Boot Problem--(computer died)

[StarKitty]

I was upgrading my dual boot (Red Hat Linux 6.1 to ver.7) and the installation program just stopped. I pushed the reset button, and the computer did not boot. The drives and peripherals were getting power, but nothing was being displayed on the monitor and it wasn't going through it's boot procedure. We disconnected all peripherals except for the monitor, trackball and keyboard. This did nothing. We disconnected both hard drives, the floppy and the cd-rom. Again nothing. We tested each RAM chip in turn, nothing. I unplugged the video card and tested it in another computer and it's fine. I replaced the power source with a brand new one on the chance that it was the problem. Nothing. I don't have a sound card and I can't think of anything else to do. I'm guessing at this point that the problem is either the cpu or the motherboard. I really don't want to have to replace it, so I'm hoping there's something I've overlooked.

There were no signs beforehand that this was going to happen. Everything was working perfectly.

Computer specs:

AMD K6-3 400MHz
PC Chips M577 motherboard
192 MB PC100 RAM (two chips--one 64 MB, one 128 MB)
17.2 GB Western Digital HD
6.4 GB Seagate HD
3d Ragepro Video (AGP)
onboard sound chip (CMI880)
US Robotics PCI Winmodem
44x generic CD-ROM

Any help at all will be greatly appreciated!

S.K.

[StarKitty]

http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/mad.gif Thanks for not responding. It really made my month. I'm replacing the piece of junk and I'll keep in mind the 'friendliness' of these boards next time I have a computer problem.


S.K. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/mad.gif

[Paleo Pete]

Hate to see anyone leave angry, but if you'll check through the forums you'll see that we have several questions regarding dual boot systems, and very few techs who know much about dealing with it.

That's not because of ignorance, but because none of the folks on here have had much experience with dual boot systems, and generally don't wish to give folks bad advice.

Sorry you feel like you've been ignored, but when it comes to multiple boot systems, you're not alone...

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Soon as I come up with all the answers...they change the questions!!

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

[StarKitty]

Except, of course, that it wasn't the dual-boot system that was the problem. It didn't get far enough to even start the boot manager. It never even ran it's test sequence. Like I said, it doesn't matter anymore because I'm replacing the thing. Next time I have a computer problem, though, I will keep in mind the fact that nobody here even gave me an "I'm sorry, we don't know anything about that" response.

S.K.

[Chuck]

I have only been monitoring this board for a short period of time and reading through your posting: I was upgrading my dual boot (Red Hat Linux 6.1 to ver.7) and the installation program just stopped. Indicated to me that the install probably screwed things up. The next sentence: I pushed the reset button, and the computer did not boot. Overlay of the boot sector?? Hardware problem (not likely to happen at that exact time, though possible)?? You did everything except replace the motherboard or CPU according to the write-up. I worked as a field rep for IBM for 20 years hardware and software and not knowing any more of what happened, I for one did not believe I had anything to offer. However, if you need a cozy warm hand to hold, here is mine. I do have sympathy for your situation but outside of the former statements cannot see where the advice of how to proceed would be beneficial. If you would like to go to the Cnet forum there are numerous questions that have not been answered for a longer time than yours. These forums have visiting techs (of various levels of expertise) not a group assigned to answer each inquiry. If I can give good factual help or suggestions, I will do so, otherwise I read and pass on to the next believing that someone better qualified will assist.

[This message has been edited by Chuck (edited 12-01-2000).]

[Paleo Pete]

Just to add to what Chuck posted, most of the folks on the forums do basically the same. If they feel they don't have anything to offer they move on to the next post.

This is not to be rude, or to ignore anyone, just the common way of doing things.

Also you have to consider, if you look through the forums, and see how many posts some of these people make, it's obvious to me some of them spend 2-3 hours a day or more on this forum same as I do. IF they tried to post a simple "I can't help you" for every topic, they'd double the time they spend here.

I don't expect anyone to do that, they already do enough, and spend plenty time trying to help when they can.

Also, according to your first post, the problem appeared during a Linux installation, on a dual boot system, so it IS related to a multiple boot situation, and very few of us know much about them.
I was upgrading my dual boot (Red Hat Linux 6.1 to ver.7) and the installation program just stopped. I pushed the reset button, and the computer did not boot.

Now I think it's best to lock this topic before it turns into a "flamefest". I don't intend to sit here and see these good people insulted.

Nobody tried to ignore you, and with all the time some of these people already spend here, they can't be expected to post an answer of some sort to EVERY question...if they don't have advice to offer, they simply move on, that's the customary way of doing things.

Sorry you were angered, nobody wants to see that, but sometimes it can't be avoided.

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Soon as I come up with all the answers...they change the questions!!

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