HELP! I've only been in the PC repair field for a few months, and only A+ certified for 1 year. So far, I've been very successful, but lately I've come across a problem; I could use some advice.

I've got a customer w/ an LTX (I think) systemboard. It has the video port integrated onto the board. When you turn on the PC, the fans and HDD spin up, but there is no (POST) beep and no video. Ordinarily, I would install a "test" video card to try to isolate the problem, but the shop where I work no longer keeps them in stock. In other words, the customer is going to have to buy either a video card or systemboard based on my advise. What would you do?

I can't truly say it's a non-boot scenario, because I can't see what's happening! The lack of a POST beep isn't even a clue, because I encounter PC's occasionally that don't beep, even though they run OK. Any advice?

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"Many times I've wondered how much there is to know." -Led Zeppelin

LTX..... is this a laptop? I'm new to this field too. ( 9 monthes on a help desk for 350 and going for my A+ soon).

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Of all the things from my youth that I miss, I miss my mind the most.

If it is a laptop it could be that the backlite or screen is not functioning correctly. Please give the model and type!

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Of all the things from my youth that I miss, I miss my mind the most.

[This message has been edited by biggmc01 (edited 08-21-2001).]

No, it's not a laptop. It's an "Acer Aspire" desktop model. (Yea, I've never heard of it, either!) It's not a tower model, but a plain, old-fashioned desktop.

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"Many times I've wondered how much there is to know." -Led Zeppelin

At this point my heart would say do you have a drill with a 3/4" bit? Then you could drill a hole through the system and attach a chain, and create a boat anchor! But I need to behave! Why it's not fair.

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Of all the things from my youth that I miss, I miss my mind the most.

dazed&confused,

Does this machine have a case speaker? You wont hear any beep codes, if there isn't a speaker connected to the motherboard.

I have experienced this problem on several machines that I have worked on in the past. Without any test parts, all you can do is guess. This is not something I would do to a customer. It could get quite expensive, buying parts until you find the culprit.

I will see if I can locate any information on this machine you are working on, and maybe someone will come along with some more insight.

Good Luck,
PC D

[This message has been edited by PC Dummy (edited 08-22-2001).]

[This message has been edited by PC Dummy (edited 08-22-2001).]

Should have asked you for a model number.

The best I can do is point you to the Acer site (http://www.acersupport.com/). Look at the FAQ section and see if you can find a manual for the beast.

PC D

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"He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; he who does not ask a question remains a fool forever." -Chinese proverb.

[This message has been edited by PC Dummy (edited 08-22-2001).]

Do you have a spare video card at home you can bring in and try? Very strange a shop not having a test everything...

The Acer Aspire has been around a while, I've seen 486 versions. Usually proprietary, almost always onboard everything they could find. Support is not great, they have some info and files on their website and ftp site, but don't hope for much...

I would try to come up with a video card to do some testing with, or tell the customer I can't find out and explain why. No way would I guess at it and risk steering the customer wrong...

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Thanks to everyone for your suggestions. Actually, I have already checked out the Acer Website, but it wasn't much help. I've searched all over the computer for a model #, but there isn't one. PC Dummy is probably right about the speaker: there's not one, which makes me lean even farther toward thinking it's a video problem.

As for a test video card, I have nothing available but AGP. The computer only has ISA and PCI slots, (too old, I guess). Well, honesty is the best policy. I guess I'll go to the customer w/ all the information and let him in on the decision. Thanks, everyone!

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"Many times I've wondered how much there is to know." -Led Zeppelin