Troubleshooting advice

[Trist]

Hi!

I have built a PC that initially worked well. I use the machine as a home server so it has been on for 24x7. After a couple of weeks the box appeared hang and refuse to boot again ever after.

When booted no image (not even BIOS output) is shown on screen and no beeps are heard.

A power LED on the mother board lights up when I turn on the switch on the power supply. Soft power on/off work and initially the CPU and cooling fans start but after about 8 seconds they stop for like two seconds and then start again and continue runing (still no picture or beeps though).

I have tried the following with the same dissapointing result:

1. Removing all cards (except the display card)
2. Removing the PCIe display card and instead use an old PCI-based Matrox board
3. Replace the power supply with another

I am assuming that either the CPU or the motherboard has failed but I would like some advice about wich sounds most probable given the problem description (if possible to tell). I only have one CPU, one memory stick and one motherboard with the socket used (775) so in order to know for sure wich of them is broken I would need to buy a new component so therfore I hope to guess right on the first try!

All tips and sugestions are appreciated!!!

/Trist

[kilgoretrout]

Before buying anything, try this first:

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=168456

[Trist]

Originally Posted by kilgoretrout Before buying anything, try this first: http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.php?t=168456

Thanks for the link to the very informative thread! In my case the machine did however run perfectly for several weeks and during this time I did not even move the machine (even less replaced any components etc) so what I need is more info on repairing my home built box than making it work in the first place.

/Trist

[glc]

You have been directed to that thread for a very good reason. This is the troubleshooting procedure for *ANY* failed system, regardless of age.

In order to help you any farther, please follow the procedure, report results, and give us system specs with brands and models of the components. Thank you!