Computers Before I take my desktop for repair... - Page 3

Archie F. Swin · 11-18-2013, 10:43 AM

The story from my wife is that my son powered down our Dell studio desktop (using the power button)and it simply won't power up.

Any troubleshooting techniques I can use before I take it to a shop?

Mr. Laz · 12-02-2013, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by durtyrute

Hey fellas I need some cp help with my home build. The other day I went to turn it on and the fans and lights come on, but the screen is blank, and neither the mouse or the keyboard light up. I checked the mouse and keyboard with my old computer and they are fine. The monitor says its not getting any input, so I believe it is fine as well. I just built this about six months ago, is it possible that the motherboard is bad already? Is there a way to check without taking the whole thing apart?

PLEASE HEEEEEELLLLLP!!!

couple things

turn everything off, including main power switch on PSU and then unplug hard drive from Mobo. Try starting it up without a hard drive connected and see if it will go into the setup program(F10 or F1 button usually. It says it on screen during bootup).

That will eliminate the hard drive and software possibilities.

another thing

turn everything off again, pull mobo battery(looks like a watch battery)

Then hit the reset button on the mobo. Sometimes it a jumper switch. This will reset all the CPU and memory speed settings in case something got messed up.

put battery back and plug everything in and try to start it up

**hometeam** · 12-02-2013, 06:07 PM

If its a hard drive it should still POST though.

durtyrute · 12-02-2013, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

couple things

turn everything off, including main power switch on PSU and then unplug hard drive from Mobo. Try starting it up without a hard drive connected and see if it will go into the setup program(F10 or F1 button usually. It says it on screen during bootup).

That will eliminate the hard drive and software possibilities.

another thing

turn everything off again, pull mobo battery(looks like a watch battery)

Then hit the reset button on the mobo. Sometimes it a jumper switch. This will reset all the CPU and memory speed settings in case something got messed up.

put battery back and plug everything in and try to start it up

I did that and it went to the boot screen. I have two hard drives one is a SSD. It only went to that screen with both of them unplugged. Am I going to lose all my shit?

Mr. Laz · 12-03-2013, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by durtyrute

I did that and it went to the boot screen. I have two hard drives one is a SSD. It only went to that screen with both of them unplugged. Am I going to lose all my shit?

so it started up without the hard drive? Did you make it into the Bios?

If so then it's either Hard drive mechanical failure or software corruption.

I supposed it could be bad memory that fails when it starts loading up windows.

Do you have an old hard drive you can stick in there to test it out?

You might also try putting the OS disk(windows?) into the DVD player and starting it up like that. Make sure the DVD player is the 1st boot option.

ModSocks · 12-03-2013, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

couple things

turn everything off, including main power switch on PSU and then unplug hard drive from Mobo. Try starting it up without a hard drive connected and see if it will go into the setup program(F10 or F1 button usually. It says it on screen during bootup).

That will eliminate the hard drive and software possibilities.

another thing

turn everything off again, pull mobo battery(looks like a watch battery)

Then hit the reset button on the mobo. Sometimes it a jumper switch. This will reset all the CPU and memory speed settings in case something got messed up.

put battery back and plug everything in and try to start it up

I wouldn't recommend a novice to **** around with jumpers unless he's going to take the time to read the manual for his mobo.

I did that once.....fried the mobo.....learned the hard way.

Mr. Laz · 12-03-2013, 01:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Detoxing

I wouldn't recommend a novice to **** around with jumpers unless he's going to take the time to read the manual for his mobo.

I did that once.....fried the mobo.....learned the hard way.

I don't know how much he understands or is familiar with ... just giving him suggestions.

If he doesn't understand then he should limit his choices.

durtyrute · 12-03-2013, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

I don't know how much he understands or is familiar with ... just giving him suggestions.

If he doesn't understand then he should limit his choices.

I don't know anything about jumpers or any of that. I unplugged both harddrives and it went to the bios. The other computer I have is super duper old and the connections are not the same so I can't test with it.

I'll try using the dvd drive to boot it. I have class tonight so I can't do it until later on, but I will and I will keep you up to date.

Thank you very much for your help

**srvy** · 12-03-2013, 01:43 PM

Ive had similar to that problem before both times was caused by a bum windows update.

If you have a Windows repair or startup disk pop it in and reboot thru dvd drive you may have to f10 into bios and set to boot cd 1st. then reboot and let windows repair load and select repair startup. Let it do its thing if it in the end asks you to roll back to a time it last worked and you dont want do that reboot again. Then F 8 as it starts up see if you can get into a safe mode boot up with networking. Go to control panel delete software select show windows updates. Remove any win updates that may have occurred on the day that you lost computing. Then run your virus scanner and also use a good Malware remover such as Malwarebytes its fee. Then try and reboot.

Also if its HDMI check the cable to see if its slipped out or better yet change it out with a known working cable

Also, I failed to mention on all your reboots dc the power for a minute or so .

durtyrute · 12-03-2013, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srvy

Ive had similar to that problem before both times was caused by a bum windows update.

If you have a Windows repair or startup disk pop it in and reboot thru dvd drive you may have to f10 into bios and set to boot cd 1st. then reboot and let windows repair load and select repair startup. Let it do its thing if it in the end asks you to roll back to a time it last worked and you dont want do that reboot again. Then F 8 as it starts up see if you can get into a safe mode boot up with networking. Go to control panel delete software select show windows updates. Remove any win updates that may have occurred on the day that you lost computing. Then run your virus scanner and also use a good Malware remover such as Malwarebytes its fee. Then try and reboot.

Also if its HDMI check the cable to see if its slipped out or better yet change it out with a known working cable

Also, I failed to mention on all your reboots dc the power for a minute or so .

I will try that also, thank you.

Edit: I just remembered seeing an update right before I powered down last time. I will check both recommendations tonight. Thank you guys again

Mr. Laz · 12-03-2013, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by durtyrute

I don't know anything about jumpers or any of that. I unplugged both harddrives and it went to the bios. The other computer I have is super duper old and the connections are not the same so I can't test with it.

I'll try using the dvd drive to boot it. I have class tonight so I can't do it until later on, but I will and I will keep you up to date.

Thank you very much for your help

sure ... just trying to find out whether it's Hardware or Software problem.

It's good that it boots to bios

**loochy** · 12-03-2013, 03:27 PM

Does the computer beep at all when you turn it on?

Many times the number, frequency, and length of the beeps are codes for certain types of errors.

durtyrute · 12-03-2013, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by loochy

Does the computer beep at all when you turn it on?

Many times the number, frequency, and length of the beeps are codes for certain types of errors.

No beeps

durtyrute · 12-03-2013, 10:59 PM

I put the boot disk in and started the repair, but then I realized I didn't plug in the hard drive. Then I plugged in the hard drive, but it wouldn't let me do the repair just the install. I chose install and it went a few screens then said i need to restart without the disc. I did that and it started working!! I went and got malwarebytes and it picked up a couple threats. I tried to unistall the updates but nothing happened.

Thank you guys so much for helping me with this. I'm not sure how it just started working, but thank you. I'm running a full scan now before bed.

Thanks again

**srvy** · 12-04-2013, 12:08 AM

Happy to hear that whatever ya did fixed it.

durtyrute · 12-04-2013, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srvy

Happy to hear that whatever ya did fixed it.

Thank you, you guys are nothing short of awesome.

11-18-2013, 10:43 AM
Archie F. Swin This is the way Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Wichita Falls, Texas Casino cash: $9975673	Before I take my desktop for repair... The story from my wife is that my son powered down our Dell studio desktop (using the power button)and it simply won't power up. Any troubleshooting techniques I can use before I take it to a shop?
Posts: 11,800

12-02-2013, 06:07 PM	#32
hometeam Supporter Join Date: Jul 2011 Casino cash: $4121956	If its a hard drive it should still POST though.
Posts: 10,644

12-03-2013, 01:43 PM	#38
srvy Fight, build, win! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: KC Casino cash: $1671250	Ive had similar to that problem before both times was caused by a bum windows update. If you have a Windows repair or startup disk pop it in and reboot thru dvd drive you may have to f10 into bios and set to boot cd 1st. then reboot and let windows repair load and select repair startup. Let it do its thing if it in the end asks you to roll back to a time it last worked and you dont want do that reboot again. Then F 8 as it starts up see if you can get into a safe mode boot up with networking. Go to control panel delete software select show windows updates. Remove any win updates that may have occurred on the day that you lost computing. Then run your virus scanner and also use a good Malware remover such as Malwarebytes its fee. Then try and reboot. Also if its HDMI check the cable to see if its slipped out or better yet change it out with a known working cable Also, I failed to mention on all your reboots dc the power for a minute or so .
Posts: 24,359

12-03-2013, 03:27 PM	#41
loochy Hey Loochy, I'm hooome! Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: PooPooKaKaPeePeeShire Casino cash: $2140752	Does the computer beep at all when you turn it on? Many times the number, frequency, and length of the beeps are codes for certain types of errors. __________________ Hey Loochy, I'm hoooome!
Posts: 40,462

12-03-2013, 10:59 PM	#43
durtyrute MVP Join Date: Mar 2011 Casino cash: $8266085	I put the boot disk in and started the repair, but then I realized I didn't plug in the hard drive. Then I plugged in the hard drive, but it wouldn't let me do the repair just the install. I chose install and it went a few screens then said i need to restart without the disc. I did that and it started working!! I went and got malwarebytes and it picked up a couple threats. I tried to unistall the updates but nothing happened. Thank you guys so much for helping me with this. I'm not sure how it just started working, but thank you. I'm running a full scan now before bed. Thanks again
Posts: 5,831

12-04-2013, 12:08 AM	#44
srvy Fight, build, win! Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: KC Casino cash: $1671250	Happy to hear that whatever ya did fixed it.
Posts: 24,359