Hardware Trouble!1!

DubbilexDubbilex Chump Join Date: 2002-11-24 Member: 9799Members
<div class="IPBDescription">HELP. FOR THE LOVE OF ZERO.</div> Well well well. Where can we begin? The beginning sounds good, I s'pose.



<span style='font-size:21pt;line-height:100%'>T</span>was the final day of the City of Heroes beta - around two weeks ago. After a long da of playing etc etc, I was merely browsing the intarweb when I came upon some serious computer difficulty. Not only did my CPU usage spike up like crazy, but my HD light was unblinkingly on and the entire computer was slowing down (in fact, the mouse cursor would freeze every few moments). After about a minute, the computer froze completely. Not thinking much of it (I just figured it was my poor overworked computer wanting a break), I gave 'er the hard shut down and went to sleep.

Now here's where the problem really began.

The next morning, I awoke. After my normal morning routine, I walked over to my darling computer and hit the power switch - I heard it come to life (or at least the fans came to life), but my monitor stayed in its idle state. This is where two things ran through my mind in an instant - Hard drive and/or Video card. After crying on my knees for a good while, I pulled myself together, wiped my nose, andf got up to live my life. I immediately pointed my finger at my hard drive (it's a Maxtor - I've had bad experiences with Maxtors) and began to look into a new one. I called a rather hardware-savvy fellow that I know over (my cousin, to be specific). We pulled apart the case and looked inside to se eif any cables or what-have-you had become unhooked. No dice. This is where something quite strange happened - after touching or disconnecting <i>nothing</i> (other than the power from the fan on the removable side of my case), the computer refused to turn on. Period.

A little irked, we removed the hard drive and hooked it up to another computer - it worked, ruling that out as any sort of problem.

The next day, wondering if the power supply could possibly be the problem, I removed it and installed it in that other computer - worked like a charm.

SO I ruled that out.

From there, I figured it could only be one thing (I had strangely forgotten that fact that my video card could have been acting goofy) - or two, rather - the motherboard and/or the processor. I had been running on an ASUS mobo and an Athlon XP 2000+ processor - a combo that had treated me well. So then, (I suppose irrationally), I went to newegg.com and ordered <a href='http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=19-116-161&depa=1' target='_blank'>this</a> and <a href='http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=13-128-183&depa=1' target='_blank'>this</a>. That was last Thursday - they arrived this afternoon.

When I opened the box, I couldn't help but lovingly stroke the brushed metal of my brand new processor - the temptation was much too great. Needless to say, I promptly gutted my existing computer, installed both processor and motherboard, and (apparently) successfully hooked them back together again.

<i>However</i>, upon attempting to turn it on, my power switch was acting silly (I've ruled that out as well through use of a voltimeter). I would have to press it several times until the computer would turn on.

Infortunately, upon doing this act, I once again witnessed the nice idle monitor. And I noticed that the mobo wasn't even on. I took the computer back downstairs and opened it once again - this time noticing that a silly little power cable that had not been necessary on my old motherboard seemed to have a nice little niche next to the heatsink that it plugged into. Upon soing this, I once again hooked it up and voila - the boot screen.

After configuring the rudimentary BIOS settings, I set it to boot from the CD drive primarily, HD secondarily, and floppy third. After saving and exiting, I noticed that my hard drive was apparently slaved...to nothing. SO I (for the last time - I swear!) opened the computer and fixed that. Hooked it up, blahblah blah.


<b>Now here's where things stand now:</b> after the initial boot screens, the computer will ask about safe mode and all that jazz (something that immediately raises a red flag for me to begin with - OHNOES HARDWARE PROBLEM). After hitting enter there will flash some sort of BSOD (<i>blue screen o' death</i>, for those not in the know) for a fraction of a second. It flashes so quickly that I have absolutely no idea how to read it - and I fear that if I were to try my brain would explode all over the wall behind me. After this BSOD, the computer resets and the vicious cycle begins anew.


Now, I know there are tech gurus liek crazy round these parts - can someone POSSIBLY give me an explanation for this? I'm about three seconds away from getting a new power supply, video card, and hard drive (replacing nearly my ENTIRE computer, but at least getting rid of anything that could <i>possibly</i> be wrong and at the same time giving me a much-needed upgrade).

Help? <!--emo&:(--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/sad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='sad.gif' /><!--endemo-->

Comments

  • BigMadSteveBigMadSteve Join Date: 2003-02-12 Member: 13472Members
    Beautiful story! Anyways, down to business...

    I'm no computer expert but I punched the description into a search engine and it sounds like a heat problem. If the computer ventilated, fans working? etc. Have you checked the RAM? Out of all the hardware trouble I've had with my computer it always comes down to the RAM. Might not be in your case though.
  • DubbilexDubbilex Chump Join Date: 2002-11-24 Member: 9799Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-BigMadSteve+May 3 2004, 06:29 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (BigMadSteve @ May 3 2004, 06:29 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Beautiful story! Anyways, down to business...

    I'm no computer expert but I punched the description into a search engine and it sounds like a heat problem. If the computer ventilated, fans working? etc. Have you checked the RAM? Out of all the hardware trouble I've had with my computer it always comes down to the RAM. Might not be in your case though. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    My computer runs at a general temperature of 19 C -even when it had the Athlon in it (something I don't see a whole lot). SO I don't BELIEVE it's a problem with heat.

    Actually, the RAM would be something to look into. It fits in the motheboard, meaning it's at least supported...But I guess it's <i>entirely</i> possible that this could be the culprit.

    I guess I'll have to wait and see if anyone has a better idea - if not, RAM I shall try <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo--> Thanks!
  • JaspJasp Join Date: 2003-02-04 Member: 13076Members
    edited May 2004
    Silly question but what operating system are you using, also did you format your old hard drive?

    By replacing the motherboard and processer yet using the old hard drive you have a conflict of drivers when windows loads up making the installation useless on that motherboard.

    I could be wrong here but i would get an old blank hard drive and use that to install windows with your other master hard drive as a slave, get what you need of it then blank it aswell and set it back to the master and reinstall.

    Try it and see if it works, report back and tell me im a nub who anit a clue <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->

    *Edit* Just thought to myself that my last statement could be seen as a putdown, its not how i meant it. I meant if it dont work you can gladly comm back and call me a nub for wasting your time lol
  • DubbilexDubbilex Chump Join Date: 2002-11-24 Member: 9799Members
    <!--QuoteBegin-Jasp+May 3 2004, 07:46 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Jasp @ May 3 2004, 07:46 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Silly question but what operating system are you using, also did you format your old hard drive?

    By replacing the motherboard and processer yet using the old hard drive you have a conflict of drivers when windows loads up making the installation useless on that motherboard.

    I could be wrong here but i would get an old blank hard drive and use that to install windows with your other master hard drive as a slave, get what you need of it then blank it aswell and set it back to the master and reinstall.

    Try it and see if it works, report back and tell me im a nub who anit a clue <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo--> <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><div class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    No more than I <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo-->


    Anyways, I suppose that could als be a problem. I'm running Windows XP home right now. I guess running an AMD system for so long and then switching to a newer Intel all of a sudden might wreak havok. I have an old HD lying around - I'l see what can be done.


    But for what it's worth, my hard drive DID work in the computer I'm currently using (a p3 800 mhz also runnign winxp).

    *shrug* I'm a major hardware nub, so I'm willing to try anything <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo--> Thanks!



    Any more ideas, anybody?
  • Cold_NiTeCold_NiTe Join Date: 2003-09-15 Member: 20875Members
    So XP won't boot at all? It might be software ya know.

    I had a similar problem a month back or so where my computer would start to boot, then as soon as it was halfway through the Windows XP boot process, it would turn off and turn back on and restart the whole process.

    I later ran the hard drive in someone elses computer and found that it worked fine, <i>as long as you didn't boot from it.</i> The entire thing ended up being because my uber important system files had been corrupted by <b>the evil</b> stylexp.

    The point of my diatribe is however, that all that time I assumed it was hardware. You might want to check out booting off of your harddrive in another computer. If it won't boot but it works to the point that everything on there is still recognized, its the OS.
  • TalesinTalesin Our own little well of hate Join Date: 2002-11-08 Member: 7710NS1 Playtester, Forum Moderators
    edited May 2004
    Uh.. yeah. Swapping motherboards (much less CPU manufacturers) will confuse the living hell out of WinXP. It'll puke.

    Definitely test your RAM.


    Step 1: Take EVERYTHING out, excepting the mobo, CPU, and power supply. Hit the power switch. Listen for beepcodes through the PC speaker.
    Step 2: Add video card.
    Step 3: Add RAM.
    Step 4: Add an internal expansion card, such as a net card, etc. Starting with your sound card. If a problem happens, back up.
    Step x: Add a CD-ROM drive.
    Step x+1: Add a blank hard drive.
    Step x+2: Fresh install of your OS of choice.

    By this point, you should be able to rule out most major problems. If a component is added in, and everything dies, take out all other components (go back to 'add RAM' with only the trouble-component in) and try it again. If it's happy, you have a conflicting hardware issue.
    If it starts throwing problems when just the RAM is in, you need to get it tested ASAP. If it throws problems with NOTHING in... well. That's trouble, but happens.

    Remember, take it slow, test often, and ONLY CHANGE ONE THING AT A TIME, EVER.


    (edit) And just FYI, I've had NOTHING but problems with ECS motherboards. If you have one, take it back. Now. Get something that isn't complete and utter pain-in-the-butt crap, for about forty bucks more. I've seen SIMILAR with shuttle, but friends have had good experiences. NO ONE I know iRL has ever had a good ECS experience. (/edit)
  • XythXyth Avatar Join Date: 2003-11-04 Member: 22312Members
    As mentioned before, try repairing your XP installation. Just pop in the system disk and boot from it (you may need to set this in the bios), then when it asks you if you want to instal fresh or repair the current installation, select repair. I had a problem similar to this when I just recently ungraded my computer and it was because of windows being lame about drivers and stuff. Worked fine after.
    If that dosen't work, see if perhaps it's your wall outlet or power strip that is causing problems. Though unlikely it's a possiblility.
  • GrillkohleGrillkohle Join Date: 2003-12-23 Member: 24695Members, Constellation
    Make sure you have your extension drives (HDD, CD/DVD/RW-Drive) properly connected (short end should be master) and jumpered correctly.
  • CommunistWithAGunCommunistWithAGun Local Propaganda Guy Join Date: 2003-04-30 Member: 15953Members
    ROFL


    You aren't going to like this....



    My computer did the exact same stuff way back in late october, I couldn't get it to work at all. Then, 3 months later it just started to work again. Try stripping it all down to nothing, and rebuilding. Thats what fixed mine, its about an hour or so effort but it worked. Also make sure your hard drive's IDE Cable is super secure. (I also have a maxtor)
  • ConfusedConfused Wait. What? Join Date: 2003-01-28 Member: 12904Members, Constellation, NS2 Playtester, Squad Five Blue, Subnautica Playtester
    my money goes foe reinstalling windows.

    reasoning:
    1. mobo &cpu work
    2.Power supply works
    3.HDD works
    4. some part of video card must be working if you can see the bios.
    5. RAM might be bad might not but it costs money

    thus we have series of parts that work but a operationg sytem that doesn't.
    since you have another PC take out your hdd. back up your files. Wipe the drive reinstall windows (Take care to partition it so you can just wipe the windows partition next time around and not lose all you files) and wham bam thank you ma'am. An hour later, you have a nice fresh face copy of win xp tilting back or you have to buy new ram.
    overwhelming sweetness will have been achieved.
  • NecroticNecrotic Big Girl&#39;s Blouse Join Date: 2002-01-25 Member: 53Members, NS1 Playtester
    Imagine you've gone into an exceptionally deep sleep and when you wake up you're in Lithuania.

    Thats what your OS is feeling right now, unfamiliar surroundings and everyone drives on the wrong side of the road.

    I can't reiterate stongly enough how important it is to format your OS drive if you swap motherboards, even if it seems to work fine on the surface theres going to be some 'orrible conflicts going on underneath that will are just waiting to cause you problems.
  • DubbilexDubbilex Chump Join Date: 2002-11-24 Member: 9799Members
    SO I suppose the general consensus is tha I should reinstall windows - makes me cry, but if it must be done...

    I figured it would probably be Windows' fault, as I've had uber troubles with windows and hardware before. I guess there's nothing I can really do now but replace the ram and the windows installation.

    First, I'll try Talesin's procedure (thanks for that <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo-->). If that leads me back to the same problem, a reinstall it is! I'll try to take care of that tis afternoon and I'll fill you all in this evening.



    I really appreciate the help! <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • MoquiaoMoquiao Join Date: 2003-05-09 Member: 16168Members
    well i had a problem exactly the same with the mouse etc going slow then it would just lock up but in my case fell to a bsod with a **** load of random numbers on...

    i had just got a new stick of 512 mb ram (ddr400) so i knew it wasnt that, after a ton of tests etc... even using an oscilliscope at one point (mainly cos i havent used one in a while) i then ordered new mobo,cpu,a little more ram, hdd and some nice **** off big fans...

    still same error?!

    turns out it was my 'new' stick of ram it had been on the shelf for ages at the polace.. maybe overheated :/ i dunno but yeah took the new ram out... and it worked like a charm... so yeah... my best guess... RAM!" <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • DubbilexDubbilex Chump Join Date: 2002-11-24 Member: 9799Members
    Hmmm. Another vote for RAM? I suppose a little RAM upgrade culdn't hurt too much - I've been sorely needing it for awhile. I'd test my current RAM (a paltry 256 mb - it's so low because I tried to cut corners when having it built to keep it cheap). The only things that have stayed the same now are the Video card (basically ruled out but one can never be <i>too</i> sure; but that's not what's causing this anyways.), the power supply (tested, ruled out), the Hard Drive (which happened to work on this here computer - an older pentium 3; so maybe winXP is having the problems with the brand new architecture of the chip?), the DVD drive (not a problem), CD-RW drive (also not a problem) soundcard (duh), wireless network card (another duh) and RAM (the only other thing that could be wrong.)

    Normally I'd test my RAM, but this motherboard in the computer I'm using right now is to old and doesn't even support DDR166 RAM. I suppose I COULD bring it to a friend for them to testfor me...but this is something I'll check out.



    Ah yes - and <b>Cold-NiTe</b>: I also had Style XP installed, for what it's worth. The reformat is definitely the first thing I'll try. If not, on to Talesin's suggestion, and failing that, new RAM.

    And if that doesn't work? Suicide. <!--emo&:angry:--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/mad.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='mad.gif' /><!--endemo-->
  • SpoogeSpooge Thunderbolt missile in your cheerios Join Date: 2002-01-25 Member: 67Members
    edited May 2004
    Wait! I saw some instructions on how to properly install a new mobo and processor without reinstalling XP. Let me go find them.

    EDIT: alas, it looks like the instructions I saw were for a Win2K machine. Looks like you should be able to use the Repair process in XP as suggested earlier. As usuall, if possible, back up anything important prior to repair. Good luck.
  • DubbilexDubbilex Chump Join Date: 2002-11-24 Member: 9799Members
    I'm now posting this from my own computer <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo-->


    Apparently all that needed to be done was the aforementioned repair function (I was told that "Windows doesn't like new chipsets").

    Anyways, I guess everything's in order now and running smoothly <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html//emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif' /><!--endemo--> Thanks to everyone who helped me out by posting in this thread!
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