Computer has been stored for some time, now fails to boot.

[anthonyj2422]

I would be grateful for some advice. Computer has been stored for some time, now fails to boot.  I have put in a known working graphics card in case of card failure - but this is definitely a boot problem. I have checked memory - ok. I have reset bios - still no boot. Power supply is working - at least the fans are. I have replaced bios battery - no good. Even bios won't boot. Screen remains blank, no post, no beeps. Could it be a corrupt bios, or motherboard failure? Any ideas very welcome. Many thanks, Anthony.

[2k_dummy]

Will it boot from a floppy or CD?

[contrex]

Will it boot from a floppy or CD?

I'm thinking not, if it won't POST. Anthony, how long was it stored? Could it have got wet? Could it have received a shock or got dropped? How do you know the memory is OK? The fact that its fans are revolving does not mean the PSU is OK. Is the CPU seated properly? Do you hear any seek sounds from the HDD?

[anthonyj2422]

It may have got slightly damp. It has 2 sticks of memory - tested by booting with each stick - no boot. There are seek sounds from HD, and I have reseated the processor. It was stored in an attic. If the HD was faulty, surely it would boot to floppy. If it did get damp, I wonder if a heat gun carefully used might work. Many thanks for your courteous help - much appreciated. Cornwall in the UK can be somewhat damp. Anthony.

[contrex]

It has 2 sticks of memory - tested by booting with each stick - no boot.

That proves what exactly?

If the HD was faulty, surely it would boot to floppy.

If the only thing wrong was the HD.

If it did get damp, I wonder if a heat gun carefully used might work.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Keep it in a reasonably warm place for a few days, maybe near to a radiator, but stay GENTLE with the warming for God's sake!

Cornwall in the UK can be somewhat damp. Anthony.

It can get quite damp here in Bristol

How long since you got it down from the attic?

[patio]

and I have reseated the processor.

Did you re-apply thermal compound ? ?

And the first thing i would do is borrow a known working PSU and swap it in there...as contrex stated working fans is no indication of PSU health...

[anthonyj2422]

Contrex, you were right to be suspicious of the memory. While fiddling, I chanced to press the reset button, which immediately set off a long beep - the first noise. Why the reset button did this is a mystery. Thinking long beep meant memory, I had another go. This time it booted on one of the sticks. Rooting around in my box produced some more PC133, known to work, but it wouldn't boot on them. Nevertheless, I persevered and all 3 slots are now ok. Perhaps the slots were damp. I have not come across this before; I mean memory ok, slots problematic. It may have needed more time to dry out. Or perhaps dust? Many thanks to all, Anthony.

[contrex]

Memory Ok, slots bad is quite common on motherboards which have been stored for a long while. Dust, mould, condensation, or a mixture... The contact areas are tiny and the method of connection depends on every one of up to 100 tiny contacts being up to spec. Glad to hear you made progress.