PC does not boot

[alanr]

I have a PC that does not boot. Fans come on but I do not hear any beeps. What do I need to check and in what order?

[Budfred]

You are going to need to tell us a lot more to get anything other than generic answers. We need to know if this is a new problem on a new machine, old problem or whatever. Did it start after you installed new hardware/software? What have you already done to troubleshoot the problem? What are the computer specs and, if it is a brand name, what model number? What OS are you using? The more you tell us, the more likely we can help.

That said, the first thing I would do is disconnect all drives and try a minimal boot. Just the mobo, CPU, power, case speaker, 1 stick RAM, video and keyboard. If you still don't get POST, try the same config out of the box on a nonconductive surface (like a piece of cardboard) and see if you get POST. If still no POST, chances are good that either the CPU and/or mobo is bad.

Make sure you check all connections in the computer as well, particularly make sure the CPU fan is plugged into the mobo and the Clear CMOS jumper is in the right position.

[alanr]

The computer is a Compaq Presario 5000. Unfortunately I do not know the history as the computer was given to me by a friend who got it from another person thinking he could fix it. My friend was just going to toss it when I said well give it to me. So now I am trying to fix it.

After opening the case I looked to find the speaker but did not find one. Did the Presario not come with a speaker? Seems strange to me. Does anyone know if the Presario 5000 came with a built in speaker? How do you listen for the peep messages...

I tried the minimal boot but without a speaker I cannot hear if there is a beep. I do not have a POST Card so I am at a loss as to how to determine if I get a POST. I also do not get any video. Vodeo is integrated in the mobo. Power supply fan runs and so does the microprocessor fan. Operating system is win98SE.

[Budfred]

It definitely has a case speaker, but it can be hard to find. It is behind the front cover in some desktop Compaqs I've worked with, but I am not sure where they are in the towers. Look for the speaker connector on the motherboard and just make sure it is plugged in. It should be in the same bank of pins as the power switch and such.

An old Compaq that was about to be trashed could have any number of problems including fried board and/or CPU. The minimal boot outside the box is probably the next logical step, but you do have to make sure the speaker is attached or you won't hear POST beeps. If you get POST, but no picture, it could be the video and you could try a PCI video card to see if it works. It could also be bad RAM and you might have to get some known good RAM to test with.

It could also be the power supply. The PS in Compaqs is often barely adequate and it may just not be up to the task any more. If it isn't a proprietary PS, it could be worthwhile to try another. I am not sure if that is an AT computer and if it is, you will need an AT PS. If you have a multimeter and know how to use it, you can test the PS that way.

The other thing is to get a can of air and really blow it out well. Take cards out of slots and blow out the slots. Get all the dust out that you can. Visually inspect the board to make sure that there is no evident damage and that capicitors are not bulging or burst.

Keep in mind that this may be a lost cause and decide how much it is worth to you to try to fix it on that basis....

[James Bond 007]

Are all the parts there?or did the origional owner scavange some parts?Like the memory.Just a wild guess,but would a bad batery do this?Please excuse my ignorance,Im a novice computer geek.

[Paul Komski]

Do any LCDs come on?

Does anything at all appear on the monitor (Compaq Logo/Cursor/etc)?

Will the pc by any chance boot to an emergency floppy?

[alanr]

Well I have traced every wire coming off the mobo and I find no speaker. I have also examined all the sheet metal and find no place where a speaker could be mounted nor do I find any evidence (worn metal surfaces) where a speaker might have been mounted. I'm confused. I never heard of a PC without an audiable means telling if the computer is booting properly, but I am fastly becoming a believer that this computer does not have a speaker.

I have replaced the power supply with a 350watt supply. Not change.

I have not tried to replace the battery. Could the battery cause a computer not to start the boot process at all or would it simply give an error beep of sorts? I will try to replace the battery next. I will also try to boot up DOS from a floppy to see if that works by any chance. If that does not work then I quess I will have to assume the mobo and or processor is dead unless anyone has any other ideas.

Again for reference the computer does not boot. I get no video at all nor do I hear any beep notes.

[Budfred]

It is unlikely that the battery would keep it from booting at all, it would be more likely to make it operate erratically, but for the cost a battery, it is worthwhile to try it...

I would be extremely surprised if you really didn't have a speaker in there somewhere, maybe it is actually mounted on the motherboard???

If you have tried a minimal boot out of the case and still no joy, the next step is probably to try swapping out the motherboard and CPU with a compatible and known working system. If this is not feasible, it may be time to plays Taps....:eek:

[mjc]

Some motherboards have a tiny speaker mounted on the motherboard. Look for a little black, plastic canister an 1" or less in diameter, with a hole in the middle. Possibly off to one side or in a corner.

[alanr]

Teach me something here!!! I have not tried a minimal boot outside the case, but I have inside. What is the difference?

[Mcd]

I have the same problem with the 5000 persario it was running fine and then it just wouldn't start. It was bought new and is only about a year old. I've reset the bios, reseatted everythin and still nothing. I'm running xp. any help would be appriciated

[Budfred]

alanr,

The difference is that if you have a short causing the problem, it will most likely be avoided by testing out of the case. If you don't, the problem will persist and you are looking at testing the motherboard and CPU. Testing outside the case is simply another step in trying to narrow down the problem by trying to rule out the possibility of a short circuit.

Mcd,

I suggest you follow the suggestions given to alanr and if they don't work for you, start your own thread to ask about the problem. If you do, provide lots of detail about your system and about the problem... the more you tell us, the more likely we can help.

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

[alanr]

To MCD

Can you tell me where the internal speaker on your 5000 is located? I don't seem to be able to find it on my 5000.

[Budfred]

I have never heard of this before, but according to some guy on the Compaq forum your Presario doesn't have an internal speaker after all. I knew Compaq were generally cheap, but this is really, really cheap....
The link to the site didn't work so I deleted it. You can find it by going to the Compaq site and doing a search in support.

I am guessing you do have onboard sound, so try plugging a speaker into the sound port and see if that generates a POST beep. I don't even know if that would work since the POST beep generally comes through the internal speaker...

[Paul Komski]

Pretty lousy but the best I could find.
http://www.measham.force9.co.uk/compaq/mb/com5000.htm

[drewbob]

Going by the picture Paul found, you should be able to attach a speaker to the existing header on the board. You should be able to borrow one out of any other computer.

[alanr]

I borrowed my speaker from my other computer and still no beeps. Guess its time to declare the mobo dead. However I would like to bring new life back to this PC. Anyone have any recommendations for a low cost replacement of the mobo, processor (current processor is 667MHz), and memory (want to upgrade to 128MB) and where I can get these items?

[Budfred]

It depends on what you mean by low cost. You can get a decent mobo, a hot CPU and 512MB RAM for about $150 or so. You can look at Newegg (http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduct.asp?submit=manufactory&catalog=22&manufactory=1414&DEPA=1&sortby=14&order=1) for most of this. The link takes you to ECS mobos and the first one is a decent board at low cost. They also have AMD Barton CPUs for a good price. I would look for local chain store sales for the RAM.

[drewbob]

For a low cost solution I would recommend Biostar M7VIG Pro (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=&submit=Go&description=N82E16813138217) for $57. This board has integrated sound, video, and network. 256mb PC2100 memory (http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproduct.asp?DEPA=&submit=Go&description=N82E16820999303) for $38. Good stuff CL2. And a retail version of the Athlon XP ranging from the 1800+ to the 2400+. These go for $56-86 at newegg. A combo like that would be 150-180 dollars.

[Paul Komski]

Thumbs-up to that Biostar M7VIG package. Its well worth the cost to get the DDR memory. No hassle setup with all the onboard stuff. System here with a WD 80gig 7200 has been just flying along.

[alanr]

I am looking for the lowest lowest cost solution. However I do want to upgrade to 128MB from the 64MB the system now has. The computer will only be used for surfing the web using a dial up account and for getting webmail.

[Budfred]

The irony of the moment is that a 128MB RAM stick will cost about the same or only a few dollars less than a 256MB RAM stick. You can find the 256MB for as little as $10 after rebates if you catch the right sale, but they can be found pretty much every week for $20 after rebate. If you are thinking of using WinXP now or eventually, you would be better off with 512MB RAM. If you went with the ECS or Biostar board with a AMD Barton CPU and 512MB RAM, you would still be hitting about $150....

[alanr]

Not on this particular machine. It will continue to run Win98SE.