Computer won't Boot, Clicking noise

[hokiejoe]

While trying to install a new HP PSC-1315xi printer on my computer, my PS/2 mouse and keyboard became disabled. This occurred while I was installing the printer utilizing the HP supplied installation CD. I was nearing the end of this process when the installation software instructed me to connect the USB cable to my printer. Upon doing so, my mouse and keyboard no longer responded. Since I could do nothing without my mouse or keyboard responding, I shut down power to the computer and did a hard reboot. During startup, the computer made an abnormal clicking noise, but started up normally into Windows XP Home Edition and my user selection screen appeared. However, again neither my mouse nor my keyboard responded. I then tried to reboot the computer into safe mode, however the computer does not recognize the keyboard even during start up and I can not. I then disconnected the USB printer cable from the computer and rebooted. This had no effect as the computer started up with the abnormal clicking noise, but the mouse and keyboard still did not respond. I then turned off the computer, disconnected the power and rebooted the computer. This had no effect as the computer started up with the abnormal clicking noise, but the mouse and keyboard still did not respond. I then tried booting the computer into safe mode and was unable to do so since the keyboard does not function even during start up. I tried a USB mouse on the machine and it won’t work either. I tried booting up with a MS DOS diskette, but the keyboard still wouldn’t work. I then removed the battery from the mother board and then reinstalled it. Now the machine doesn’t boot up into Windows XP and the clicking noise is still evident. I tried swapping out the hard drive and this had no effect. Help! FYI, my computer is a Sony Vaio desktop with a Pentuim 3 processor delivered with Windows Me operating system upgraded to Windows XP Home Edition.

[classicsoftware]

First, let's take a deep breath.

Does it make the clicking sound even if the hard drive is removed?

What type of mouse and keyboard do you have?

Have you tried to re-seat the keyboard and mouse? I hope you did not do it while the PC was on.

[Paul Komski]

Quite often one bad component can have knock-on effects on other components and a functional keyboard is necessary to get into the BIOS setup. Suggest getting a new (or at least a different) ps/2 keyboard. Clicking noises tend to come from moving parts such as a HDD or something rubbing against a fan etc - so disconnecting the HDD and attempting to get into the BIOS is, I agree, certainly worth a shot.

[hokiejoe]

Yes, the clicking noise is present even with the hard drive removed.
I have a PS/2 keyboard and mouse. The mouse is a roller ball type. I have tested both devices on another computer and both functioned normally.
I have tried reseating the keyboard and the mouse with no effect.

As I previously described, the computer would boot up to the XP log in screen before I tried removing and replacing the battery on the mother board. The clicking noise was present during boot up, but I can't remember if the clicking continued after the XP log in screen appeared. Now, XP does not boot up. The black screen with F1 (Continue)or F2 (Set Up) choices appears and the clicking noise is continuous. Of course the computer won't recognize the keyboard and I can't do anything.

[Paul Komski]

Even though you tried the keyboard on another pc it is still worth trying a different keyboard on your pc. Is there no way of narrowing down where the clicking is coming from? PSU? FDD? CDROM? etc?

[hokiejoe]

I tried another keyboard and mouse on my PC. Neither of them worked either.
I disconnected the Hard Drive and pwered up and the clicking was still evident. I powered down, reconnected the Hard Drive and disconnected the CDROM and it still clicked. I powered down, reconnected the CDROM and removed the RAM. The clicking went away and was replaced with intermittent long beeps on a regular interval. Is my RAM bad?

[pcguideuser745]

I had the same clicking problem with our old P3-based Compaq several years ago. I can't remember the model number, I just remember that it was a Compaq :P

Well, it worked fine for about a year, and after that, it started producing clicking sounds when we powered up the system. Things were still ok, we could still use the computer, but eventually, the computer would fail to boot into Windows (XP Pro), and the clicking noises would continue. Well, it turns out that one of the capacitors on the motherboard had burst, and apparently that was the main cause. After we got the motherboard replaced, everything started working fine again.

So, I suggest that you look for any damaged parts on your motherboard. You just may find a non-functional capacitor. Good luck!

[Paleo Pete]

If a different mouse and keyboard do not respond, I would think you have a damaged PS/2 port, which is just as good as a bad motherboard, since the cure is the same either way. Replace the motherboard.

Check the Bad Capacitors (http://www.pcguide.com/vb/showthread.php?t=25482) thread, it has good information on what to look for to determine if you have bad ones or not. If you have one or more that resemble the pictures of the bad ones, that also means replace the motherboard unless you are really good with a soldering irona dn can find replacement caps of the same values.

[Sylvander]

The only clicking noise I hear from my PC is when I put it into "sleep" mode.
I imagine the "click" is the sound of some switch operating.

Could your system be switching to "sleep" then on again cyclically and rapidly?