Welcome guest. Before posting on our computer help forum, you must register. Click here it's easy and free.

« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Potential motherboard/POST problem  (Read 2871 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

mcresswell.uk

    Topic Starter


    Greenhorn

    Potential motherboard/POST problem
    « on: April 07, 2008, 02:47:07 AM »
    Hi guys,

    I've got a problem which is confusing the *censored* out of me.

    I overclocked my PC about a year ago and it's been running stable for over a year, now it has suddenly stopped working. It crashed when I was using it and now it won't work again.

    When switched on everything is getting power (fans turning, hard drives running, motherboard light on etc.) however the monitor remains blank and the PC doesn't beep to suggest that the POST has successfully completed.

    I have tested the monitor and it works fine on another PC.

    I used a PCI debug card to attempt to diagnose the problem and when run it came up with a code 81, which according to the documentation, suggests a keyboard input error. When i'm booting the PC i have no devices attached to it and i'm beginning to think its the motherboard circuitry that's at fault.

    Is it worth clearing the CMOS?

    Also the same thing has just happened to me on another PC, after taking out and replacing the monitor cable whilst it was running it now has the same above symptoms. Is hot-swapping VGA cables dangerous?

    The only thing the two PCs have in common is that they are both using LG monitors which show 'Analog power saving mode' when you switch them on and then turn themselves off.

    Any help would be greatly appreciated!
    Logged

    squall_01



      Prodigy

      Thanked: 80
      Re: Potential motherboard/POST problem
      « Reply #1 on: April 07, 2008, 03:52:41 AM »
      Here a few things I would try first, take out the RAM see if it dont beep, try the video card in another machine or replace it, usually at fault when this happens
      Logged
      Windows 7 RC Tester.  Working on it.  Your monitor says etchasketch on the side!

      If I fall who is there to pick me up now.  I stand alone but I stand as the gaurdian for whom I wish to protect.  The sound of my blade utters my name as you fall.  For I shall not move.  For those that forsake the very people are wosres

      patio

      • Moderator


        • Genius
      • Maud' Dib
        • Thanked: 1769
        • Yes
      • Experience: Beginner
      • OS: Windows 7
      Re: Potential motherboard/POST problem
      « Reply #2 on: April 07, 2008, 07:39:21 AM »
      Clearing the CMOS is worth a try at this point in time...
      NOTE: Your overclock settings will not be retained.

      Borrow or buy a PS2 keyboard also...everyone should have one

      Hot swapping VGA cables is dangerous and could very well be the reason you now have no video.
      Logged
      " Anyone who goes to a psychiatrist should have his head examined. "

      mcresswell.uk

        Topic Starter


        Greenhorn

        Re: Potential motherboard/POST problem
        « Reply #3 on: April 08, 2008, 06:31:54 AM »
        Thanks for your helpful comments.

        I tried booting the PC without the video card in and still had no beeps.

        I then tried booting the PC without the video card and the RAM and I had three short beeps [pause] then three more short beeps, i guess this just means no RAM.

        If I had onboard video then I would have a way of determining whether or not it is the video card that's at fault.

        I'm still not sure whether it could be the motherboard or not?  ???

        P.S. I wasn't aware of the risks of hot-swapping VGA cables, thanks for the tip!
        Logged

        patio

        • Moderator


          • Genius
        • Maud' Dib
          • Thanked: 1769
          • Yes
        • Experience: Beginner
        • OS: Windows 7
        Re: Potential motherboard/POST problem
        « Reply #4 on: April 08, 2008, 07:30:03 AM »
        To determine if it is in fact the vid card install it in a working machine and install it's drivers...if it doesn't work in the 2nd machine i'm afraid it's dead but you'll know it's not the MBoard.
        Logged
        " Anyone who goes to a psychiatrist should have his head examined. "

        dahlarbear



          Specialist

          Thanked: 101
          Re: Potential motherboard/POST problem
          « Reply #5 on: April 08, 2008, 01:28:03 PM »
          For what it's worth:
          Welcome to BIOS Central.
          Logged

          patio

          • Moderator


            • Genius
          • Maud' Dib
            • Thanked: 1769
            • Yes
          • Experience: Beginner
          • OS: Windows 7
          Re: Potential motherboard/POST problem
          « Reply #6 on: April 08, 2008, 04:06:51 PM »
          Quote from: dahlarbear on April 08, 2008, 01:28:03 PM
          For what it's worth:
          Welcome to BIOS Central.

          And ? ?  How are you convinced this is a BIOS issue ?
          Logged
          " Anyone who goes to a psychiatrist should have his head examined. "

          dahlarbear



            Specialist

            Thanked: 101
            Re: Potential motherboard/POST problem
            « Reply #7 on: April 08, 2008, 04:30:24 PM »
            Quote from: patio on April 08, 2008, 04:06:51 PM
            Quote from: dahlarbear on April 08, 2008, 01:28:03 PM
            For what it's worth:
            Welcome to BIOS Central.

            And ? ?  How are you convinced this is a BIOS issue ?

            I'm not, but I believe the site might help troubleshoot the problem.  It has links to POST and beep codes for different manufacturers.
            Logged

            patio

            • Moderator


              • Genius
            • Maud' Dib
              • Thanked: 1769
              • Yes
            • Experience: Beginner
            • OS: Windows 7
            Re: Potential motherboard/POST problem
            « Reply #8 on: April 09, 2008, 10:00:25 AM »
            dahlarbear i apologise.

            I thought that link was to the site that wants to sell you a BIOS update. They've been around for years and i detest their marketing strategies. For the life of me i can't recall the name but i should have checked your link first.

            That's a very informative site and not what i initially thought it was.

            Once again I apologise.

            patio.
            Logged
            " Anyone who goes to a psychiatrist should have his head examined. "

            mcresswell.uk

              Topic Starter


              Greenhorn

              Re: Potential motherboard/POST problem
              « Reply #9 on: April 17, 2008, 02:38:25 AM »
              Hi guys,

              A further development, I've now replaced the video card and still no joy. Exactly the same response, no image on screen and the PC does not beep when powered on.

              I tried the video card in both of my PCI-E ports.

              I've got to think now that it is the motherboard, any thoughts?

              Many thanks,

              Matt
              Logged

              Spoiler



                Specialist

                Thanked: 50
              • Experience: Beginner
              • OS: Windows XP
              Re: Potential motherboard/POST problem
              « Reply #10 on: April 17, 2008, 11:26:55 AM »
              I think you are right...at this point I would be looking at the motherboard. Do you have another one you could swap out with to test?

              Logged
              Whenever I watch TV and I see those poor starving kids all over the world, I can't help but cry. I mean I would love to be skinny like that, but not with all those flies and death and stuff." - Mariah Carey, Pop Singer

              mcresswell.uk

                Topic Starter


                Greenhorn

                Re: Potential motherboard/POST problem
                « Reply #11 on: April 18, 2008, 01:46:45 AM »
                Unfortunately not, i think i might have to take a gamble on just buying a new one.

                I did use a PCI Debug Card, which wasn't massively helpful. When i booted with it in it referenced the POST failure as being a 'keyboard input error'. Motherboard again maybe?
                Logged

                patio

                • Moderator


                  • Genius
                • Maud' Dib
                  • Thanked: 1769
                  • Yes
                • Experience: Beginner
                • OS: Windows 7
                Re: Potential motherboard/POST problem
                « Reply #12 on: April 18, 2008, 09:25:47 AM »
                USB or PS2 ? ?
                Logged
                " Anyone who goes to a psychiatrist should have his head examined. "

                mcresswell.uk

                  Topic Starter


                  Greenhorn

                  Re: Potential motherboard/POST problem
                  « Reply #13 on: April 18, 2008, 09:33:03 AM »
                  I didn't have a keyboard connected, although I usually use a USB.
                  Logged

                  patio

                  • Moderator


                    • Genius
                  • Maud' Dib
                    • Thanked: 1769
                    • Yes
                  • Experience: Beginner
                  • OS: Windows 7
                  Re: Potential motherboard/POST problem
                  « Reply #14 on: April 18, 2008, 11:11:16 AM »
                  Borrow or buy a PS2 keyboard and mouse combo and try it...

                  Everyone should have one, especially for testing.
                  Logged
                  " Anyone who goes to a psychiatrist should have his head examined. "
                  Pages: [1]   Go Up
                  « previous next »