal.
a day or two later and i cannot do anything with my pc. i dont know if the windows update was in any way related to this problem i have now.
Someone please help. Thank You.
Sandeep
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Junior Member
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23. December 2009 @ 13:25 |
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edit: i have constatnly turned it on and off and have still had no luck. i have been doing this all day long and have done it at least up to 200 times.
i do not want to lose all my data and music. so if i could at least safely retreive those.
Sandeep
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ddp
Moderator
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23. December 2009 @ 13:58 |
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have you tried another psu? try clearing the cmos as have found that to work sometimes to kickstart a stubborn system. check the silver flat top cans on the motherboard which are capacitors that they are not domed or leaking brown stuff.
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Junior Member
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23. December 2009 @ 17:13 |
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thank you. if it was leaking then would wiping it with a cloth or tissue of some sort resolve the issue?
ive had a word with my uncle who unfortunately doesnt live close-by; he says it could be any component and i wont really know unless i open up the base unit. i need to disconnect each of the components from the motherboard and plug them back in one-by-one to see which one is faulty or malfunctioning.
this actually reminds me of how you diagnose which appliance is causing your trip switches to the electric supply of your house to trip.
ive never opened up my base unit before and am not too confident in case i mess anything up.
my uncle did warn me about causing a change in the static charge of the electronics, which could permanently damage them.
Sandeep
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 23. December 2009 @ 17:15
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ddp
Moderator
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23. December 2009 @ 21:25 |
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if a capacitor is domed or leaking then either it or the motherboard has to be replaced.
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Junior Member
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24. December 2009 @ 05:02 |
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okay i cant see any leakages or anything domed.
however, i did manage to somehow boot up the OS to the login screen twice after opening up the case and cleaning/vacuuming the dust from the inside.
i then thought everything was okay so i closed everything back up and put the computer back in its place. unfortunately the same problem ocurred, i cannot boot to the OS again and the black screen comes up with no bleeping again.
Sandeep
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 24. December 2009 @ 05:03
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Member
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26. December 2009 @ 23:10 |
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Originally posted by sandeep14:
I recently tried to do a windows update, there were a few core updates which i decided to do since they said a new attack has been discovered and it is recommended to update the system.
Who said? Where did you get the updates?
Dick
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ddp
Moderator
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27. December 2009 @ 01:24 |
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malware?
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Member
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27. December 2009 @ 01:33 |
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That's what I'm wondering.
Dick
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Junior Member
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29. December 2009 @ 12:55 |
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the windows update popup said the new ulnerabilities in XP were discovered and i needed to do an update so that i have the latest and most up-to-date system.
Sandeep
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Member
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30. December 2009 @ 00:09 |
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OK. That sounds reasonable.
When you say you "can't do anything" with the system, what do you mean? It won't power up? It won't boot? It won't load Windows? Do you get any error messages? If so, what are they?
I find it interesting that the system was able to boot to the OS when you had it opened up, but failed once you cleaned it out and put it back into place. See if you can reproduce this behavior. If you can, then try to reproduce the steps one at a time to see where it begins to fail again.
You have to be our eyes and ears, so give us as much detail as you can.
Dick
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Junior Member
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31. December 2009 @ 07:40 |
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The computer turns on, it reaches a blank screen and cannot load up windows. no writing, no messages or anything else. no bleep either.
when i opened up the base unit, i just cleaned out all the dust, gave it a few 'taps' in certain places (haha been reading too much on psychotherapy) and the OS booted up the next time i switched it on.
however, i got my finger caught in the fan and broken one of the parts and now it makes a loud noise when operating (im thinking its because there is a bigger gap now one of the components of the fan have broken off so when it rotates more air is being trapped and therefore more resistance in that small gap?)
and so in fear of it overheating and catching fire (as a precaution) i immediately switched the computer off.
it is now back to the same state where it cannot boot to windows. nno messages, no writing. and this time, the fan is very loud.
Sandeep
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Member
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31. December 2009 @ 10:24 |
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Originally posted by sandeep14:
however, i got my finger caught in the fan and broken one of the parts and now it makes a loud noise when operating[\quote]The fan or the finger?? :D
and so in fear of it overheating and catching fire (as a precaution) i immediately switched the computer off.
it is now back to the same state where it cannot boot to windows. nno messages, no writing. and this time, the fan is very loud.
Have you ever thought of offering a blood sacrifice every time you want to turn the system on? (I once new a girl like that)
We obviously need to get the system back to the state it was in when it last rebooted--obviously without any additional bloodshed. You can remove the fan for temporary testing limited to no more than a few minutes. Don't bang on too many things, but remove and re-seat all cards, cables and plugs. In the mean time, replace the fan. You can often get free replacements from the manufacture of the unit the fan was a part of.
You're learning a hard lesson about keeping the inside of computers clean and connectors clean and solidly seated.
Keep us appraised and if we should send any get well cards--to the computer. :)
Dick
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 31. December 2009 @ 13:58
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Junior Member
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31. December 2009 @ 12:33 |
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haha. yes there was blood, luckily it was minimal and the motherboard etc did not get covered with blood.
main motherboard is red so maybe its camouflaged.
i removed the ram and connected it again. not too confident with everything else, may have a go later or jsut get my friend to check it out.
the fan was manufactured by "Asaka". so if i contact them, they should ship one out to me? i bought my pc in 2004/2005. the computer is manufactured by "Tiny", who had a joint venture with "Time computers" and Tiny went bankrput.
Sandeep
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Member
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31. December 2009 @ 14:05 |
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What was the fan connected to? CPU cooler? Graphics card? Power supply? You may end up visiting local computer repair shops asking if they might have one in their junk/parts bin. If it is from a graphics card, it might be easiest just to buy a new one. You can get pretty decent cards at reasonable prices.
Dick
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scum101
Suspended due to non-functional email address
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31. December 2009 @ 14:13 |
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snap the opposite blade off just the same... ghetto fixes from a master salvager XD
then try running puppy linux.. less ram intensive and allows a good test. Usually a no post except once in a while is the cap by the agp slot.. just a fyi.. manufacturers are cheapskates and use a 6.3v cap on a 5v rail.. and it's not up to the job.. I fit a 10v one and everything seems to be good. They can be leaky without showing any actual physical signs.. especially if they have just dried up. If left not powered overnight and it starts first try it's caps.
This one is right in the mainstream of the bad caps era.. so I would say it's that. I would hazard a guess it's a polaris 400 mobo?.. tiny.. well known for cheap bottom end shoddy stuff. Time on the other hand built from dell qc rejects and seem to have lasted well.
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 31. December 2009 @ 14:16
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