[sarahmtz]

Tried rehooking up the pwr, monitor cords, etc. Then opened case and checked all cords are connected correctly inside. Tried to boot with out RAM, did not work. Lights are flashing 4-5 times( do I count the red light or green light?) No beeps. Fans both go on and CD drive opens. What's the next step? Thanks!
Windows Vista,AMD Athlon 64

[Scleros]

Some thoughts:

• What brand and model of computer?
• Look up the flashy light pattern in the system's technical documentation. This is the easiest way to determine what the computer itself thinks is wrong.
• Put the RAM back in. Most all systems require at least one module. Caution: the motherboard needs to be completely drained of power (pull external power cord and wait 30 seconds for power supply to drain) when removing memory or adapter cards. Failure to do so may damage the motherboard.
• Remove and reinsert the video card.
• Verify the power supply with an ATX power supply tester.
• Try another monitor.

[sarahmtz]

Thanks for the reply Scleros!
Acer :Aspire T180
The RAM is back in, there is onboard video so I tried adding another video card to see if it works, and no change.
The heat sink fan is not working. It spins when powered on, then stops. Occasionally runs.
Tried 2 other monitors, and new power supply and no change. Tried booting from Windows bootdisk.
Flash pattern: there is a red light(4 times) and a green light( flashes 5 times)- Having trouble finding codes specific to Acer. Found some- 4-5 blinks indicates pwer supply or memory? That doesn't seem to make sense though.

[Scleros]

The heat sink fan is not working. It spins when powered on, then stops. Occasionally runs.

That behavior is typically associated with a motherboard or power related issue that results in the system starting and then shutting down again after detecting a problem.

I tried adding another video card to see if it works, and no change.

Adding another video adapter may not work as expected. Some BIOSs have a setting for specifying which device is initialized as the boot device when multiple devices are present. The onboard video may need to be disabled within the BIOS before the discrete adapter will be used during boot for video.

Tried booting from Windows bootdisk.

A normal boot sequence consists of a BIOS power-on self-test followed by the load of an operating system from the hard disk or a bootdisk. Your system is not completing POST if it keeps shutting down.

Flash pattern: there is a red light(4 times) and a green light( flashes 5 times)- Having trouble finding codes specific to Acer.

Me too. I pulled the T180 Service Manual from Acer's support site, which didn't list the Smart power LED codes. So, I called Acer's Reseller support line which didn't have them either and directed me to Acer's general support number of 800.571.2237. You can call this number yourself with the serial number off the computer, however the endeavor will likely be futile as I suspect the system is out of warranty (1 year?). Googling indicates the motherboard may be a Foxconn, perhaps a MCP61SM2MA-ERS2H. The manual for this board lists power LED status codes on page 23, however none match what you described. Does the motherboard have any identifying labeling on it?

Also, has the computer been working normally and then just suddenly didn't boot one day? Any thunderstorms or other unusual circumstances?

[sarahmtz]

Motherboard shows a label:HT 2000,S/N: MCP61SM-AM, V011200473Q5399. Not sure if this helps.. :)

The system is not shutting down, just the heat sink fan. Sometimes it will run continuously, sometimes not. If I push start it, then it runs as well and stays on.
Yes, computer is out of warranty.

This is a friends' computer, so not sure about something specific happening before it stopped working, but Ill ask. I know it's been awhile since it worked though. Ill ask her about it.
Thanks again.

[Scleros]

If the processor's heatsink fan is not spinning properly, usually due to age, wear, or dust loading, correct that first by replacing the fan with an identical model or another with the same performance and mechanical characteristics (size, CFM, RPM, PWM, etc.). Prefer ball or maglev bearing fans to a sleeve bearing fan. Recommend Sunon or Delta Electronics brands. Jameco and Digikey are two consumer friendly sources for single quantity fan purchase (or Google the fan part number). If the processor is run for an extended period (perhaps seconds) without sufficient cooling, its built-in thermal trip will cause endless resets. The motherboard supports one of the following processors: AMD Athlon 64 X2, AMD Athlon 64, AMD Sempron. There may be a processor logo on the case front. What processor does the machine have?

A P.O.S.T. card can be installed to give an indication if the processor is functional and P.O.S.T. is progressing.

[sarahmtz]

Wow you are good! Thanks so much, Ill find one and get back to you..

[sarahmtz]

Could that be the only thing causing the problem?

[sarahmtz]

I ordered the fan we needed. For the POST card, do those come pretty standard or do you have to have specific for each computer? Processor is AMD Athlon 64.

[Scleros]

For the POST card, do those come pretty standard or do you have to have specific for each computer? Processor is AMD Athlon 64.

POST cards plug into an expansion slot, so they predominantly come in ISA, PCI, and PCI-E formats. PCI should work for your motherboard. Some of these diagnostic cards can be rather pricey. You might be better served taking the computer to a local shop and seeing if they can verify the components. Also weigh the card cost against newer faster motherboard/processor/memory with warranty.

[sarahmtz]

Ok thanks. So once I get the fan, is it possible that may fix it? If were down to MB or processor are there ways to test these are dead?
Thanks