12 replies to this topic

[dobhar]

Well...it was bound to happen...my main WinXP rig bit the big one... http://www.smartestc...tyle_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif http://www.smartestc...tyle_emoticons/default/sad.gif It's been running for quite a few years...

Rebooted computer and Nothing...it just hangs at the BIOS screen...it detects the RAM then stops...it should be detecting HDD's and DVD's but nothing. Man...could be a number of things. Oh well, I gusee I've got some work to do...LOL

[dobhar]

Just finished installing WinXP SP3 on the Dell GX280 P4 3.0 GHz that I was playing with Linux on. At lease I will have a PC that I can use my dual 22" LCD's with until I figure out what borked. Maybe I should just file it away and get another???

Going to bed...will "play" with the PC tomorrow...

[Smokey]

Bummer, will it allow you in the bios. It sounds like a HD problem. If it can't find the master it won't even look for the slave because of the jumper configuration. No SATA drives in that computer, right?






EDIT; Wait a minute. Is the computer that crashed the same computer that you installed that evil SP3 on?

[Broni]

Bill's revenge, huh? :)

[dobhar]

Smokey said:

will it allow you in the bios. It sounds like a HD problem.

Nope...Just detects memory then hangs. Can't get into BIOS. Even If I remove the drives it hangs at the same spot. I'm thinking something borked on the Mobo...

Smokey said:

No SATA drives in that computer, right

Correct, IDE only

Smokey said:

EDIT; Wait a minute. Is the computer that crashed the same computer that you installed that evil SP3 on?

Yes, but it was a brand new install 2 weeks ago using a slipstreamed WinXP SP3 disc. I had no issues what so ever. Still thinking Mobo.

I'm getting my "spare" Dell up to speed and making that my main rig then I'll look at the other PC. If you have any suggestions bring them on...anything will help to diagnose.

Broni said:

Bill's revenge, huh? :)

Na, I don't think he would go after "Lil ole me"...more likely you or Smokey...LOLOLOL

[Smokey]

dobhar, on Jan 13 2009, 01:45 AM, said:

Still thinking Mobo.

Looks like this is the case.

I know that you probably already tried clearing the cmos but try it one more time. This time do it manually with the jumper but leave it unplugged without the mobo battery for about 30 minutes. Sounds weird but this worked for me more than once when I thought it was a bad mobo.

Does it post? If it does try this; when you start your computer, hold down the CTRL key and press F11

[Smokey]

Fifty bucks for a refurbished mobo.




http://kc8adu.ecrate...php?pid=3544544

[dobhar]

Smokey said:

Does it post?

Nope...it was hanging before it made it that far. It detected RAM then hung...

Anyways, I found the culprit...and it's not the Mobo, thank God... It was my USB 2.0 Card. When the PC "Posts" properly I can see that it was hanging at the "Initialize Plug and Play Cards" as I never saw that line when it hung.

I had removed the HDD's per my previous post but it still hung so I removed all the other Peripherals (DVD-ROM\DVD-RW, FDD, USB 2.0 Card, Sound Card, and NIC card) then booted PC and it posted and I could now get into the CMOS. Good not the Mobo. I then installed the hardware one piece at a time...
- Reinstalled the cables to the Optical drives...PC "Posts" properly
- Installed the HDD basket (holds 2-HDD's) and reinstalled cables...PC "Posts" properly
- Reinstalled cables to FDD...PC "Posts" properly
- Reinstalled the Sound Card...PC "Posts" properly
- Reinstalled the NIC Card...PC "Posts" properly

Well there is only one piece of hardware left...the USB 2.0 card...install card and PC hangs in BIOS as before...pull card PC boots. Install a spare USB 2.0 card and PC "Posts" properly...this time I let the PC fully boot in Windows WinXP.

Thanks Smokey...appreciate the suggestions... :)

[Smokey]

Good deal Dobhar. I'm happy for you. Your perseverance saved you a bunch of money and time. http://www.smartestc...tyle_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif

[Broni]

Nice job, guys :)

[Berton]

Been busy catching up after being gone for 5 days and just read this. A tip: I've found using Add-in PCI USB 2.0 cards with a different chipset than what is on the motherboard works best, e.g. use an NEC chip on the card versus the Intel, VIA or ALi, etc. that's on the motherboard. Makes it easier to identify in Device Manager.

[dobhar]

Thanks for the tip Berton... http://www.smartestc...tyle_emoticons/default/thumbsup.gif

[Audrey]

very interesting guys......what great co-operation....