No POST

[cwmcobra]

This is a PC that was built about 6 months ago. ABIT BF6 motherboard with PIII 1000Hz processor. 256 MB Crucial memory.

When I turned the PC on yesterday, the power, HDD and CDRW LEDs lit and all the fans were running, but no POST. Wouldn't take the monitor off "sleep" mode and wouldn't even try to boot from the FDD. Also, wouldn't power down with the power switch. I had to use the switch on the power supply to shutdown.

I've replaced the power supply with a known good one, removed all peripheral connections and adapter cards except video and tried to fire up with just the monitor and keyboard/mouse connected. No go. I've checked the voltage on the motherboard battery and it is at spec. I've reseated the memory module and even disconnected the fans for a very short time. Still no go.

I assume I need to replace the motherboard (tough to find a BF6 these days). Any other ideas? Could it be the CPU and if so, how can I test it?

Thanks for any suggestions,

Chuck

[YODA74]

SiSoft Sandra is a utility test you can use and you also may want to try using your processor on an equivalent system, or try an equivalent processor in your system.You may also want to take everything out of the case and install one thing at a time to see where the problem lyes time consuming but worth it before you spend a lot of money..

I would agree that it may be the board

[Budfred]

Welcome to http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif

The only way that I know to test when you get no POST is to find a compatible CPU and/or mobo to test each. You can try testing outside the case on a nonconductive surface before you get to this point however, there is some possibility of a short causing your problem and this would rule that out. Do a minimal boot as you have described, but with the mobo on a wooden tabletop or piece of cardboard.

[Fruss Tray Ted]

... can you try your video card in anything else? Only way to test the CPU is another compatible mobo for all practical applications. There may be test equipment but big $$$$$$'s.

Assumably you could try your keys, mouse and monitor on another pc, but are you able to try your video card on someone's mobo as well? Maybe a repair shop?

Although you have Crucial RAM and it doesn't load until after post, I would try either to test it or try a known good stick in your system. Any kind of lowered resistance (resembling a short) on the PSU leg of the RAM might have an effect on the POST process.

Last but not least, you might want to try a reset of BIOS if it became corrupt for any reason, hopefully not a virus. Not sure if you can recover a mobo from a boot virus or not.

OK, I've vented. I'm out of downright cold guesses.

Next? :rolleyes: