Old Computer, New Problems

PS: Q means question.;-P

check all your connectors carefully and reseat cables. check memory chips in ok.

swap parts: you say monitor works ok on other PC.
I had a case where a 21" monitor drew too much power and kept a dell PC from booting. it works find on a dift PC tho. Try swapping video card from PC you know works.

try turning on pc with video card in but with vga disconnected. that will elim problem above, and swap parts as I said.

does the fan come on when you turn on PC. if not, lack of connection keeps it from doing this. i.e. if you turn on pc w/o power to mb, the fan won't come on, or if there is a short.

does it turn on for an instant then turn off? (this is looking at PC without cover on so you can see fan easily)

Take it apart again and put it back together and make sure you seated everything properly. Having a loose video card, memory, power connectors will cause problems like the one you are having. Maybe you messed up the power button, If you think everything is properly seated you can turn on the system by touching the the two pins that connect to the power switch on the motherboard itself with a flat-head screwdriver.

http://www.pcguide.com/intro/fun/z_000744jumpers.jpg
If it worked before you took it apart it is obviously a reseating error and after you check and recheck the parts, you will get it back and working again.

After reseating everything, if still no go, let us know what beep message (short,long, how many of each) and what kind of bios chip you have.

I'm not sure if I understand the problem, but if you are trying to run 2 computers with one monitor, you need a switching device that will alternate the signal. Belkin makes an excellent product for under 40.00 at CompUSA.

If it's just the computer will not boot hold F1 , or F10 key, and see if you can get into BIOS. If you can, you may have to do a clean install of Windows, or use the recovery disk.

If none of the above solves the problem you may have a cable or wire connection problem. Best bet is to check the HP/Compaq site for your model and download the manual for your system in .pdf format. There may also be some damage to the video card when you reinstalled it. Check that it is seated properly, or swap out the one that works with the monitor. Either way recheck all the connections to make sure they are correct.

Good luck

You didn't mention if the computer is actually working just that you have no display. If this is an AT Power Supply you may have the 2 power connectors on the wrong way where they join the socket the Black Wires should be in the middle of the connection for the 2 plugs.

If you have an ATX PS you'll need to tell us if the FANS keep running as if they just start and then stop there is a problem on the M'Board which is preventing the PS from running. ATX Power Supplies require a signal from the M'Board to keep running so they will turn on initially and then if the signal isn't received in a second or so will just turn off again.

There is another possibility here also and that is that you have not connected the front panel wires correctly and are not in fact turning on the computer at all.

Col

Is there video built into the motherboard? If so, you may have to disable that in the bios before it sees the card you installed. Try the card in another slot on the motherboard. Does your hardware support the video card you are trying to use? Have you tried another video card in the computer? Have you tried this card in another computer? You say the computer used to run Win98 so I am assuming that it still does. Have you tried booting to a Floppy or CD to see if anything shows on the monitor?

What exactly do you mean by [b]Took Apart[/b] Did you just remove any plug in cards and the M'Board from the chassis or did you remove the CPU, RAM, BIOS Chip and every jumper on the M'Board?

If it was the latter you'll need the instruction manual to work out exactly where everything should go again particularly the jumpers. You could also try replacing the CMOS or BIOS Battery a round coin sized Lithium Battery on the M'Board as this is only used when the power isn't connected and may have gone flat.

You also didn't mention the model of the Compaq that you pulled apart which would make it easier to answer your question.

But with the case open is anything at all happening?

Do any fans run?

If there are any LED's on the M'Board do they light up?

Do you have an AT or ATX Power Supply and have you tested it?

Nikita;
This will probably sound ridiculous but I've got to try.
I've read all of the above and certainly agree with most of the theories put forth.
However we forgot one thing.
These PCs have a button on the front panel Button that you can push down to turn the monitor part On and/or Off when connecting to a CRT screen.
Is it just possible that this might be the root of your problem?.
I.E. Either the switch is broken or you've simply, "inadvertently" turned the Monitor OFF?
Just a shot in the Dark.
Good Luck
Regards
Aaron

Well your going to need to start some testing here. As you have 2 computers maybe you can pull the video card from the one not working and install in the working one and see if it still works. Slave the HDD to the working one as well and run the makers Tasting Utility on it just to make sure that it's still working as well.

If you can change the RAM over that would be a good idea as well if only to test both the video card & RAM. If these are both working properly in a different unit you are stuck with a CPU/M'Board problem as a starting point. If you didn't follow any Static Control measures when you dismantled the old computer or didn't store the bits in anti static bags it's quite possible that they have got a massive static jolt and killed them off.

You can also check the reset switch [if there is one] on the front of the case as sometimes through poor manufacturing these can stick in the on position and leave the Computer in a constant reset state where nothing appears to happen. The easiest way to check this is to remove the plug from the front panel connector and see if it works properly.

Depending on the type of CPU it's possible that it's been put in incorrectly and you'll need to remove it just to make sure that there are no bent pins in it if there are you can virtually kiss the CPU good bye also when you turn on the unit feel the heat sink on the CPU and see if it gets hot at least if nothing else you'll know if there is any power getting to the CPU.

Col

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