PC Fried? What's wrong with it?!

by shared_breathing Nov 24, 2003 9:14AM PST

I was just using my computer like usual last night, not doing anything out of the ordinary, had maybe 3 apps open. Out of nowhere it it freezes and completely shuts down. I tried to turn it back on after that but now it won't even turn on at all. When I try to turn it on I just get one long beep then two very short fast beeps and that's it, no display on the monitor or anything like that. After it froze, the monitor smelled like it was burning (it's a pretty old monitor) I'm not sure if this is at all related to what is wrong with the computer, I tried hooking up a different monitor (one that i know works) but that didn't help any.

My PC specs:
Windows XP Pro
P4 2.4 ghz
GeForce 4 ti4200
512 mb pc2700 ram
30 gig hd
soyo mobo

Discussion is locked

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Try reseating cards. Power off please...

by r. proffitt Forum moderator Nov 24, 2003 9:34AM PST

That's very similar to what beeps when your video card is unplugged. Try that first, then power off, check other connections, cards.

Bob

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Check your mobo manual for the beep codes.

by Ray Harinec Nov 24, 2003 9:35AM PST

For some that would mean no or bad video. Maybe your monitor zapped the video card.

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Re:Check your mobo manual for the beep codes.

by shared_breathing Nov 24, 2003 12:12PM PST

It says "1. Clear CMOS battery (JP5 connector, see Quick start guide for more info on how to clear the CMOS). 2. Check all the jumper settings on the M/B. 3. Check the memory module and the VGA card if inserted properly on the M/B . 4. If yes, change the memory module, it might be defective. Make sure the memory specification is supported by M/B. 5. Change the VGA card."
I don't know how to do steps 1 or 2. And if nothing else works I'm going to do steps 4 and 5. If anybody can let me know how to do 1/2 I'd very much appreciate it as I want to try to fix this without having to buy new parts to replace things that aren't broken. Thanks again for all your help.

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I would simply try another video card. Get a cheapy just for

by Ray Harinec Nov 24, 2003 12:37PM PST

checking. If it works, then get the card that you want. For the test card, don't worry if the resolution is correct, just that you got video. When you get a new card you will have to install the correct drivers for it. {the fact that you get the same beeps with the video card removed would seem to say that it was the video card that died] Just hope that it didn't damage the connctor for the card [the printed circuit wiring to the card].

I'm not sure why they want you to clear the CMOS [BIOS]. But here is some info

Basically, on the mobo there is a group of three pins, usually near the BIOS chip, near the battery on those PC's with the battery that is about the size of a quarter.

There will be a jumper connecting two of the pins. If you move the jumper to connect the other two [actually one of the pins is the same] and leave it that way for a minute or so and then put the jumper back where it was. That will reset the BIOS to the default settings.

When everything is working you can then go into the BIOS to make any special settings that you want.

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Re:I would simply try another video card. Get a cheapy just for

by shared_breathing Nov 24, 2003 1:06PM PST

Do you think there's any possibility of damaging a different video card from my other PC if I hook it up to my broken PC to see if it works?

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It is possible, maybe not real likely, but doing your own

by Ray Harinec Nov 25, 2003 4:19AM PST

troubleshooting takes risks like this. Eventually it will save a lot of money when, with experience, you no longer have to go to a shop for repairs.

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Robert Proffitt's post in the hardware forum

by Ray Harinec Nov 24, 2003 12:41PM PST

re warranty makes a lot of sense.

PC Fried? What's wrong with it?!

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