[Patrunjel]

Today I was using normally my PC when it suddenly shut down. I didn't worry because this happens once in like 3-4 months, and then i know I have to get rid of the dust in it, then it works normally. So I let it cool, and after 2 hours or so I needed to use the Internet to search something, so I tried to open it for 10 minutes (I didn't clean any dust).
But when I tried to do that, my monitor didn't open. (I mean it did, but it didn't get anything from the PC). And also, it normally did a beep sound when the monitor started to get signal, but now nothing.
So I cleaned the dust, rigged it back, still nothing. Then I started to get worried, and got my GPU out and connected the computer to the on-board jack (I'm not sure it's called a jack ). Still nothing.
Now I don't really know what to do. At least if I knew what's wrong...

Things I think matter:
-I was running BOINC, so the CPU was use 90+% (no GPU usage, good thing I have a lame GPU, I guess ).
-The PC was on for approx 5-6 hours (not much)
-I have read once that the motherboard makes some sort of self-diagnosis and gives a beep signal (like the morse code) to "tell" you what's wrong, but mine does not beep at all.
-The PC starts, but no monitor image.

This post has been edited by Patrunjel: 09 August 2011 - 09:34 AM

[modi123_1]

Let me get this straight - the computer powers up (the fans turn on, any LED lights light up, etc), but there is no video to your screen and the POST doesn't beep?

http://www.pcguide.c...ead.php?t=39685

[Patrunjel]

My computer starts (LEDs on, fan on, like usual), but no beep or monitor activity (and no POST)

This post has been edited by Patrunjel: 09 August 2011 - 09:46 AM

[Gavisann]

Provided that the fans are spinning, unplug all unneeded devices. Only keep the RAM and CPU connected to the motherboard. If you have more than one stick of RAM try one at a time to see if it will POST. If all else fails, check the motherboard for swollen capacitors.

[Kilorn]

Check the CMOS battery and make sure it hasn't died on you. Short of that, I'd say either your CPU died, which is unlikely, or the motherboard went bad.

[modi123_1]

Hell - unplug any unnecessary items, and then remove all the RAM. Attempt to boot. If it gives you the POST beeps that's a positive sign by assuming it is getting as far as memory testing in the boot up process.

[Patrunjel]

@Gavisann
Thanks for the reply.
Can you please be a little more specific with "Disconnect everything except RAM"? There are two cables that go for the power unit to the motherboard. Sure, one (the big one, I guess) has to stay, but should I keep the other (small, only 4 pins)?

This post has been edited by Patrunjel: 09 August 2011 - 09:55 AM

[Gavisann]

Kilorn, on 09 August 2011 - 11:51 AM, said:

Check the CMOS battery and make sure it hasn't died on you. Short of that, I'd say either your CPU died, which is unlikely, or the motherboard went bad.

I thought the battery only kept power flowing so the computer can store the BIOS configuration. In other words, start the computer and all your settings would have changed to their default, but it would start none the less.

If you want to talk statistics, in my experience it would be the motherboard, if not the board, the RAM, and if not the RAM the CPU. If there was a power serge, all three could have been damaged, but that is unlikely.

Patrunjel, on 09 August 2011 - 11:54 AM, said:

@Gavisann
Thanks for the reply.
Can you please be a little more specific with "Disconnect everything except RAM"? There are two cables that go for the power unit to the motherboard. Sure, one (the big one, I guess) has to stay, but should I keep the other (small, only 4 pins)?

I'm sorry. Those are power cables, the big one is the 20+4 or 20 pin and the smaller one is the 4 pin ATX (on higherend boards it is 8 pin). Leave those in. Remove the CD-ROM, hard drive, front usb headers, sound cards, video cards, etc.

modi123_1, I thought you needed the RAM for the computer to POST? Try it with an without RAM then.

[modi123_1]

Naw, in theory it should go through as much boot as it can and then start beeping up a storm you have no memory.

[Patrunjel]

I got everything out (including RAM), and POST tells me that I have a DRAM refresh failure (one short beep). I am just reading about it on Google, but I have seen something worrying. It's either because of the motherboard, or a ram card. I can use my PC with one RAM chip, but without a motherboard...it's kind of though. Is there a way to be sure that it's either the RAM or the motherboard? (now i'm trying every RAM, and after that I plan to look for swollen capacitors on the motherboard)

This post has been edited by Patrunjel: 09 August 2011 - 10:08 AM

[Gavisann]

Well that is a good sign at least. Let us know how switching out the RAM works. Try different dim slots as well.

Good Luck.

[Patrunjel]

First, one of the RAMs (i have too) didn't make the short beep, the I tried the other one, on the same slot and that one worked. Then I tried the other slot for the one that didn't work, and it gave a beep. Then the working one worked on the other slot, too. Then I tried the one that didn't work at first, I put it back in the slot that it didn't work in, and now it works.

So, long story short, I get the same POST diagnosis with any of the RAM chips.

And I didn't see any swollen capacitors on the motherboard. (but there is a possibility I missed them, I don't really know what to expect, how swollen they get. But there was nothing visible.)

Now with both my RAMs in I get the same POST diagnosis. One short beep. I will try to put stuff back on the motherboard and try if it works.No, still nothing.

Can someone please help me at least find what's wrong?

This post has been edited by Patrunjel: 09 August 2011 - 10:52 AM

[Eloryan]

Hi Patrunjel.

If your problem still exists then you have to try the overload procedure. That is :
1.Disconnect the cord from your power supply.
2.Press the switch on button and hold it down for 4 seconds and then release it.
3.Reconnect the cord on the power supply and press the switch on button.

(if the problem still remain try to disconnect vga and usb devices and try all the steps from the beggining)

Most of the times if a system suddenly shuts down the problem comes from the power supply. Since you refer that 4 months ago this happens again i suppose that the power supply needs to be replaced. (You said that you remove the dust and this procedure includes the overload).