I have compaq presario 7464 with Wi

[Bimalaggarwal]

I have compaq presario 7464 with Windows 98. I cannot boot my pc . I hear the modem (internal) dial periodically.
What could be wrong?

 

[mainegeek]

Does it power up? Try removing your modem. Dead devices can keep a system from powering up or booting.

 

[Bimalaggarwal]

The pc does power up, but no visible output on the monitor.
I have been using this modem since last 2 years as it is.

 

[Kento]

Maybe your monitor died. If possible hook your case up to another monitor to test if it works. You might have to take it to a repair shop if you don't have another monitor to test with.

 

[mainegeek]

Is your phone line run through a surge protector? Do you have a Network Card installed? I am a tech and I see this quite often. 90% of the time it is from a bad card. Usually a network card that has taken a hit. Sometimes it is caused by a card that has been unseated slightly. Have you relocated your PC recently? Have you experienced lighting recently?

 

[Bimalaggarwal]

My PC is on a table with wheels, so the kids possibly move it a bit . May be the card is unseated slightly as you (mainegeek) suggest. No lighting was observed recently.
I had a proper shut down previously. But when I started my pc the next day, I could hear the modem dial (I was not connected to the telephone line at that time).
The pc booted on the first instance, and I could connect to the internet.
But my pc hung and never booted properly again. I can see hear the modem dial (strange, I am not connected to the phone line during start up).
Also, my scandisk hangs midway sometimes, when I restart my pc after an abnormal shutdown.

 

[Bimalaggarwal]

Any expert suggestions on this ? I need to fix the problem this weekend on an urgent basis.

 

[wolluf]

You haven't really explained what happened before the problem started - so its difficult to diagnose. If you're happy opening the case and removing/replacing components, mainegeek's suggestion taken a bit further is probably best approach (ie, remove modem and any other cards, other than graphics card - if it boots without them, put them back one at a time). Common approach where PC won't boot is to disconnect EVERYTHING (drives, cards etc) possible (ie, just leave one stick of memory, graphics card and keyboard attached - see if it will boot to bios. If it does - put things back one at a time, you should discover culprit). If it won't boot with minimal, swap the memory, remove the graphics card - without graphics card you should be abble to hear if it boots - series of beeps. If still won't boot, probably cpu or motherboard.

 

[Bimalaggarwal]

If you read my previous posting more carefully,I have written what happened before the problem started. I am reptroducing it below:
(Can I somhow start the pc in standby mode, using something like ,pressing F8 key continuously duribg power on)

"But when I started my pc the next day, I could hear the modem dial (I was not connected to the telephone line at that time).
The pc booted on the first instance, and I could connect to the internet.
But my pc hung and never booted properly again. I can see hear the modem dial (strange, I am not connected to the phone line during start up).
"

 

[BradSQLGuy]

Hello Bimalaggarwal. Here is what it sounds like to me. Drivers Drivers Drivers!! Since you say you have no display you can try to boot in Safe Mode by pressing the F8 key during boot. If you get a display then it is a driver issue. If you don't then it is going to be a bad Video card. If it's a driver issue you need an updated driver or reinstall the orignial driver because it may be corrupted. I highly doubt it has anything to do with your monitor because when monitors start going out the display on them changes funny colors or starts getting distorted. Also when you boot into Safe Mode does your modem try to dial up then? If not it is also a driver issue. Reload the drivers or get updated drivers. You can also try to run Modem diagnostics on the modem to see if it is working properly. If safe mode doesn't work it is 99.999999% (<---you get the idea) of the time your video card and it will need replacement. -Brad
A+, MCSE NT4, MCDBA SQL7

-Best cartoon of all time :-D 'Spongebob Squarepants'

 

[wolluf]

You say machine powers up - but no visible output. When it powers up, are there any beeps? Or is it just fans whirring? If there are beeps (at least one), it is booting, otherwise its is not. If its not booting, your best approach is the one mainegeek & I described above. If it is booting, and no display it will be graphics card or monitor.

 

[BradSQLGuy]

Oh yes one more thing!!!!! Very important. While in Safe Mode check your resolution settings (pixels). Alot of monitors can't handle a high pixel setting so you need to lower it down to usually to 800x600. -Brad
A+, MCSE NT4, MCDBA SQL7

-Best cartoon of all time :-D 'Spongebob Squarepants'

 

[mainegeek]

I take it that you have already checked for unseated cards and pulled your modem out and it still won't boot?

 

[Bimalaggarwal]

I opened my PC case and discovered that the sound comes from the Hard Disk ( and not the modem , as I guessed earlier , as the sound is similar to a modem dialling).
I discussed this with a friend and he suggested that the problem may be due th ageing of the hard disk. I am not sure.
How can I fix this.
For your info, my PC boots now fine.But the noise, hanging of the pc still continues as before.

 

[wolluf]

Your friend is probably correct. You need to back up any critical data now & buy a new hard drive. If you want to transfer your system as is, there's normally a utility (either with drive on on manufacturer's website) which will do this for you. I'd suggest not using PC (other than to back up critical data - assuming you have suitable backup device) until you are ready to transfer files (as a failing drive might become a failed drive before you can transfer system).