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Computer won't boot, period.

Discussion in 'PC Hardware' started by neutropia, 2009/01/06.

  1. 2009/01/06
    neutropia

    neutropia Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    OK i'm at a loss here. forgive my typos because i'm on a laptop i hate.

    I'm running an older comp:
    2.2 ghz amd 3200+
    Some ASUA mobo i don't even remember =)
    Radeon 9600
    1.7gb RAM
    Vista Home Premium

    Before when I when shut off the comp due to power losses etc, but NOT on resets, the computer would give me issues starting up by randomly shutting off, but once windows booted, it would be just fine.

    Since then it's gotten more picky, and now it's to the point that I'll turn the computer on, everything inside will kick up and run, the HD activity light will come on solid, but after not even 5 seconds, it all shuts right back off. No DOS loading or anything of that sort.

    I've tried turning off some secondary fans to save some power drain to no avail. Disconnecting the hard drive also didn't even help DOS to boot up.

    My ONLY guess is a dead CMOS battery, but I don't know how/if that effects boot up.

    I'm desperate for ideas here... The ONLY thing I've changed is an upgrade from XP to Vista, but Vista ran perfectly fine until I accidentally hit shut down instead of restart, and now I can't even get the thing to come back....

    Please help!!!!!
     
    neutropia,
    #1
  2. 2009/01/06
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Hi neutropia. My guess as to why the computer won't boot up is that the computer is overheating and thats why its shutting off. Make sure that no fans are blocked by anything and that the labtop has a clear air flow. Can you get into the BIOS when the computer starts up? Can you get into Safe Mode? Have you tried pressing F8 on bootup and selecting Las Known Good Configuration? Do you have a Windows Vista CD? Can you boot off of it?
     
    Evan Omo,
    #2


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  4. 2009/01/06
    neutropia

    neutropia Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    The laptop isn't having the issues, it's the one i have with net access.

    My desktop is the problem. And no, I can't do anything. Everything turns on and then right off. Nothing comes on the monitor, and everything is clear. I've compressed air off the dust and have the side off to help extra vent.

    When i was having the problem before and windows DID boot up, my mobo was around 80F and my processor when active was around 123F or so.
     
    neutropia,
    #3
  5. 2009/01/06
    Miz

    Miz Inactive Alumni

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    If you've checked all the connections inside the case and they're all firmly seated, have you either tested or replaced the power supply unit?
     
    Miz,
    #4
  6. 2009/01/06
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    Ok thanks for more information. This is a very strange problem. Try taking out the CMOS battery and then putting it back in the motherbaord. This will reset the BIOS on the motherbaord. If you can try replacing the CMOS battery entirely. Just as Miz said, also check that all the cables are connected properly and that other components are securly plugged into the motherboard. Is the computers power supply high enough to support your system? Whats the wattage of the power supply? Has the computer been overheating for a long time or did this problem just start happening? If it has been happening for a long time then I would suspect thats its most likely a hardware problem. Its probably a problem with the power supply or the motherboard based on the computer symptoms.
     
    Evan Omo,
    #5
  7. 2009/01/06
    neutropia

    neutropia Well-Known Member Thread Starter

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    Yup. Power supply. So now my next question; how do I know what's a good wattage for my computer without going to overkill?
     
    neutropia,
    #6
  8. 2009/01/06
    Evan Omo

    Evan Omo Computer Support Technician Staff

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    I would say a 450 watt power supply or greater would be good. I am running 450 watt PSU in my system and it does its job fine. It shouldn't be to expensive either. What was the wattage of the old power supply?
     
    Evan Omo,
    #7
  9. 2009/01/07
    Arie

    Arie Administrator Administrator Staff

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    Moved to Hardware forum. This sounds like a hardware problem, not a Vista problem.
     
    Arie,
    #8

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