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Mapleleaf · Aug 15, 2007, 05:21 PM

I have an amd anthalon computer. Just yesterday it started this thing where it doesn't want to power up and you can barley hear anything if any coming from the hard drive.all I see is the fan spinning and the power lights. Monitor doesn't kick in and hard drives do nothing at all. This computer has been working fairly great for months. Just the last 2 weeks it has been freezing up a lot and I have reformatted the hard drive and reinstalled the operating system which is windows xp home. Any thoughts folks I need my puter for work. Thanks Mapleleaf

JohnSnownw · Aug 15, 2007, 05:25 PM

Sounds like your hardrive is dying/dead.

xfsketch · Aug 15, 2007, 05:31 PM

I would guess faulty HD too. Have you tried booting into safe mode(f8)? You say your computer was running real slow before you reinstalled the OS. I had the same problem on a clients computer the result was a malicious worm virus that ate a couple system files so the computer would not start even after reinstalling the operating system. I ended up using a program called the ultimate boot disk toboot from cd by changing the boot order in the BIOS menu (f10). When it booted from the UBCD I was able to replace the system files with ones from a friends working computer. Then the reinstall of the OS was able to startup andI could begin the setup process. The virus entered through Norton anti virus I believe but am unsure. Youcan check your hard drive by running the command "chkdsk" either in a command prompt through safe mode, or if you have the restore cd enter system recovery and in the recovery prompt type those letters in and hit enter. Tell me if you need any further advice I may be able to help.

Mapleleaf · Aug 15, 2007, 05:32 PM

Originally Posted by JohnSnownw

Sounds like your hardrive is dying/dead.

Ill test a few other drives out and post my findings.

jstrike · Aug 15, 2007, 09:29 PM

I don't think this is your hd. If it's been locking up and you're getting no video or HD movement when you boot the first thing I would check is the power supply.

xfsketch · Aug 15, 2007, 09:34 PM

Originally Posted by jstrike

I don't think this is your hd. If it's been locking up and you're getting no video or HD movement when you boot the first thing I would check is the power supply.

What your saying could be the problem, but he said the power light is on. When my PS died in my work machine it wouldn't light up at all.

Mapleleaf · Aug 16, 2007, 06:30 AM

Well after trying serveral other hard drives all I'm getting now is the same, power to everything even now I can hear the hard drives clicking so they have power but still can't get system to boot up. Also I changed the power supply a few months back when something similar happened. So I'm stumped here and would hate to spend money on new power supply if I didn't need to cause money is tight right now.I also did try a different power supply from another puter and same stuff was happening. But lets keep trying guys your help and comments are truly appreciated. Thanks guys.

Mapleleaf

Mapleleaf · Aug 16, 2007, 06:40 AM

Just tried a few other hd's and a couple didn't do anything but this one hd just seems to speed up and slow down so with that said does it sound like a power supply problem.

Mapleleaf

JohnSnownw · Aug 16, 2007, 06:51 AM

Just a thought, I had a similar problem once and it ended up being a bad CD/RW drive. The CD/RW drive being faulty wouldn't allow the computer to boot up. Anyway, why don't you try disconnecting the media drives - one at a time - and see if that will give you any answers. Good Luck.

Mapleleaf · Aug 16, 2007, 06:56 AM

Originally Posted by JohnSnownw

Just a thought, I had a similar problem once and it ended up being a bad CD/RW drive. The CD/RW drive being faulty wouldn't allow the computer to boot up. Anyway, why don't you try disconnecting the media drives - one at a time - and see if that will give you any answers. Good Luck.

Well tried that and still nothing with main HD.

jstrike · Aug 16, 2007, 07:17 AM

Originally Posted by xfsketch

What your saying could be the problem, but he said the power light is on. When my PS died in my work machine it wouldnt light up at all.

Locking up is a common occurrence with a failing power supply. If the PS is putting out less than normal power this will happen. It could also explain why the lights come on but nothing boots.

How big is the power supply?
Is there anyplace near you that can test it?
How old is the motherboard?

I've had power supplies last 6+ years and I've had them last 4 months. Just because your computer has enough power to display some led lights does not necessarily mean that the PS is good.

JohnSnownw · Aug 16, 2007, 07:27 AM

I'm going to have to agree with jstrike, it would appear that the power supply may be the culprit. But I wouldn't rule out the motherboard either. There is a slim possibility that the problem could be associated with the cables you are using too. Anyway, do try to get the power supply checked out first.

Helping Hands - IT · Aug 16, 2007, 07:32 AM

Mapleleaf

This sounds like a more intriguing problem than you question makes it.

First you need to check all internal and external cables are correctly connected - if needs be disconnect and reconnect them. And try restarting

No Luck?

Now start removing everything which is not necessary for startup, Sound cards, USB cards Modem, CD, DVD.

You should now have a case with just the Hard Drive connected, some form of Graphics/Display (onboard or stand alone card), the big power connector to the motherboard, RAM (make sure this is correctly seated), the processor fan, keyboard and mouse (I know you don't always need the mouse but you said you was new at this so I presume you don't know how to navigate just with the keyboard). Check that you don't have any fluff in the Heatsink and Fan Assembly which could be causing the device to OVERHEAT and now step back and power up the machine.

If it works then the problem device is something you have disconnected, if it still plays up you need to consider the wattage you are getting from you power supply unit (around 400w should be ample).

This does sound like the machine is overheating so a simple clean and tidy may resolve this - NOTE - if you do take a hoover to your machine YOU MUST ENSURE that you either disconnect the fans or prevent them from rotating as this can cause extensive damage to the motherboard and connected components.

I will watch to see that you do get back working

JohnSnownw · Aug 16, 2007, 07:55 AM

Originally Posted by Helping Hands - IT

Mapleleaf

This does sound like the machine is overheating so a simple clean and tidy may resolve this - NOTE - if you do take a hoover to your machine YOU MUST ENSURE that you either disconnect the fans or prevent them from rotating as this can cause extensive damage to the motherboard and connected components.

I will watch to see that you do get back working

Overheating would be plausible, except that the computer is doing this at start-up. I don't see how it could be instantly overheating. I do, however, agree with the rest of what you said.