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Computer will not start

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by tipp.ss

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I am having a problem with my computer (it is well over 2 years old). It will switch on OK and all of the fans start (case, processor, system board etc), but all I get is a "black screen" - no POST screen, no "beeps" or anything. When I remove graphics card and/or RAM and restart I manage a few (different) beeps! I have discharged the CMOS memory - that has not worked either (though it did work when the computer behaved this way about 6 weeks ago).

Any suggestions as to what to try. . . (though my fear is I might need a new motherboard and CPU - I presume socket A is more or less obsolete now)

System is:
ABit KV7 motherboard
AMD Sempron 2600 (Socket A)
512 MB memory
Maxtor 120 MB HDD
Radeon 9250 graphics card (AGP)
Windows XP Home SP2

5 replies

by mjd420nova

With no video card, you should get some beeps, this is normal for no video BIOS or video memory. With the video card installed, and still no video or beeps, the video card is holding the motherboard from starting. The video card has to start first, and load it's BIOS, telling the motherboard and CPU where to send the video. So it does sound loke the video card has failed. Any old video card in it's place should allow it to boot properly. I keep an old 16 M video card in a spare parts kit just for this purpose.

by tipp.ss

Eventually managed to borrow a spare graphics card and the computer started first time. So it looks like it will be a new graphics card. Thanks for your help - you saved me the cost of a diagnostic test!

by zlitocook

The next thing to try is a post card if you have one or can get one. This will tell you where the computer is stopping at, the card has on board LED's to tell you about the boot up process and where it stops at. But it sounds like the mother board or the CPU is going out.

by hal 9000

Well Socket A M'Boards are still available but they are getting a bit long in the tooth now so the computer is repairable if you need to replace the M'Board. Asrock currently has a Socket A M'Board available the K7X41GX with the following specs

Asrock K7S41GX Motherboard - SiS 741GX, FSB 333MHz, DDR333, Integrated VGA, AGP 8X, ATA133, 10/100 LAN, 5.1-Ch. Audio, USB2.0, microATX.

But first thing is to unplug the unit and replace the CMOS Battery just to make sure that it's actually still charged if it isn't you'll get all sorts of problems occurring and it's quite possible that your current description of the problem is directly related to a flat battery.

The Battery is a Lithium type with a model number of [b]CR2032[/b] replace that first before attempting anything else. Of course if the unit has been overclocked then all bets are off as the CPU is most likely dead.

Col

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