Fuchsrohre

Back in my original thread
http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/showthrea...herboard+power

I outlined the problems I had with a mate's computer. I've sinced swapped out the motherboard and psu and find exactly the same problem...

WHAT DOES WORK
When the computer is switched on at the mains, the computer *automatically comes on* (regardless of whether I've even connected the powerswitch cable to the motherboard or not). Also, cpu fans rotate, the motherboard green power led illuminates, cd-roms can be ejected if needed, hard disks rotates up to speed.

WHAT DOESN'T WORKT
There's no display whatsoever

The fact the motherboard powers up immediatelyt as soon as the mains is switched on intrigues me - I was wondering if a damaged CPU - the only component I haven't swapped out yet, can cause this ?

DrEvil

When I had this it was the PSU at fault re auto power up - which is why I don't use OCZ or Antec NeoPower PSUs anymore (both faulty on arrival).

As for nothing on screen - are you sure the GFX card works?

rosqo

I have had something like this before and it was faulty memory. The PC powered up when the power was connected to it and the hard disk spun up but the screen remained blank.

swaussie

FWIW, I had a dead Proc once and I had the same symptoms, the board would show lights, drives would spin up but could get nothing on the screen. I replaced the board, ram and graphics card and couldnt believe it was the processor as it was only a month old and had been working perfectly without any sign it was on its way out. I managed to convince a mate to lend me his processor and it booted fine, so rtm'ed the proc and bought myself a celeron and built a webserver with the old bits

Nick

I see that your m/b is MSI. They have an excellent support forum here. You could post yor full specs so we can see if your PSU is ok. In addition, run memtest86 to test your RAM & swap out the graphics card as a test.

BlkKnight

Remove the CPU and inspect VERY carefully for bent pins.

You can streighten them out if you are even more careful!

Fuchsrohre

man, now I know why I don't repair PC's for a living - what a freakin' pain in the ****.

SO from what people have said - it could be the RAM, ir could be the processor ?!?!

SHouldn't a motherboard boot with no RAM ? They should use BIOS memory to at least POST ?

MJW

If the RAM's at fault the machine won't POST

Fuchsrohre

turned out the replacement motherboard was a dud - in fact the shop that sold it to me sold it as a new one, but I soon realised it wasn't - the jumpers were setup incorrectly, etc...

replaced motherboard with a new one and hey presto!

now XP Home is stuck in a loop - at the login screen it says it needs to be activated, but when I click activate it says its already been activated - good old microsoft!

Warnign: This is what happens when your mate turns to you and says:
"My PC is acting a bit strange lately - any chance you can have a look?"

Ian Cook

You will have to phone them and activate it that way !

Say you will phone and activate, its all automated so should be ok !