Maybe the powersupply??

This may be a hard one as not much to go on. I was in the process of replacing ram in a friends computer. When done there was no boot and no video out. At about the same time I noticed the fan on the PS was not running. My initial though was that I had loosened something in seating the ram but after swapping all the memory cards no change. I even put in another video card, no change. I am pretty sure either the PS has something to do with it or the board just gave up the ghost when I seated the ram. I am open to any and all suggestions to pinpoint the fault.

 

When you picked up the box to turn it on it's side, did you change the rocker switch to off in the back?

 

I don't believe this model has a rocker. At any rate when applying power from the front switch it does power up and you can hear drives power up but no activation of the cooling fan or post or video out. I am tending to think either bios corruption or the power supply or a combination.

 

Reseat the RAM, and next put in a power supply.

 

And the obvious ......... maybe, just maybe ........... you have some lousy or mismatched memory that his machine doesn't like. Not all memory is created equal. What did you pull and what did you install? Were the latencies the same? I might have a few more questions once we get past this first round.

 

Hi,

Maybe when installing the RAM, something else was knocked loose. Suggest you pull and reseat all the other connections, video card, drive connections, PCI cards etc. Pull and reseat the power connector for the motherboard. Don't forget drive connections at the motherboard.

Matt

 

Thanks for all those suggestions. I can get rid of the mismatch ram concern as I tried several combinations and finished by reinstalling the original ram in its original slot after verifying it was still good in another machine. I checked but did not pull and rinstall all the connections. I do not have the machine at hand now but asked the owner to pull and reset the CMOS battery after several minutes to reset it. I will do a pull and replace connections starting with all eripherals as soon as I get next to the machine next.

 

Sorry Rob, but that doesn't mean much. If the bottom line was that you put the original memory back in its original slot and left all else alone and returned the machine and it was running as it used to, then in fact you had mis-matched memory. Most likely a CAS mismatch but could be a host of other things. Again, not all memory is created equal.

If the machine currently runs, then based upon your last post, my advice to you is not to clear CMOS as you will then need to reset the BIOS and this is not just a "try this, try that" type task. You may wind up doing more harm than good. If you want to take a stab at my earlier questions, I'll try to help ....... Regardless, Good Luck.

 

Sorry guess I was not clear. When I reinstalled the original verified good memory the machine still did not work. No boot, no video nothing. I can hear it power up but the light on the monitor never changes from yellow to green and no presentation is displayed. The light on the front of the puter is green vice indicating a problem and no post tones so really confused. I am still trying to get a display so I can verify what the problem is from there. Monitor good also verified. So problem is bios, motherboard or ?

 

no post tones indicates a dead CPU and/or motherboard (BIOS) if you mean "no beep ". A bad power supply could certainly be one cause.

afterthought: Looks like you're looking at a rebuild (if it's not too old) or a new machine.

 

Thanks Sparrow. That is my assessment also. I spoke to the Gateway techs today and they told me there is no normal condition in which that fan on the PS would not be running so I think that at any rate the PS is history. So will replace that and see where that leads. I will keep you all posted. Thanks for the great advice so far.

 

OK - bad to worse and it sure could be CPU or MoBo or PSU. Only a couple of comments here before you start replacing any/all of the above or before your friend goes shopping. First, check the CPU fan header connection and if necessary try it on a different header - I've seen these go bad when nothing else is wrong with the board. Your more advanced boards require the CPU fan to be on a specific header, but Gateway isn't known for using advanced boards. Secondly, and contrary to my earlier post - definately clear CMOS and then try rebooting and reset the BIOS to default setup. Lastly, if it were me, I wouldn't waste a lot of time if the machine doesn't want to respond. You should be able to get a decent CPU/MoBo combination for a hundred bucks or so that can utilize your existing RAM and for the time involved, that may be the cheapest approach longer term.

 

hi Rockster2U,

"check the CPU fan header connection " That's not the problem. " I noticed the fan on the PS was not running " That's the problem.

" bad to worse " Never changed. Read the first post.

Still looks like a dead pc.

 

Well, I'd hate to be the one that has to say this but...

If you took a working machine and now it will not boot during a RAM upgrade...This seems to be a mistake by you, the installer.

To me, either a card became dislodged or the motherboard or another part inside the case must have been static charged....There is just no other explanation for where you are now.

This is ASSuming that the motherboard was properly installed to start with as far as standoffs are concerned.

My questions...

Did you use a static strap to reduce the chance of a static charge? In other words, were you grounded?

Was the machine unplugged from the wall before attempting to install the new RAM stick???

I would try to clear the CMOS using the jumper "Somewhere" on the motherboard at this point and see if you can get it running, as it was. I wish I had more for you.

Dale

 

Oh so right - been doing too many things at once on this end. Definate brain cramp - will re-read these things before opening mouth and inserting foot again so quickly.

Won't argue that one either but I think Dale442 said it best just above.

My initial take was (ASSumption) that machine worked again when old RAM went back in and was returned. Was corrected there too - thats the bad to worse. Not familiar with returning working things in non-working order down here.

 

You guys are so right. But we're not here to assess blame, just to try to figure out what the current situation is. I certainly won't "cast the first stone" and I'm sorry if I seemed critical; I think R and I are good friends and can tolerate a little friendly pecking order fun (I hope).

 

For those that need this...

This is not my arrogance, as far as puters are concerned...I have NONE.

Why? Because I am always learning.

Above, is my thoughts on the problem. I'm just trying to help out.

I DO believe this is why we are all here. Definetely why I am here.

Learning the hard way IS a way of life for me .......And many others I suspect.
If???... I can offer pieces of info....to help....Great.

Again,that's why I'm here.

Please find the manual for the motherboard and clear the CMOS if it still won't boot and then lets all go from there.

Dale

 

Now that all are smiling

Robwhite has it right - Maybe the powersupply?? So will replace and see where that leads.

Robwhite - didn't mean to sound critical and definately understand that stuff happens. I had one a couple of months back where a brand spanking new out of the box wireless PS2 keyboard & mouse sent sparks flying, smoke billowing and left a lot of ozone in the air - totally fried a 4 month old 500W PowMax PSU.



edit: also agree with Dale's edit re: clearing cmos first and then if no boot, next steps.

 

Qqq

Borrowing (If possible) a Quality P.S. to test the system is a nice idea for where you are now.

Just don't spend any money untill you know what you need to buy.

Dale

 

I also learn best from my worst mistakes so no offense taken at any comment. They all help. I considered the static but I don't think that would have given me a partially working PS. And as I look at the sequence I think static is an unlikely culprate although I do admit I am amoung the worst offenders in this area. In fact I think this evening, based on that comment I will reconfigure my test stand to make sure that never occurs. But in this case the order at the moment is 1. cmos reset. 2. Then PS replacement. I do have a supply of PSs that I can use to test and for replacement if that in fact is the culprit. I will keep you all informed as I go through the steps. Hopefully tomorrow I will have the opportunity to test.