Computer Won't Post

Darren

Darren

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Specs are in sig of my computer. Essentially my computer was dropped by somebody else from a height of roughly a foot or so. On to what side and what surface I don't know yet. Anyway I have a few problems. The GPU cooler has broken from this fall. It has 4 screws (2 on top and bottom each). Only one of these still works and the cooler is barely hanging on. These screws are about as thick as pencil lead. Further more the little clip at the end of my PCI Express Lane has snapped off. I don't think this is an issue but still of note.

Now the main problem. I get no video signal as well as no POST. All 4 of my motherboard CPU Phase lights are on and it's in Phase 4. Not sure what that means and mobo guide tells me nothing of use. Everything appears to function except I get no post beep and no video signal whatsoever. (Note: My monitor does detect being plugged in to the computer but doesn't get any signal. Just black).

What I've tried.

Trying both PCI E slots. Reseated video card numerous times in both. Cleared CMOS. Tried everything I can think of. Computer worked fine before it was taken away then dropped.. but now... not so much. Also it supposedly has been tried with a different video card with no success but I wasn't there for that and that's all I know of it.

I'm convinced it's my video card or possibly my motherboard? Any ideas.

Also everything spins up and powers on including the GPU, just get no video signal or POST. This is on my setup that's been working since September of 2011. Something is wrong with the tower.


Edit: Things I plan to try. Out of case test with just mobo, RAM, and CPU. Check my friends 7870 in my mobo and my 7850 in his. I built that for him so I know it works fine. I'd prefer not mess with the RAM as I think that's probably the least likely cause and it's jammed under my CPU Cooler and I'd have to take the whole cooler off, which is a huge hassle.


Thanks for any help.

PS: Yes Jason, I read the sticky.
 
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It possibly the motherboard might have a crack in it around the video card slot. And I would be really pissed at the person for dropping it.
 
Tried my super old 8400GS in a regular PCI slot and it didn't fire up then either. I think it's a motherboard issue. Also the GPU cooler isn't quite as bad as I thought. Only one of the screws is truly broken. Another I have floating around and 2 are working correctly. Pretty sure my GPU is fine.

Next step is out of case test. Motherboard looks fine... no cracks or anything.
 
Out of case still yielded no Post and video. Going to check my video card in friends tomorrow and vice versa. Almost positive it's my motherboard. Any ways to check if a motherboard is functioning besides booting it? :D

I also reseated 3 of my 4 sticks of RAM. 4th is wedged under the 212+ and not accessible without removing the cooler.
 
I agree with bigfella. Remove all components and slowly add them and see how you go. Try different RAM configurations, reseating the CPU, using on board GPU (if applicable), even testing HDD and disk drives.

I had a similar problem a few month back when my graphics card was slightly misplaced, it would just hold before post and go no further.

Would love to know how you get on with this
 
Nope. It doesn't. I'm gonna do more testing tonight with a friend's computer. My guess is it's the motherboard or possibly the PSU. I doubt it's either the CPU or RAM. Computer should post with only Motherboard, CPU, and RAM. And it's not. So it's one of those three or the PSU. PSU should be okay. It spins up my fans (6 case fans, 2 on GPU, PSU fan, and CPU.) HDD also spins up as well.
 
Yep I think your board is damaged. I wouldn't be at all surprised if it is, especially if it was dropped with your CPU cooler attached.
 
Yeah it was.... Could the CPU be damaged in anyway? It's clamped in there pretty tightly with the cooler on top. RAM is very secure too. I've looked over the motherboard for signs of damage but none that I can see. It was dropped about a foot on to the ground. Was being held by the front panel casing unaware that it was removable. Panel popped off and the computer fell. I'll see what tests yield tonight. I'm hoping it's the motherboard as it's the cheapest to replace. Well RAM I guess too but I doubt all 4 of my RAM sticks are dead.
 
I would kind of doubt your CPU is damaged, more likely the board is damaged.

Is the case damaged in any way?
 
No case is fine. I just realized though. Getting a new motherboard means a new OS... Which is expensive.
 
Denther said:
No case is fine. I just realized though. Getting a new motherboard means a new OS... Which is expensive.
Click to expand...
Not if you can find (get) the same motherboard. You have system builders OS then. Retail OS wouldn't matter.
Google the motherboard to see if you can get one.
 
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AlienMenace said:
Not if you can find (get) the same motherboard. You have system builders OS then. Retail OS wouldn't matter.
Google the motherboard to see if you can get one.
Click to expand...

I can't imagine it's tied to the motherboard model number itself. The mobo that I have is no longer for sale but I'm probably gonna end up getting the 970A - G46 when I have the G45 model. I've also heard it is possible to call microsoft and get your key transferred on to a new computer. Shrug. We'll see. I'm not too concerned about me needing a new OS after doing some research.
 
Denther said:
I can't imagine it's tied to the motherboard model number itself. The mobo that I have is no longer for sale but I'm probably gonna end up getting the 970A - G46 when I have the G45 model. I've also heard it is possible to call microsoft and get your key transferred on to a new computer. Shrug. We'll see. I'm not too concerned about me needing a new OS after doing some research.
Click to expand...
You can make the call to MS and tell them what happened, they might make the change then. After googling your mb, there are some out there.
 
If all your doing is going from g45 to the g46 then both have the same chipset and you should be fine reinstalling with the same key. It's when the chipset is different that you need to be concerned with.
 
Oh okay. Does that mean I can literally just swap mobos and not even worry about reinstalling Windows or anything? Because that would be stupidly simple to do but would be oh so nice to not have to reinstall Windows and my half terabyte of data.

Oh and an update.

I tested with a friends computer using his PSU. Still no boot. So my PSU is fine as expected. Also tried all of my RAM sticks in his computer and it posted with each. I didn't test the graphics card and felt no need. I've eliminated RAM and PSU being an issue. So it's down to CPU or Mobo.

Am I right in saying I can Post without a GPU installed? Also I've never heard any beep codes ever. I always just get a Post beep and that's it (assuming it posts).

I pulled off the 212+ by unscrewing it and pulled it off. Now when it came off the CPU was essentially glued on with the thermal paste. This was good so I won't have to redo thermal paste assuming it stays put. Now here's the problem. When I pulled it off the CPU clamp was still down to keep it in place but the CPU came right off anyway. I opened up the mechanism and it still works fine. I carefully inspected the CPU and it has no bent pins or anything like that. Looks completely normal. The fact that it popped out with the clamp down is of note though.

So I'm 98% sure it's motherboard.
 
I pulled a cpu out that way also, I had no problem with it. But putting it back in with the cooler might be a different story.
 
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