My PC won't boot up

[bowot]

It started when i wanted to install my printer. i got the wizard running then i realised that i had the printer cable unplugged. so without shuting down the system first i plugged the cable in and suddenly the screen went blank.

i hit the restart button and the screen was still blank, although the harddrive did run for awhile before everything comes to a complete standstill. tried to cold boot as well and the same thing happended.
The harddisk read for a while but the monitor was still blank and it just stopped. no BIOS, no beeping sound, Nothing!!!!

i had my PC for 2 years now and it never gave me this kind of problem before.

did i just fried my processor / mobo ????

HELPPPPP

[BDacia]

Have you tried comletely rebooting it with your Windows Boot Disk? There should also be a switch on the back of your PC try shutting that off unplug your printer then reboot it with the boot disk in the floppy drive..let me know..-Dacia-

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Dacia

[bowot]

i tried to boot with the win 98 start up disk and the same thing happened.
i also tried to change the memory and nothing happened.

[BDacia]

will it let you enter into dos mode at all? WHen you said you tried to change the memory was that before it wouldn't boot? Can you get far enough to reformat?

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Dacia

[bassvax]

If the printer cable you plugged into the system was anything other than USB it is possible there was a short to your one or several of your components. I've noticed that when installing usb devices the instructions call for a "hot plug" (plug in the cable while pc is on). Have you completely disconnected the printer from your system and tried booting? You may have to open your case and look for any signs (or odors) of electrical shorting. Discharge yourself first though. I believe no beeps usually indicates a video problem. Check the video card (if you aren't using on-board). Keep us informed some of the others may be able to offer more assistance.

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Jerry

[bowot]

i couldn't even get to the memory count. the whole booting process for me was a blank screen and a second of harddisk read. nothing more.

any idea what's wrong with it??

could it be because of the vibration occured when i plugged the cable in?

[bowot]

my printer is still using the old serial cable and i did try to disconnect the cable and reboot. then i opened the case as you suggested and there was no burning smell. couldnt check the vid card coz i dont have a spare, but shouldnt a vid card problem gives you 3 beeping noise?

any idea?

appreciate those replies guys.

[bassvax]

OUCH! If you felt or heard that vibration then it really sounds like something bit the dust. Could be anything with this scenario like power supply, mobo, vid card etc.
Try booting into Safe Mode by hitting F8 key after restarting the system. If you can't even get to this screen can you get into the BIOS? You may need to find a boot disk for your OS ( www.bootdisk.com (http://www.bootdisk.com) )You may have to tear your system down to bare bones and add card by card to find any bad equipment. You will need the following to boot:
Video card
RAM
HD
Floppy (provided you want to use a boot disk)
CD ROM if you need to install anything via CD
monitor
keyboard
mouse (usually you can boot without it but makes life miserable). Before doing this hang around a little while longer to see if some of the real experts can offer better advice.
With your next post please give us some details about your system and operating system.

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Jerry

[This message has been edited by bassvax (edited 03-03-2001).]

[bowot]

actually i tried with win98 startup disk and nothing happened. i set the BIOS to read CDrom then IDE Drive. since i cant get to the BIOS i cant really use the start up disk.

i might have to borrow peripherals from my friend and do what u suggested. test card by card.

thanks alot for those replies guys. great forum.

[tjaymadison]

Bassvax, I think you're right on the money. Hot-plugging serial and parallel cables is a really good way to fry things, especially if the device at the other end of the cable is already powered up. Bowot, I think you'll be very lucky if you only ruined your serial port, but given the density of the traces on motherboards, and the problems you're experiencing, it sounds like the damage might be more extensive. Try "flushing" your CMOS -- depending on your motherboard, you have to do it either with a jumper setting or by removing the battery for a few minutes. If it is a jumper, don't forget to put it back to its original setup when you're done. (Like I once did) http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/redface.gif

[This message has been edited by tjaymadison (edited 03-04-2001).]

[bowot]

guys, i tried to replace my Celeron with my friend's Pentium III and it worked again. guess i fried the celeron. now i'm thinking of buying another celeron. which one is better for overclocking the 566 or the 633. i heard the 633 allows you to go upto 950, is it stable?