Unable To Boot System

[ibok77]

Unable to properly boot the system. I recently got this Toshiba Tecra 500CDT with Pentium120 Processor, 32MB RAM, 2.1 HD, and Win98. Immediately after turning it on the unit performs it's normal, automatic dianostic testing of the internal system. However, as soon as it checks and validates the system's memory during this brief testing, it just STOPS (or "hangs")there and nothing happens. Absolutely nothing happens even when pressing a key or any key! Normally one hears a loud "beep" upon completing the short testing and just prior to opening Win98 desktop screen. Before deciding to take the unit to a professional expert for evaluation and service and avoiding incurring expenses associated with it, what procedure can I myself undertake to correct this problem? Please e-mail me any helpful suggestions ASAP. Thank you! ~Kool~

[jcift]

Your computer system runs what they call a post (Power On Self Test) when you turn it on. During this test, periphals, memory, and other things are checked and okayed when they are shown as functioning successfully. When it tested the memory and stopped, did you receive any type of error message? If you can, try to remove the memory and reinstall it. This could (not guaranteed) be a quick-fix for your problem. Let me know how it goes.........
If you have any additional detail regarding this matter, let me know.

[ibok77]

It does a very brief POST, but when it stops, there is no error message whatsoever. There is a blinking cursor and no "beep" sound. I tried taking the memory out and re-inserting it back in with no affect. My friend who sent the laptop unit to me said it was in working great before shipping it. Any other suggestions welcome.

[jcift]

There are only a couple of things that come to mind now, based on the information that you presented. It is difficult to troubleshoot problems when there is no error message(s) present. First, find out if your friend made any changes to the PC before shipping it to you, and secondly, there could be the possibility of the PC being mishandled during shipping (i.e. dropped, hopefully is was packaged adequately). Check to see if there is any physical damage present. If you hang around the forum for a while, hopefully someone else with some more expertise in this matter can respond to this. Otherwise, if all else fails, let someone take a look at it.
Good Luck

[Paleo Pete]

Could be a couple of things. Power problem is my first guess, are you running from the battery, or an AC adapter? And if battery, is it fully charged?

No beeps usually means a big problem. Could be power supply, as mentioned, memory, CPU, video card not seated properly, bad CMOS chip, or bad motherboard.

To test memory and CPU you'd need to have spares on hand to replace them with, kind of expensive unless you happen to have a box full of spare parts already. Same for motherboard and CMOS chip, replacing the motherboard would be about the only way to prove either is bad.

Check into a BIOS problem too, something may be set wrong. The BIOS Survival Guide (http://www.manawatu.gen.nz/pages/bios_survival/bios_sg.htm) has very good info, the PC Guide's System BIOS (http://www.pcguide.com/ref/mbsys/bios/index.htm) chapter has plenty excellent info too.

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[This message has been edited by Paleo Pete (edited 11-09-2000).]

[ibok77]

Thanks for your assistance jcift and Paleo Pete...it's greatly appreciated! Yesterday, I took the unit to a nearby computer sale/repair business to get a diagnostic evaluation. Immediately upon hearing me telling the technician the symptoms, he was almost certain it had to do with system BIOS/Motherboard, which would require a relatively expensive service(estimated at $85-$100). I previously did a Power evaluation...both AC adapter and internal battery check okay! I also swapped memory modules(appropriate and applicable) with no positive results. A friend has the same laptop model and I inserted the memory module from mine and it functioned properly in his unit, therefore, the memory checks out okay as well!

[Paleo Pete]

Found some info earlier that might help. Troubleshooting the Boot Process (http://www.pcguide.com/ts/x/boot/index.htm) is an article in the PC Guide that will have some good info. From a search through the Microsoft Knowledge Database (http://search.microsoft.com/us/SearchMS25.asp) I have recommended Q188867 (http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/Q188/8/67.asp) fairly often for boot problems. This article might not help much, since it concerns issues mostly after POST is finished, but might be worth a look.

------------------
If you had everything...Where would you put it?

Computer Information Links (http://www.geocities.com/paleopete/)