dead computer-here are symptoms. Any ideas? ... or RIP?

[truop]

Here is the problem computer

emachines T2792 Specifications
CPU: Intel® Celeron® 2.70GHz Processor
128KB L2 cache & 400MHz FSB
Operating System: Genuine Microsoft® Windows® XP Home
Chipset: Intel® 845GV chipset
Memory: 256MB DDR (PC 2100)
Hard Drive: 80GB HDD
Optical Drive: 48x Max. CD-RW/DVD Combo Drive; 3.5" 1.44MB FDD
Video: Intel® Extreme Graphics 3D
64MB Shared memory
Sound: AC '97 Audio
Network: 10/100Mbps built-in Ethernet
Modem: 56K ITU v.92-ready Fax/Modem
Peripherals: Standard Multimedia Keyboard, 2-Button Wheel Mouse, Standard Stereo Speakers
Ports/Other: 6 USB 2.0 ports (2 on front), 1 Serial, 1 Parallel, 2 PS/2, Audio-In & Out
Dimensions: 7.25"W x 14.125"H x 16"D

add ons are graphics card + 512 DDR


1) first symptom- computer running, then totally shuts off
2) won't restart.
3) cleaned system (dust etc...)
4) boots, then runs for about 5 minutes; then goes dead again; unplug and plug in; turn on again- won't restart

5) only power supply fan works; no LED on front switch; pressing switch has no effect.

6) replaced power supply no effect
7) replaced mother board (with Biostar microATX 478mPGA socket; everything seemed normal- plugged in pressed power switch- power supply & CPU fan start; HDD led & power led light up- system does not boot (HDD LED on steady)

8) turned off power at Power supply switch; turned back on; now completely dead. nothing. no fan on power supply, no fan on CPU

9)put back in the old motherboard; cpu fan runs up until the time I plug in the 4 pin CPU power connector(found this by plugging in items to the motherboard one at a time with the power supply off then turning it on again); CPU starts to heat up; still will not boot; LEDs will not light; front panel power switch has no effect; there is power to the HDD, but it is absolutly silent; When I turn the power on I do hear a faint tick at the floppy drive like it was starting, but nothing further happens, even with a boot disk installed; the monitor self test is OK; says check computer and connections.

Thank you in advance for any tips or ideas!!

 

[wahnula]

truop,

You should not expect your new MB to boot with the old Emachines drive. I recommend putting the new MB back in w/ new PSU. 1 stick RAM, no HDD, no CD drive(s), no floppy, no keyboard, no mouse. Does the system POST? Shut down connect HDD & PS/2 keyboard...can you enter BIOS (press Delete Key while POSTing)? Does the BIOS see the HDD?

If so then connect the mouse and CD drive, enter BIOS, set the CD ROM as first boot device and boot from Windows CD. Pass the Recovery Console, you should get an option to "Repair Existing Installation". Choose that option, and let it run. Windows might ask for chipset drivers, have them ready, they will be on the Biostar CD. Best of luck, report back with the results.

Tony

 

[paparazi]

You only need to be around a forum like ours for a few months to realize that Emachines have a bit of a reputation for weak power supplies.
These particular PSU's nearly always fry the motherboard and occasionally even the hard drive gets zapped into the bargain.
You need to go back to bare bones, get a POST first, then start connecting things one at a time, disconect everything only connect what is essential in the first instance.
Are you sure you have a working power supply?
I'm better the original motherboard is also bad.
Martin

We like members to GIVE and not just TAKE.
Participate and help others.

 

[MonkeyX]

One other thing to look at might be the cpu fan and thermal paste. If the motherboard and psu replacement did the sme thing the cpu may be overheating. Completely remove the old stuff and replace it with something better. I have had this problem on systems I have built. The pad of thermal paste on some heatsinks out of the box is not always so great. However as I have been know to overclock my systems it may be a more crucial step in my builds.

 

[firewolfrl]

a bad harddrive will cause this to happen too
remover the drive and see if the system posts

 

[truop]

OK, I have the NEW MB out of the case. Only PSU (20 pin connector and 4 pin connector),CPU,CPU fan,1 card RAM, monitor,keyboard, & on/off switch installed.

I push the on button; the PSU fan & CPU fan start; the lights on the keyboard flash; I get NO video image displayed to indicate POST- screen remains blank and the standby light on the monitor continues to flash- seems to be no signal to the monitor.

I can turn the power off by pressing the on/off button for about 5 seconds.

I have an add-on video card I will plug into a PCI slot and try again.

Any other ideas?

THANK YOU IN ADVANCE FOR YOUR HELP!!

 

[stduc]

This is probably worth a try.

Disconnect from the mains & press the mobo power switch for 1 minute. The reconnect the mains and see what happens when you press the mobo power button. This will reset the PSU and clear any mobo retained error states.

You could also try having no RAM, keyboard or mouse & no vid card. Mobo should post & beep.

With dead systems I tend to add one thing at a time - literally. If I get post beeps with nothing. So then I will add RAM - beeps will change to indicate no vid card. Then add vid card - at that point one hopes to get a display and the inevitable 'keyboard error, no keyboard - press F1 to continue' (I love that message)

That way you soon discover the problem. But no beeps with no cards, RAM keyboard mouse or drives & the method doesn't necessarily work.

[navy]When I married "Miss Right" I didn't realise her first name was 'always'. LOL[/navy]

 

[DTracy]

I just had the exact same symptoms and replaced the CPU--presto, it started.

David.

 

[truop]

I got no POST under any circumstances. I took the Motherboard back where I bought it. They tried the CPU with a known good Motherboard and still no POST. They said the CPU is bad...

 

[ceh4702]

I have had problems with Processors going bad, but mostly with AMD Procressors. I have a Celeron Tulatin Core 1.2 gig processor at home and it just keeps running forever. It runs so cool it will just not give up.

Weak power supplies are typical in a lot of computer builds. OEM's tend to build computers with the bare limit of a power supply that will barely keep the system running. Maybe some E-machines are plagued with this problem as well. Obviously some power supplies are better than others. If your supplier tries to build the power supply or the motherboard too cheap then you get some failures. We have seen this with Capaciters that Leak causing parts to fail.

Computer parts want a power supply that provides a steady and very specific stream of power at the correct voltage Wattage. P4's use a lot of Watts to keep running consisitently. If they dont have enough or too much, or the power flow is not steady then you might see damage. If the processor gets too hot you might see damage.

If you do not like my post feel free to point out your opinion or my errors.