Thanks for the suggestions. On rereading my email, perhaps I wasn't clear. My computer is not actually getting to the BIOS screen, it's only doing the quick text display that the nVidia graphics chip flashs just before the motherboard bios takes over. Power supply is a good suggestion but no, nothing untoward sounding and the CD and DVD roms operate so the 12V rail is probably good. I'll test the supply to the harddrives but I am still suspcious that the BIOS screens aren't coming up. Thanks for the suggestions. On 21/07/06, Glenn Enright <elinar(a)ihug.co.nz> wrote:
On Friday 21 July 2006 12:26, Chris O'Halloran wrote:
Is the motherboard stuffed? Is the BIOS stuffed?
Any thoughts or recommendations etc.
Chris
OK easy stuff first. Make sure the keyboard is plugged in properly. All the other plugs are seated properly. Actually remove and re-plug them.
Can you access the bios menu? Does it all look sensible? Try changing a non-essential value, saving and then see if it boots? Or resetting the bios to default values.
How many different things screens do you see on screen? I'm not sure about the nvidia bios but sound like it runs a custom splash screen. can you turn this off in the bios? The you should see something similar to the follwing three screens, the graphics card is detected, then post screen where disk drives are found and memory checked, then another screen that lists bios settings for components and a message "Booting..."
If you still have no joy my first thought is that your power supply is fried. Does it smell bad (burnt acidic smell)? Fan goes etc? Strange sounds comming from it? eg ticking snapping or other :( similar things.
You seem to be happy enough to open the case so here's some other ideas. BIG FAT NOTE: Don't have the pc plugged into the mains while you do this, and wear an antistatic wrist strap. Read all of the below before starting.
Vibration can jiggle components out of place. As a last resort, very carefully remove and and reseat all components including power plugs an memory sticks.If needful do the same to the CPU, but remember that you will need to clean off and reapply the contact material for the heatsink.
-- Nobody ever forgets where he buried the hatchet. -- Kin Hubbard
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