odd computer problem

M

mcrae

New Member
Problem: Computer appears to turn on, but audio/visual outputs dont appear to work

Backstory: My computer has been having problems ever since i installed windows 7, i think because of my old cpu, a p4 3.0ghz. It would either bluescreen then shutoff, randomly shutoff, or bluescreen then restart.

Now, whenever I turn it on, it turns on, all fans are working (including the one in grapics card) and it feels like hdds are working, however nothing appears on the monitor. Furthermore, I have my ps3 hooked up to the line in on my sound card, and no sound is coming out of the speakers either. I know the monitor isnt the problem because it displays the ps3 fine.

It was doing this off and on, and then i took out the videocard and put it back in, and now it does it non-stop. I would assume its the video card if not for the lack of sound, so I have no idea what is happening. Do I need to bring it in for an expert to look at it? :mad:

Thx
 
This really isn't all that odd among the computer world. One component can give out and cause the computer not to POST. The most typical and what I'm leaning towards with yours is the power supply. However, it also could be RAM, motherboard...well any component.

To start, remove whatever you can and see if you get anything from the system (RAM, drives from power/interface). With just the CPU remaining, if you try and power it, you SHOULD get a no RAM beep (BEEEEEP...BEEEEEP...etc). If you don't get this, try one stick of RAM and you should get the no video beep (BEEEEEP-BEEP-BEEP). If still nothing and you have another stick, swap out and try that stick. If you still don't hear anything, it's very likely you have a bad motherboard or power supply (that or your PC Speaker/Beeper is broken :P)
 
i found a video card that i could swap out, it was the one i used before this one, about 2 years ago. still nothing.

boot without vid card - nothing
boot without drives, soundcard, vid card, or ram (so just cpu)- nothing
boot with just cpu/ram - nothing

i have another supply i can test, except its a 550w whereas the other is a 700w, so it is underpowered for the entire computer. so if i hook up just the motherboard with cpu, and assuming the motherboard, cpu, and powersupply are good, i will hear some sort of beeps, right (assuming the onboard beeper is working like u said lol)

otherwise its either the motherboard or cpu?

ive been planning on upgrading my cpu/motherboard/ram for some time now... maybe this will force my hand lol
 
Assuming it's a "good" 550w it would be more than enough to power the computer, especially during POST. Seeing as nothing else worked, try the PSU. Be sure to connect any additional power connections required to the motherboard.

If still nothing, probably motherboard. It's pretty rare for a CPU to go out unless it cooks itself or something :P
 
Ok thanks for your help then.

Time to create a new thread asking advice on replacement components, lol.
 
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