United3dArtists Archive

froo · Post by **froo** » 03 Jul 2012, 23:47

Hey folks. Here's what I have.

I tested the boot drive on another machine to see if I could read it. I cannot. I ensured I could read another drive with the setup. I could.

When I boot the machine, shouldn't I get at least some information on the monitor about counting memory, the BIOS date and brand, the option to enter the boot menu, etc. before the system attempts to access the disk? I get none of that.

I think my other computer, built in 2006 or so, is now toast. Yeah. I love it. Fun Times! I say that dripping with sarcasm.

Please let me know what you guys think. Thanks!

Froo

EDIT:

Hm my laptop has a couple extra ports on it; one is a VGA; the other is eh, forget what you call it but I may be able to use the twin lcd monitors with the laptop. We'll see. Dang.

jamesmc · Post by **jamesmc** » 04 Jul 2012, 00:08

Lay the hard drive on its side (or the whole computer if cords not long enough) to make sure it's not a bad plug-in slot.

If it tries to boot, could be a loose connection.

Could just use a CD to boot up and see if you can read the drive.

If you can, go to C:\windows and type in FIXBOOT (I think that is the command, not sure)

Either that or just transfer the entire contents to a new HD.

v3rd3 · Post by **v3rd3** » 04 Jul 2012, 03:17

Sounds like multiple possibilities.

No info on startup is usually a bios problem. If the machine has suffered any shock lately check the bios battery to see if it has been jarred. Change the battery just to make sure you have a good one if there are no signs of bad connections.

If the battery is ok and still no start then look for signs of loose connectors. If still no bios your problem is deeper.

Check the mobo for obvious signs of damage and post here to describe what you find.

TBH given the amount of damage you describe you may have suffered a bad power spike and the whole thing is fried.

Keep us posted and we will try to help.

froo · Post by **froo** » 04 Jul 2012, 05:26

Thanks james and v3rd3.
The hard drive itself, is dead. I connected it to my laptop using this IDE to USB converter thing. It was not detected. I tested a known-good working drive in the same fashion, and it read just fine.

I have had trouble with this computer for years. If it was off for several days, then I had the same type of hard drive problem: the HDD light would stay on. I think the screen would read: Detecting IDE drives... but hang.

I have seen it degenerate recently. I could not get a LAN connection either. I have had trouble with the USB connections for the mouse and keyboard. Long story short I think the motherboard was just falling apart.

Oh well.

Thanks.

Froo

jamesmc · Post by **jamesmc** » 04 Jul 2012, 05:52

Yeah, on older PC's I've had motherboads overheat due to (unknown) and harddrive controller fry because of the heat generator by the motherboard.

froo · Post by **froo** » 04 Jul 2012, 15:41

Yeah it bites. Just feel like throwing in the towel. On the bright side, that's more stuff I can get out of the house. Maybe I can sell the parts. No sense in trying to use most of the parts for another computer since the technology is at least a few generations old. Maybe I can sell them at a computer store.
One thing I could try is just replacing the CMOS battery though I doubt that is the problem. Strange that all of a sudden I get no info at all. That could be caused by a CMOS battery, but it's also rather odd that the hard drive is suddenly dead, at the same time. I think v3rd3 is right, regarding the power spike. Like much of the country, we've had a heat wave. While we don't have AC (we have a swamp cooler which is pretty cool actually - yeah pun intended) - it's much cheaper. But with all the ACs running in other houses we could have gotten a few good wallops.

I really want to build another computer but we have other major expenses to deal with: brakes (both axles) on my car, preparations for replacing my wife's car in about 6 months, hopefully longer, etc.

BTW... does anyone use a laptop with external monitors? I wonder if I can use both the VGA and HDMI ports at the same time, to get 2 or 3 screens (one is the laptop screen) going?
The video card on my laptop is the NVidia GeForce GT240M.

Just a little rant:
A lot of our stuff is old and well used, and is falling apart. Both computers we've had for a number of years are now dead. My cell phone is working, but the battery cover is taped to hold it in place. The CD player in my car is on the blink; we play CD's, and they stop often. Gah! No these aren't life necessities but geez. Just annoying.

Finis · Post by **Finis** » 04 Jul 2012, 17:33

froo wrote:A lot of our stuff is old and well used, and is falling apart.

Welcome to the club. A lot of folks are in that situation. We have things that are a legacy of prosperity from less crazy times and now can't repair or replace them.

The computer, with the damaged drive in it, does nothing on boot? No bios stuff on the screen? That does sound like the battery is dead or the bios damaged. You verified that the drive is damaged. I'd say it is worth trying a new battery.

froo · Post by **froo** » 04 Jul 2012, 23:41

I'll have to get one. I have one that is very very similar, but I doubt they are identical. I dropped that one in, no success.

froo · Post by **froo** » 05 Jul 2012, 04:37

I have a few friends here in CO that may be able to help at least, verify the 'pulse' of the parts. We'll see.
Since it's been so hot, lots of folks are running their ACs and such, so I bet the power surges just kinda killed it. I'll try the CMOS battery just in case. The power supply could have gotten BBQ'd too.

v3rd3 · Post by **v3rd3** » 05 Jul 2012, 10:22

If the powersupply is fused it could fry and basically absorb the worst of the hit and the other parts may not all be damaged.

Test anything you try to sell cuz, TBH, it sounds like it all is dead and there is no value in damaging your rep for a few bucks on old parts.

GL

jamesmc · Post by **jamesmc** » 05 Jul 2012, 12:44

Froo may never find out what is wrong with his computer, but insiders provided some photos that could lead to investigations on desktop sacrificial rituals.

BNG · Post by **BNG** » 05 Jul 2012, 14:29

BTW... does anyone use a laptop with external monitors? I wonder if I can use both the VGA and HDMI ports at the same time, to get 2 or 3 screens (one is the laptop screen) going?
The video card on my laptop is the NVidia GeForce GT240M.

I tried it on my old laptop because my monitor is kind of fubared, and it worked fine. I too need to replace my laptop with something newer then Windows ME.

spacekdet · Post by **spacekdet** » 05 Jul 2012, 15:19

Is it one of THE INFECTED?

: 28-days-later-duo.jpg (26.92 KiB) Viewed 4521 times

I just threw a big box of outdated parts in the shed. Later on I'll just throw them away. Damn technology.

Steinie · Post by **Steinie** » 05 Jul 2012, 15:56

A lot of theories on why your computer won't start. If the Main HD won't spin I would start there. Try the HD in another computer. If it doesn't spin... bingo.
You are right to have your friend test all the parts individually. CMOS battery would be my next thought.
Then the power supply. (volt meter tester will quickly eliminate these questions).
Fuses are next. (volt ohm continuity tester)
I really doubt the whole computer is fried. Do you have a voltage surge power strip hooked up?

We all have extra parts laying around. Let us know.
Sometimes updating is a blessing in disguise. (When you have some extra cash)

froo · Post by **froo** » 05 Jul 2012, 18:00

Geez James. Talk about Meltdown!
Thanks v3rd3; yeah if I were to sell anything I would definitely have it tested first.
Thanks BNG. I will try it. I was kinda feeling bummed so had no motivation to clean off the desk to try it.
Thanks Steinie. Yeah the hard drive is dead. I checked it on my laptop - I have one of those things that have an IDE connector, a SATA connector, and a USB connector. I plugged it into the laptop, no response. I will pick up a CMOS battery to see if that's the problem, as well as a power supply. The good thing is I can return them if neither provide success. If it is neither of these then the motherboard is toast.

I would love to upgrade; patience is tough sometimes. I need brakes and other things first gah. It'll pan out.

froo · Post by **froo** » 06 Jul 2012, 19:46

I found this on ebay. It is a used Socket 754 motherboard:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vi ... 0942252147"

I tried a new power supply and CMOS battery, with no luck.
Since I get no BIOS information at all, this looks like a motherboard issue.
The one thing I am not sure about, is whether my CPU is an Athlon 64 2600+ or 2800+.
The MSI specification sheet indicates the motherboard is compatible with a 2800+, but
there is no mention of 2600+ compatibility. For that reason I am a little reticent to buy it,
at least until I can get home and check.

Thoughts folks? I would certainly love to build a new system but it's definitely cheaper to
keep using what I have.

v3rd3 · Post by **v3rd3** » 06 Jul 2012, 20:19

What you have is burnt out and dead. Stop spending money on a dead box. Buy a box you can afford and a decent UPS.

froo · Post by **froo** » 06 Jul 2012, 21:31

Well that's true too. I figured if I could revive it for $30 then do it; on the other hand that's $30 I could put toward another system.
I just don't like tossing stuff (memory, CPU, video cards) that may still be useful to someone. I could always donate it and
at least, if they don't get reused, then the material can get recycled.
Thanks v3rd3!

RAYMAN · Post by **RAYMAN** » 07 Jul 2012, 08:36

froo wrote:Well that's true too. I figured if I could revive it for $30 then do it; on the other hand that's $30 I could put toward another system.
I just don't like tossing stuff (memory, CPU, video cards) that may still be useful to someone. I could always donate it and
at least, if they don't get reused, then the material can get recycled.
Thanks v3rd3!

Froo iI guess thats not so much the problem...
i think you are in the same boat as I am and very very many others....
We need to work on our income structure !

The everything is getting old thing is a pretty good sign of that.....
We need to find new ways of making enough money to keep things running well.It isnt easy in times like these but
its doable.....I think William is right but you need to be able to invest into new gear...
Froo you are smart so it should not be to hard for you...... and where is that old american business spirit ?
Peter

froo · Post by **froo** » 07 Jul 2012, 14:38

Thanks Rayman. Would be nice to do both: fix this one by just swapping out a motherboard, and get a new pc. I have two CRT monitors from before; would be nice to use the old computer for long renders since it's in a utility room anyway. Heck $30 is a tank of gas so I just feel it is worth a try. I cannot run out and get a new system right away anyway; I am watching the prices at microcenter. They have very good prices!

froo · Post by **froo** » 07 Jul 2012, 18:40

Yes, I concede.

I will see if I can donate these parts; that's preferable over recycling but we'll see.

At Microcenter they have a deal fora 6 core AMD CPU and a free mobo. I may wait til they have
a similar deal for the 8-core Boo Yah!

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