Another boot problem

[JesH]

I've read most of the posts on this page about failing boots, and while some sound like my problem they are not quite the same.

Here's the specs:

K7VMA MOBO
Award bios
AMD Duron 750 MHz
VIA KM 133 chipset

Here's the situation:

A couple of months ago I build a computer for my gf and it has worked fine until the other day when it froze because of the screen saver. She didn't know you have to hold the power button in for a few secs for she did the unthinkable and yanked the power cord...

Now when I try to boot it the following happens:

Power and HD LCD lights up, CPU + PS fan starts up, indicator light on MOBO lights up (it always does that when working), cd-rom LCD lights up and then it goes awry, the usual post beeps has been replaced with a continued series of beeps (indication of hardware failure?), the monitor is missing the signal (the monitor has been tested and is ok) and the usual light on the keyboard is gone.

I tried to replace the RAM with known good ones, starting the comp without the floppy and without the HD.

I suspect the MOBO is gone since the sound and video is onboard, but would like a second opinion before buying a new one.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

[mjc]

Try removing the CMOS battery or move the clear jumper to the "reset" position, if you have the manual follow the directions in it for resetting the defaultt values for the BIOS.

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.fortunecity.com/skyscraper/highrise/11/index.htm)

Vive diu prosperaque!

[JesH]

Sounds like a plan although I don't have access to the computer until monday so I'll try it then. I would have to get another CMOS battery though right? I mean can it start up without it?

I have the manual to the Mobo so I'll try resetting it too.

Thanks mjc.

[fishybawb]

I think mjc means take the battery out and then put it back in again after a few minutes - sorry for speaking on your behalf mjc http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif



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If at first you don't succeed, try brute force and ignorance.

[rkmca]

Try reset/clear CMOS first, if that does not work, remove battery, put it back and try. It still fails, put a new battery and try. Remember you have do all of your BIOS setup again.

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RM

[danleff]

Follow the user guide directions for clearing the cmos, OR remove the battery (note how it was set in the slot)- let the motherboard sit for a few hours with the battery out(some motherboard manuals say for 5 seconds, but I would wait for a few hours), replace the battery as it was before, then follow the directions on the user guide for getting into the bios and choose setting the default values.

[tjaymadison]

As long as you unplug the power cord at the outlet, 10-15 minutes should be long enough.

When you put the battery back, boot from A: with a boot disk.
Go to Bios setup first, select "Load Default Values", save and exit. Let the boot continue.
If you can get it to boot to the A: prompt, you're on your way. Good Luck: http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

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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)
-- (Question: 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?')

[VoopVoopVoop]

For my boot problem I was told to clear the cmos, I did so by putting the clear cmos jumper to clear for ~10 seconds as recommended. Should I leave the jumper in the clear cmos place for longer?

Also, I was told that the cmos is working properly if holding the power key on the front of the case for 5 seconds turns it off. Is this true?

Thanks.

[tjaymadison]

Click here (http://www.pcguide.com/ts/x/comp/mbsys/cmosClearCMOS-c.html) for some instructions.

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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)
-- (Question: 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?')

[JesH]

Is the CMOS battery the same as the clock battery? That's the only battery I can see on the MOBO.

I tried to reset the jumpers but it wouldn't power up, and I know I reset the right jumpers as the manual is pretty good as far as that goes.

[mmrmike]

Try looking in mother board manual for post beeps, find that series of beeps and try starting there.

[JesH]

It's supposedly indication of hardware failure. (According to several websites I've seen)