[ReeceBartleCoates]

My old desktop does not reach POST, it doesn't 'beep' and the visual output will not work, tried on 3 new and working moniters.
This has been a problem for a good while and i just never have had time to get around to fixing it, now it comes down to it, i dont actually know how.
Please reply to this topic if you wish to help and you need more information.

[coastie65]

ReeceBartleCoates, on 30 October 2012 - 04:23 AM, said:

My old desktop does not reach POST, it doesn't 'beep' and the visual output will not work, tried on 3 new and working moniters.
This has been a problem for a good while and i just never have had time to get around to fixing it, now it comes down to it, i dont actually know how.
Please reply to this topic if you wish to help and you need more information.

Hi. The Make and Model # of your computer as well as the specs would be helpful. I can say this, I have a laptop here that pretty much does the same. It IS getting through post, but no beeps either ands no screen image. Tried it on an External Monitor, same results. I have determined the the GPU is dead and need to replace the MOBO. If you are running on and onboard Graphics chipset, you may wish to try a dedicated card.

[LiveBrianD]

Have you tried removing the CMOS battery for a few minutes? (it's the coin battery next to the PCIe x16 slot, where you can put a graphics card)

[ReeceBartleCoates]

LiveBrianD, on 30 October 2012 - 05:52 AM, said:

Have you tried removing the CMOS battery for a few minutes? (it's the coin battery next to the PCIe x16 slot, where you can put a graphics card)

Tried this already with no luck

[LiveBrianD]

Have you checked to make sure the battery is still fresh? (I've seen this prevent a machine from booting before, even though it supposedly just causes the system to forget the time.)

[ReeceBartleCoates]

LiveBrianD, on 30 October 2012 - 08:04 AM, said:

Have you checked to make sure the battery is still fresh? (I've seen this prevent a machine from booting before, even though it supposedly just causes the system to forget the time.)

I am using a completely new battery

[ReeceBartleCoates]

coastie65, on 30 October 2012 - 05:22 AM, said:

ReeceBartleCoates, on 30 October 2012 - 04:23 AM, said:

My old desktop does not reach POST, it doesn't 'beep' and the visual output will not work, tried on 3 new and working moniters.
This has been a problem for a good while and i just never have had time to get around to fixing it, now it comes down to it, i dont actually know how.
Please reply to this topic if you wish to help and you need more information.

Hi. The Make and Model # of your computer as well as the specs would be helpful. I can say this, I have a laptop here that pretty much does the same. It IS getting through post, but no beeps either ands no screen image. Tried it on an External Monitor, same results. I have determined the the GPU is dead and need to replace the MOBO. If you are running on and onboard Graphics chipset, you may wish to try a dedicated card.

It is a very old and knackered machine, the only details i can find are the following:
MAKE - Time
MODEL- V.3.1
I currently have two of them, the first has the noted issue(s) and the second, only recently aquired from family just wont turn on at all, compared to the first which turns on for as long as i want(still not reaching POST).

[LiveBrianD]

Do you have a multimeter? If so, find a molex connector in the machine:



Yellow and a black connector (it doesn't matter which one) should equal 12V +/-5%, while red and a black connector should equal 5V +-/ 5%.

[ReeceBartleCoates]

LiveBrianD, on 01 November 2012 - 03:38 PM, said:

Do you have a multimeter? If so, find a molex connector in the machine:



Yellow and a black connector (it doesn't matter which one) should equal 12V +/-5%, while red and a black connector should equal 5V +-/ 5%.

I aren't really sure how to use my multimeter, it's digital and i have no clue which setting to use.

[LiveBrianD]

I'll take some pictures of this when I get home.

[ReeceBartleCoates]

LiveBrianD, on 02 November 2012 - 10:43 AM, said:

I'll take some pictures of this when I get home.

Thanks, i look forward to you reply

[LiveBrianD]

The forum wiki is such a pain with images that I gave up on that...

So...
First, find a molex connector:








Then, set the multimeter to a mode that looks like a V with a line with dots above. (that means DC power - do NOT use the setting that has a curved line above it - that's AC power)



By the way, the black lead (negative) goes into the COM port, and the red one (positive) goes into the one that says V, ohm symbol, and arrow with a plus sign merged into it (meaning diode). If you have connectors that say things like '400MA' and '10A', ignore those. (like this: http://www.kiesub.co...g/fluke-177.jpg)



Then, to measure 12V (the CPU and GPU are heavy on this), plug the red lead on the multimeter into the yellow part of the molex connector. Plug the black lead into any of the 2 black plugs on the power supply. (it doesn't matter which)




To measure 5V, do the same, but connect the red lead of the multimeter to the red one on the power supply. Again, connect the black lead to either black plug on the power supply.

This post has been edited by LiveBrianD: 02 November 2012 - 05:30 PM

[ReeceBartleCoates]

Two questions:
1. my multimeter has the following opitions under the 'V' with straight line above -500
-200
-20
-2000m
-200m
which should i use?
2. does the PSU need to be connected to all the components it usually would or can it be tested with only the power cable inserted?

[LiveBrianD]

I think those are for current - you want the V with a straight line in any case.

Also, you can start a power supply without the rest of the components (motherboard, hard drive, etc) if you jumper it correctly, but I'd rather you not do this - I want to make sure, WITH the usual load, that it's working properly. (That said, I took those pictures on a spare machine, and didn't connect a mouse or keyboard because I couldn't be bothered to. That won't really have any impact on the PSU's load.)

This post has been edited by LiveBrianD: 03 November 2012 - 08:42 AM