pc no start

[mobey]

hey all, got a pc push button to start trys to start,& keeps trying to boot up but no go, nothing on screen just keeps trying to start untill I switch off at point. pc dude thinks its a motherboard problem & wonts to rebuild it, but motherboard is no longer available, which means total rebuild.just wondering if anyone has an idea of the problem,pc guy just wonts to make money I think or he doesent know.
cheers.

[EzyStvy]

What is the history behind the problem?
Was the pc working fine till one day it randomly started doing this? Or did you make ANY type of change to the prior to the issue starting?

[jdeb]

System specs ?

Is the PC booting and rebooting on it's own ?... continuous boot loop is what they call it.

IS it XP? Not sure based on your description but you made need to do the following in the link below

How to Fix a Windows XP Reboot Loop | eHow.com

[mobey]

thanks guys for the reply, I think I have tracked it down to either power supply or motherboard. Now the big question is which one, is there an easy way to chex the power supply maybe under load or something, or it could be the motherboard. PC tryies to start up but then shuts down & it will keep trying untill I cut the power, doesent even get to the monitor (black screen).
it could be either one but trying to find out which one, dont wont to by new power supply if its a mother problem or visa versa.

[mobey]

Sorry JDEB the system is xp & its my sons cheeper side gameing pc, & its about 3 years old so the mother board is prob out of circulation & everything in the pc is prob out of date, but he can play all net games on the thing.
cheers.

[rwest]

if you own a multimeter:
How To Manually Test a Power Supply With a Multimeter
Another option may be to borrow one from someone you know. I've been known to steal one from a family members pc to test with. You just need to be sure it's at minimal comparable to the one you want tested. Or you can connect your suspected psu to a known working pc, here you want to be sure your psu is rated properly for the testing pc.

ie How about your psu in your computer? You could pull it and see if it will boot your son's. But you will need to verify that your psu is strong enough to power your son's unit. To verify, try the suspected psu connected up to your pc.

unless both PCs are from completely different era's (assuming thier both (compaqs/hp/...)they are probably fairly interchangeable-if not sure, post the specs to both PSUs and thier repsective units

[glc]

System specs, please.

[jdeb]

Originally Posted by mobey Sorry JDEB the system is xp & its my sons cheeper side gameing pc, & its about 3 years old so the mother board is prob out of circulation & everything in the pc is prob out of date, but he can play all net games on the thing. cheers.

System specs please....

You did not answer my question to clarify the reboot problem... you may not have a hardware problem. It may be cheaper to answer our questions For example, if it is a continuous boot loop, the fix is in the link I provided which will not cost you a dime.

[strollin]

Originally Posted by rwest ... Another option may be to borrow one from someone you know. I've been known to steal one from a family members pc to test with. You just need to be sure it's at minimal comparable to the one you want tested. Or you can connect your suspected psu to a known working pc, here you want to be sure your psu is rated properly for the testing pc. ...

One caution when swapping psus between machines. I would be very cautious about connecting a suspect psu to a known good machine. There's a small but real chance that a bad psu can damage a good mobo. There's also a small chance that a bad mobo will damage a good psu. However, I would rather end up with 2 bad psus and 1 bad mobo than end up with 2 bad mobos and 1 bad psu. A psu is much easier and less costly to replace than a mobo so don't take chances with a known working mobo.

[Hpro]

Hi there mobey

If the POWER Light lightens UP try followings:

Check the Cable from the PC to the MONITOR - remove it and reconnect it.. and try again if the PC dont boot then follow the Steps below.

1. Disconnect the PC from Walloutlet
2. Switch Off the PSU Switch if there is one at the Back
3. Wait for 5 Minutes
4. Reconnect the PC to Walloutlet
5. Switch the PSU Switch at the back of your PC back on... if there is one.
6. Press the Power Button to Start the PC.

Question does it Boot up?

If the PC still doesnt boot up :

1. Disconnect from Walloutlet
2. Open the Cover
3. Look for the CMOS Batterie * CR2032* is a Flat 2 cm in Diameter Cell Batt
4. Remove the Battery - If you have a Multimeter then Measure the Voltage - Must read not less than 2.0 Volts.. Buy a new one, price should not be more than 1 USD
5. If Battery is OK - Insert it again. otherwise Buy a new one and insert it.
Caution: Some Motherboards will not POWER UP when CMOS Battery has been Removed or the Voltage has dropped below 2.0 Volts
6. Connect to Walloutlet
7. Press the Power Button to Power up

If it boots up you need to Adjust the BIOS - there is nothing much to do for you except adjusting Time and Date and to save this state.

If it don't Boot up then you need to look out for the NAME OF THE MOTHERBOARD or the Computer at last.. and post back.

If there are any Beeps then follow this Code:

No Beep - Usually BIOS Crashed - Doing as in Part two above will fix it.
1 Long Beep - RAM ERROR or Board CPU RAM error
Several short Beeps - Bios Crash - may Corrupt
3 short 1 long Beep - Graphic Card Error
2 Short 1 Long - No Connection to Monitor - Check Monitor Cable
1 short Beep - Normal Bootup in Progress - even if the Monitor doesn't show a picture then check the Connection between the PC and the Monitor.

Not all Motherboards are Beeping by Failure!

Also look a the 3 LEDS at your Keyboard... those must lighten up for second after you pressed the Powerbutton of the PC.

Also check fo Bad Smell inside the PC... Remove DUST using a Blower or Pressed Air

Still no Boot - Post back the Specs

If you followed the steps above and it still doesnt boot up or you do not see the POWER Light up at the front LED of the PC, then mostly PSU is bad.. Exchange the PSU will fix the PC.

Hope this helps..