[mattfraser]

Hi

Was using my PC last night when all of a sudden it went off. Turning it back on again resuts in the monitor saying "No Signal"
My first reaction was the graphics card but I had a spare and changed it but still no display.
I should mention that when I turn my PC on I get no beeps and al the fans and HDD etc spin and seem to be okay.
Have tried a different monitor but I get the same.
This is where I get lost... I reset my bios by taking out the battery and the first time I boot up the PC it works. I go into the bios and during me configuring it the PC crashes/freezes. If I now reset the bios again it won't boot up.
I tried re-seating the memory. As above. The first time it boots up I have no probs but it soon crashes/freezes. If I reseat the ram again, nothing. <Added> I have tried swapping my memory for some old ones I had but still freezes.

I have some ideas:
1. My psu is not giving out enough power. Unlikely as it has been working for ages and if it stops it stops, nothing in between.
2. My cpu of m/board. Some kind of problem with them.

Can anyone help me here, I'm kind of stuck without starting to do more drastic things.

Matt

[Tommyp!972]

Boot in safe mode with step by step confirmation and see what driver makes it freeze

[Northwind_Dagas]

You say it freezes while in bios configuration? This would almost have to be a motherboard problem.

Freezing is rarely caused by power supply problems, however the 'sudden turnoff' could have been. I was thinking it could be the power supply, but if I am understanding correctly that it is freezing while in bios configuration, it is not likely the problem.

It could be memory, although I wouldn't think of bios configuration as being memory intensive. However, since you swapped the RAM and got the same results, I'd say it is safe to eliminate that as well.

CPU's rarely fail unless they overheat. If your fan is still fully operational on the CPU, you can probably count that good as well.

Based on the limited information you have available, I would say the motherboard is your problem.

[mattfraser]

Tommy - I can't get that far.

Dagas - cheers for all your tips. I don't think it can be the memory as I swapped it and although I did suspect the psu, like you said, the psu is not going to make the PC freeze in the bios.

This does leave only the m/board and cpu. I understand what you are saying that cpu's rarely fail these days but I would be gutted if I bought another m/board and it was the cpu.
I really don't know what to do at the minute. Part of me wants to just say hell to it and buy cpu and m/board to save all the mucking around. I do need it working fairly soon.

How likely is it to be the m/board over the cpu?

Cheers
Matt

[Northwind_Dagas]

How likely is it to be the m/board over the cpu?

I have about 9 years of providing computer support professionally, and in that time, I've seen MAYBE 2 cpu failures not attributed to a failed fan or someone breaking a pin, or other such nonsense.

I would say 95% chance it's the motherboard.

[mattfraser]

Ok nice one, appreciate the help.
Why do m/boards go wrong in this way, what's actually happened. Can't see anything wrong with the board. No caps have blown or anything... suppose it's just one of those things!

Matt

Hi again

The m/board in question is a Gigabyte 8knxp. I have looked everywhere for one but can't find one. Does anyone know where I might pick one up (UK)

Or does anyone have any suggestions for other m/boards. Must be:

Socket 478 (cant really afford to buy new chip)
800 FSB (make use of my memory)
AGP (not long bought a new graphics card)

Any suggestions? Cheers

Matt

[Northwind_Dagas]

Don't know about where you can 'pick one up,' but if you have to resort to ordering one, here's a similar Gigabyte board:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813128232

[mattfraser]

Hi

Cheers for that. That is one of the replacement boards I have been looking at. Still not easy to find a new one (I'm in the UK) can find used ones but more reluctant to buy one of those!

Matt

[mattfraser]

Hi again

Update: Eventually tracked down a good socket 478 board as I can't afford to upgrade everything, cost me £140. Guess what... looks like it is not the board. I can't even get in the bios now. HAHA don't know whether to laugh or cry... hmmm or maybe throw the whole thing out the window. I just can't afford to replace any more parts.

Matt

[Northwind_Dagas]

Can't get into the bios, as in it will not boot at all? Or are you just not able to enter the bios?

Describe exactly what is happening and what you are seeing.

[mattfraser]

Hi

It's OK. I sorted now. Not sure what was wrong!

Cheers