PC seems dead

[OReverb]

I intended to share my cable modem connection using multiple ethernet cards, and I started by installing just one. At the same time I installed 64mb DIMM to accompany the 256mb already present. (Before I had 2x32mb & 1 64mb DIMMs and a new 256mb module, and they all didn't work well together since I experienced random bootups so I stuck for a while to the 256mb module only.)
So I tried to boot up. The lights in the network card seemed to blink and the cable modem indicated a connection with the PC. The monitor stayed in power-saving mode and I heard one long and three short beeps and the PC didn't boot. On Phoenix' site they say that Award BIOS, which I have, only beeps when the video isn't working or there's problem with RAM. I checked my AGP card and installed the old memory (just the 64mb module) and tried again. Now there were no error beeps, the power led didn't light up and the hard disk led was lighted all the time when power is on. This thing with the HD led is normal, since it's been that way always. But why am I not hearing the beeps anymore? I swapped the other memory modules also, but the result was the same.
Now the PC's hardware is configured exactly as it were when it worked fine, but it doesn't boot, doesn't beep and only the HD led is on and my CD-RW drive's led blinks a few times when trying to boot. Could the ethernet card have damaged my system in some way, or what's the most probable cause of this? I've run out of ideas..

My configuration in details:
P2/350MHz
256mb memory
Gigabyte 6bxs board
SB AWE32
Hauppauge WinTV
Guillemot Xentor32 Riva TNT2 Ultra
A few IDE HDs, about 12gb & 6gb
HP CDRW 2x/2x/24x

[mjc]

A hardware conflict with the card can cause it to hang..

Can you enter the CMOS Setup?

If you can, try just entering and then exiting, saving the changes...you may also have a memory size problem. If that doesn't seem to do anything try reloading the default values....same procedure. If you can't enter the BIOS pull the NIC and try again.

What motherboard do you have?....there may be a limitation on the amount of memory it can use, and on some boards going over that can cause problems

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.


[This message has been edited by mjc (edited 10-04-2001).]

[OReverb]

No, I can't enter the setup since the PC really doesn't boot at all. I removed everything except the CPU and it's the way it was. Nothing happens except the HD led is on and the reset button works, since after pushing it the PC seems to check the CDRW drive (led of CDRW blinks). As I mentioned the motherboard is Gigabyte 6bxs and it supports 1gb of memory so the memory size isn't the problem either.. But there must some severe problem with the motherboard (??) since without a video adapter, like I tried it, it SHOULD beep, but it keeps silent. I have no ideas but to replace my motherboard..

[mjc]

First try to reset the the BIOS defaults, either with the jumper (if you have the manual it sshould be easy to find it) or by removing the battery...also try removing the hard drive, check (double, triple, quadruple....) all the internal connections, especially the speaker (internal) to see if it has become disconnected. Also make sure that you are completely powered down if yoiu are going to remove the battery (unplug it or use a powerstrip and turn the power off at the strip). Also check to make sure that the CPU fan hasn't gotten disconnected.

I didn't know your board off the top of my head and didn't really want to look it up last night http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif , but yeah I'd say that it shouldn't be a size problem. (looked it up this morning...seems like it is/was a nice one http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/smile.gif / http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/frown.gif )

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mjc
Links list:Computer Links (http://www.dreamwater.org/tech/mjc/index.htm)

Celts are the men that heaven made mad, For all their battles are merry and their songs are all sad.


[This message has been edited by mjc (edited 10-04-2001).]

[OReverb]

Well, I took every part but the processor out and plugged them back.. tried to boot, but it didn't work. Tonight, for the heck of it, I tried it again and the green led lighted up and it booted. By the way, there's this jumper on the board called "System After Ac Back". I have no idea what it's for, but I put it on and off a few times. Perhaps it helped, though currently it's not in its original position, which was off. I also took the battery out and back in. Anyway, the system works now fine and for awhile I'll stick to the rule "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

[classicsoftware]

Dear Oreverb:

Always do ONE thing at a time.

I suspect either bad RAM or the NIC. Leaning to the RAM.

I would try to install the NIC again and see what happens.

What brand of NIC?

I just finished my 6 node home network and aside from a few cabling snafus it went togther pretty easily.