No monitor activity whatsoever (except power)

[Black Swann]

I have just moved my computer from one house to another. Just connected it back up and no when I turn the damn thing on the monitor stays on standby while the system boots up, then hangs with the hard drive light still on.. any ideas? I have checked all connections on the motherboard and found a loose brass fitting (small piece) broken off lying at the bottom of the minitower. This fitting was off one of the clips that hold the case on the tower. I think the motherboard may be FRIED... any comments?

[Randy_tx]

Well.....at this point it could be ANYthing....so don't panic!!! If you are comfortable opening the case (with power cord DISconnected) then I would do that and look for obvious problems like dislodged PCI cards, the screws that hold the monitor onto the video card being screwed out...etc. If you dont feel comfortable opening up the computer, its time to take it to a tech to take a look at it.

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Will XP save Me ?

[PostCode]

Not to start any kinda argument here, but having the power cord plugged in is actually a good thing to do. It acts as a ground in the event that a person dosen't have proper static protection. As long as power is not flowing a person is alright, plus the added protection of minimal static discharge. One last thing...try to maintain contact with the case (metal portion) at times when you going to touch parts in the case as this is an additional caution to prevent static discharge.

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[This message has been edited by PostCode (edited 04-17-2001).]

[Black Swann]

Thanks for the reply guys,

I am virtually at the end of my tether. I have already taken the casing off. Don't worry I have a grounding strap... do quite a bit of upgrading for others. I agree that you should keep it plugged in for the earthing element itself.

Any other suggestions out there here is what I have done already:

Using a battery powered small vacuum cleaned ALL dust and debris away

Checked all jumper settings
Checked all Peripheral Component Interface (PCI) slots for connection
Checked all IDE ribbons for continuity, all checks out.
Checked all connections on the PSU and casing for resistance and continuity
Removed the processor (Pentium 2 Socket 7) and tested it in other computer, checks out fine.
Checked monitor, works fine with another computer, all interfaces tight.
And a few other things...

Any other ideas out there???

[Black Swann]

Thanks for the reply guys, with regards to that here is a list of what I have done: Checked all Peripheral Component Interface slots (3 in total) all have been empty as this unidentified motherboard has on board graphics...TX PRO II. Used a multimeter to check the PSU, all checks out. Checked all ISA slots (3 in total). Cleaned off the thick layer of dust on the motherboard itself with a battery powered hand vacuum. Removed the Pentium II (Socket 7) Processor with heatsink and fan and tested them in another (they all work. Checked the continuity of all IDE ribbons, all serviceable AND removed all SDRAM from the DIMM slots, checked them and re-seated em correctly... any other ideas, it still doesn't work!

[tjaymadison]

When you power up, does the fan on the CPU/heatsink start? You mention in your original post "while the system boots up" -- does that mean you get past the memory check in BIOS? Can you enter the BIOS setup? If so, I would think the mobo hasn't been damaged. If it's normal orientation is vertical (as in a tower), perhaps the loose piece fell straight to the bottom without causing any damage. Keep your fingers crossed. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif

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"When I nod my head, hit it with the hammer."
(Moe, holding nail, to Curly, holding hammer)

[Black Swann]

Fan on the heatsink starts up. I get one beep off the POST check. The hard drive spins up then after about two seconds it hangs with the hard drive light still on.

Still no monitor activity. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/mad.gif

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For most people hell is what they fear most... for me it's a place to get my homework done!!!

[tjaymadison]

That's a good start -- one beep is normal. At least you don't have CPU or video problems. Check the ribbon
cable on your hard drive to be sure that the connection is tight and that the colored stripe is going to pin 1.

If that's not it, try The PC Guide Troubleshooter (http://www.pcguide.com/ts/x/boot/index.htm).

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"I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question."
-- Charles Babbage, mathematician, computer pioneer, analytical engine designer (1791-1871)