Failing POST Test- Please Help!!!!!!!

[vxdell]

My computer froze up on me. It's a 1.5Ghz P3 White Box with 256MB of ram running XP Home. I turned it off and tried to turn it back on. There was no activity, the machine was dead.

I purchased a 250W ATX power supply to replace the original 180W ATX power supply. Upon bootup, the computer would only go part way through the POST. It stops right before the Hardware Detection phrase.

I can enter the Setup mode but not the Safe mode. I have tried to reboot multiple times, but it usually stops at the same hardware detection phrase of the POST.

On one occassion it made it through the POST, and I was able to boot from the floppy. I was able to use DOS and see the directory of the C: drive.

On another occassion, it made it through the POST and boot sequence but the screen was blank. However most times, it just hangs at the hardware detection point.

I've tried unplugging all the devices from the Motherboard but that didn't work. I've reseated the RAM and also tried using a different RAM card, that didn't work either. I've also tried a different hard drive. Needless to say, that didn't work either. I'm at a lost. Can anyone help me. PLEASEEEE!!

 

[franklin97355]

Have you checked the faq for no video on this forum?

 

[ski]

The failed PS may have damaged either the MB or CPU.

 

[Triton101]

Have you tried going into the BIOS and loading Setup Defaults, or failsafe defaults ? Maybe when the power supply took a hit it messed up the BIOS.

Also you can try to clear the CMOS using the jumper on the MOBO. Check your user guide for the MOBO to see where it is located.(Make sure to power the PC off and unplug the power from the power supply before moving the jumper).

 

[BadBigBen]

I would suggest a IDE ribbon cable replacement... sometimes these are at fault and are likely overlooked...

then check all of your connections for correct placement and seating...

Clearing the CMOS, as suggested, is a good point to start...

if all this fails... then mostlikely one of your IDE channels is busted... try turning one at a time off, withing the BIOS setup, to see if this holds true...

if the mobo is bad then I would shop around for another P3 motherboard, they run between €20 to €30 (in Germany) and are mostlikely similiarly priced in Dollars in the States...

Ben