Computer boots but no video!?

OK, heres the deal. I was fixing a friends computer and I got everything all re-installed and it was working fine when I got curious about his CPU and heatsink. I took the two metal clips off of both sides and took it off. The CPU was very small and was attached to the bottom of the heatsink. Everything seemed fine and I put it back together and went to boot up when I got nothing. I hear it boot up, I hear fans, the hard drive but there are no beeps from the motherboard which would signal no cpu or anything like that. I tried 3 different video cards in it and none worked. I know there is a video signal becuase when I unplug the monitor I get the check video message and as soon as I plug it in it goes away. I know that the motherboard has power becuase the yellow light comes on and I am pretty sure that it boots into windows just because I have to hold the power button for 4 seconds before it will shut off again. I would greatly appreciate any ideas becuase he wants this back ASAP. Is there any way that I can check to see what teh problem is easily? I have another computer that I could use if need be. Thanks!

 

This is a duplicate post.

There is also one in the Hardware forum.

Here

Please do not do this.

BB

Edit by PeteC - threads merged/moved/edited

 

I am just trying to cover all of my bases because I need this fixed by tonight if possible!

 

I understand that ( maybe ) but posting in two places is not going to help. Any and all replies should be left in ONE PLACE to avoid confusion on BOTH yours and our part

And anybody that does read one DOES need to know the other is there.

BillyBob

 

One question?

Why did you take to heatsink and CPU off the motherboard.

 

Remove all "added" hardware like soundcards, modem, lan, etc. Reseat the RAM. If it has more than one stick of RAM, just try one.

If it still does not start, disconnect the harddrive(s) and start with a boot floppy in the floppy drive.

If it still does not start. Check the motherboard manual for how to clear the CMOS (all power must be disconnected). You can also clear the CMOS by removing the battery for 30 seconds or so.

If it starts add one piece of hardware back at a time between boots.

Matt

 

I did that before. Bent 2 pins on the CPU chip......
Might want to pull it again and check the pins
The fans / hard drive power comes from the power supply. The MOBO could be hosed and you'd still hear the hard drive spin up. NOT saying your MOBO is hosed, just saying the hard drive doesn't need the mother board to spin up.

 

ok, I checked the CPU and no bent pins. I took the CMOS battery out with no power for about 5 minutes and then put it back in and it still didnt show up. The thing I dont get is why would I have to hold the power button for 4 second to get it to turn off? Isnt that a windows xp thing? Is there some easy way that I can test to see if the CPU is shot, or even a way to make sure it is before I purchase a new one?

 

Chances are the hard drive has booted and windows is running. I've mainly has this shutdown issue with Windows 2000. You do start shutdown and it goes as far as the blue screen. One has to hold the power button in for a few seconds. Now back to the video issue. Did you try mattman's suggestions?
Do you have another pc to try the monitor with?
Are you SURE you put the CPU chip in the correct way? There's a small angle on the CPU chip for pin #1, it needs to line up with pin #1 on the MOBO connector.
Another question I have is did you remove the power supply lead to the MOBO before you removed the CPU?

 

Ram

try diff ram ,this post sounds like your ram is bad?

 

If you haven't solved this after all of the above, it sounds to me like the CPU has quit. I wonder if you had protection from static and unpluged the power to the mobo, and waited a few minutes for capacitors to discharge? Anyway, I suspect you'll have to replace the CPU to see if that's the problem.

I'd also suggest you use some heat-conducting compound each time you remove and replace a heat sink.

I think that's normal.

With no beep on post, I doubt windows is running.

 

well, I did not unplug the power connector to the mobo before unplugging the CPU. I have tried with 2 different monitors as well. I have move the chip around and it is in the only position that I can get it in to sit firmly. I dont think there is another way to mount it. would it be safer just to replace the entire mobo and memory along with the CPU? otherwise I do not know what else to do.

 

Might be the only option left unless you have a nearby repair shop you could take it to. If you do, ask what their charge will be for looking at it. Might be more then replacing.

 

I can't predict what is safer; really, nothing is safe. It depends on your resources, too. You may be wise to take the machine to a professional or at least work with one.

If you decide to do it yourself, you need all power disconnected and you need to have both yourself and the computer well grounded.

If you can reasonably get another of the same kind of chip and the same speed, you can try that first. I suspect the mobo is ok, but you can only prove that with a known good CPU. You do have to be sure you have the SAME brand and type; and don't forget the heatsink and fan before you apply power. I hope you have the manuals that came with the computer, or can download them.

If you can't or don't wish to do the above, then there's really no choice but a new mobo with matching cpu and memory, and I'd suggest ordering retail boxes, especially for the CPU so you get the appropriate heatsink and fan and 3 yr. warranty, and make sure the cpu and memory match the mobo. That's more expensive than the first option, of course. A good dealer should gladly check that what you buy is compatible if you ask.

I'd use pricewatch to get some ideas; look under Motherboard Combos, and under CPU.

BTW, you haven't mentioned the name, brand and model of this computer, and there are some that have a differently wired power supply (psu) so you can't just add a new mobo; you may have to install a standard psu and that may be impossible! That means you're looking at a new case as well!

 

important!

BTW, etc. - see last post.

 

"it was working fine when I got curious about his CPU and heatsink "

Hehehe .......... SUPER NERD, huh?

If you can identify the MoBo, I may have a couple of ideas. Just trying to clear CMOS and rebooting is a flawed approach - called half assed and it ain't going to get you a cigar.

Jumpering 3 pin CMOS header to 2&3 for 5-10 seconds with disconnected MoBo power header and then back to 1&2 is almost universal. No arguement, disconnected battery also works, but some odd-balls take a very long time (hours) to clear. And, in the case of a totally jumperless board -pulling the battery is the only approach. Either way Andrew, power must be disconnected from the MoBo - not just the machine. Then you must reset your BIOS on first boot.

Sounds to me like you are in over your head. You'd be well advised to do some reading on seating CPU's and, as was politely suggested, you need to replace the thermal compound everytime you pull a CPU.

Best advice at this point is "fess up" to your friend and then proceed with trying to fix it, even if you need to take it to a "qualified" technician. Hopefully, he/she will understand (even if they call you a dumb ****) and .......... your friendship remains intact.