Computer Won't Post - Could it be the RAM?

[dr_ram]

Hello folks,

I've got a 3 year old HP tower that won't post. I thought I would ask you folks about the processes I'm using and get some feedback.

1) Turn on the computer: all fans are running, hard-disk clicks a few times then spins up, no beep (POST); fans continue to run, hard-drive continues to spin.

a. the hard drive light is on, the motherboard does not have a on-board LED.

2) Removed CMOS battery and changed the jumper to 'recovery' and restarted. No change. Reinstalled CMOS battery but left the jumper on 'recovery'.

2) Removed RAM and restarted. Got 2 long beeps followed by a short beep and a long beep. The short beep and long beep pattern continued to repeat. Everything else is the same.

3) Blew out the dust and reinstalled the ram. Computer successfully posted. One short beep.

The initial problem is that the computer does not send a video signal. After the computer successfully posted I plugged in a known good monitor, but it did not work.

4) Restarted again. This time is failed to post and did exactly the same thing as in the beginning.


Now what I hoped someone might be able to tell me, when I removed the ram and then restarted and then replaced it and restarted I got a successful post. Does this mean that the problem is with the RAM? After restarting again it did not post. Is it safe to restart with one or two RAM sticks in the machine instead of the complete four sticks?

Am I missing something and the problem could be something besides the RAM?


Sorry for the rambling. If there is anything that I failed to explain correctly please point it out and I will clarify it.

p.s. Haven't talked to you folks in a while, hope everyone is doing great.

THANKS!!!

 

[coffee]

Beep codes are specific to the motherboard in the computer. Cannot comment on that. I recommend that you lookup the diagnostic codes for that particular motherboard and atleast check them out. Im sure it will probably be a ram issue as you said you removed the ram and then booted it up - thus producing the error codes.

If you get the tower to bootup again run a memory test to be sure.

Try swapping out the video card and test the power supply.

Remove the hard drive and test the computer.

Refresh yourself on basic computer troubleshooting.

coffee

 

[dr_ram]

Thanks


I'm mostly a software guy but it's never to late to learn right?

I just tested it again. I removed all the RAM and then replaced it stick by stick and unfortunately this time I couldn't get it to post.




I'm a little confused as to why it will post, and then not post when I restart it. I can't seem to replicate my results.


EDIT: Taking the dog for a short walk while I smoke. I'll post specs in a minute when I'm back.

 

[Markverhyden]

Model? And not Pavilion 123. The HP model/part number on the serial sticker.

I'm guessing you have on-board video and it sounds like the chip may be toast. Do you have a separate video card to pop in?

 

[Kitten Kong]

I agree with Coffee. Bios beep codes are usually specific to the mobo manu. Therefore you would need to check which bios the board is using, ie ami, phoenix or award.

Remove the hard drive completely from the machine. Check if it has onboard graphics. If so, and the pc also has a pcie g card, remove the gcard, and test using the onboard.

Check the ram, swap it over if needed, same with the psu. The ram can be installed as single, restart, and test. If it works, remove ram, and try the other. If that works, then again try slot 2 etc, and carry on.

If you suspect the ram, then use memtest, for at least 6 passes to check for any deep rooted errors.

This is basic troubleshooting 101. It could even be a grounding problem, in which case you would have to remove the board from the case and test it on your bench.

Without more details of the model of the pc, there isnt much else we can help with.

 

[NYJimbo]

Is it safe to restart with one or two RAM sticks in the machine instead of the complete four sticks?

Have you ever had to deal with a ram issue before ?

 

[dr_ram]

Hey Mark thanks for replying. There is on-board video as well as a PCI expansion card.

When I plug the monitor into the on-board video the monitor wakes up and then says "monitor is going to sleep" and immediately goes back to sleep. When I plug the monitor into the expansion card it does absolutely nothing.

The specs are:

HPE-000
System #: BK173AA#ABA

Here is a link I found: http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...73AA_ABA_Pavilion_Elite_HPE_240f_Desktop.html

 

[16k_zx81]

Have you ever had to deal with a ram issue before ?

^ same thing occurred to me

Admittedly I read the thread title, and not the post, but, really?

[edit] as having a laugh about this with another tech, who said I should read the initial post.

I did. You appear to be missing some basic diagnostics in your approach

 

[dr_ram]

Have you ever had to deal with a ram issue before ?

I have in the past but it was as simple as remove the memory, clean the slot, replace the memory: fixed!!!


I know most people here are much better at hardware than I am. I'm the guy that can write a batch file like nobodies business but I've neglected my hardware studies.

Sorry for being a nOOb but if y'all had a n00b question about web design or perl or php I would gladly answer it so I hope it doesn't give anyone too much of a knee-jerk reaction that I'm unskilled in hardware testing.

 

[dr_ram]

What I said above ^^

^ same thing occurred to me

Admittedly I read the thread title, and not the post, but, really?

 

[dr_ram]

I did. You appear to be missing some basic diagnostics in your approach

What am I missing? Just trying to learn here. I don't mind ya'll having a laugh. Everyone has to start somewhere.


EDIT:

Taking the dog for another walk and smoke. When I get back I will try the things mentioned. If anyone has any additional input after seeing the specs I posted please post it. Thanks guy!

 

[NETWizz]

The problem is likely not RAM. I mean it could be, but it is most likely a bad motherboard or bad video card (if it has one).

1. Find out the make/model and look up beep codes. If it is an HP, look up any lights it may have on the back like that one that goes from 00 to FF on some models.

2. Post the model here, and also let me be the third person to say that beep codes differ depending upon model, and there are long and short beeps. Look up that beep code without RAM present vs no beep code at all and one beep.

3. Test the power supply with a basic tester, which does nothing more but check that all the voltages are correct under no load and that ALL the ATX connector wires are correct.

4. If the Power Supply passes, reconnect it back to the computer and try again. This time when ALL the fans ares pinning manually test the voltage with a volt meter. DO NOT put it on current testing as you will short your meter (possibly blowing the fuse) and possibly burn up the power supply. Really, you just need the voltage of each color to ground(black). Yellow is 12v, Red is 5v, and Orange is 3.3v while under load if everything is okay.

5. Make sure you have a new CMOS battery though they pretty much do nothing but run the clock in today's computers, anyway. Make sure you have the manual, too.

6. Disconnect ALL the drives: optical, hard drive, etc. Also pull out any expansion cards like video capture, modem, extra network cards, sound cards, etc. Disconnect any card readers, too.

7. If it has a video card, remove that, too if it also has integrated video. Otherwise leave it.

8. Connect proper grounded, AC power, a keyboard and a monitor (nothing else) DISCONNECT ANYTHING ELSE.

9. If it MUST have a video card present (i.e. no integrated video), an dit doesn't POST, try a different (known good) video card. If it is integrated video and doesn't POST at this time it is most likely a bad motherboard.

10. Clean everything, make sure the motherboard stand-offs are good and the board isn't shorting to the case. Make sure ALL the fans are spinning. Make sure the capacitors aren't bulging. (If you have any of these conditions fix them)

11. If you get to this point with no luck, try a different motherboard then re-assemble.

12. If it works properly, re-assemble one part at a time and re-test until you find the culprit (process of elimination).

 

[Markverhyden]

First, if there is a third party video card installed you should remove the card before testing with the built in video. Those cheap retail machines usually do not let you mix on board with add on.

Two, those Elites used cr@ppy motherboards so I would not be surprised if it was the motherboard.

Three - that is a MSI board. Here is a link discussing MSI codes.

 

[16k_zx81]

What am I missing? Just trying to learn here. I don't mind ya'll having a laugh. Everyone has to start somewhere.


EDIT:

Taking the dog for another walk and smoke. When I get back I will try the things mentioned. If anyone has any additional input after seeing the specs I posted please post it. Thanks guy!

Yes, everyone has to start somewhere. Its all good.

The best thing you could do IMHO is spend a half-day reading on basic PC diagnostics. Its the nuts&bolts stuff that you are missing here. Once you have that under your belt this sort of issue will be a lot easier and quicker for you to resolve.

Jim

 

[dr_ram]

All right guys.

I appreciate everyone chiming in and helping me diagnose this. I believe the PCI video card is fried (or perhaps just dirty.) I removed the PCI video card and the system booted fine with on-board video working perfectly.

I'm going to run some memory tests now.

I'll post back when I know more.

 

[codegreen]

There is on-board video as well as a PCI expansion card.

Others have posted some good advise on basic hardware troubleshooting, which you should follow. I just want to add that you should try pulling the expansion video card, hook the monitor up to the on-board port, and try booting. It could be as simple as a bad video card.

Is it safe to restart with one or two RAM sticks in the machine instead of the complete four sticks?

I don't think this question got answered. Yes, you can certainly put any number of sticks in. Putting in one stick at a time can be useful to determine if one bad stick is causing problems.

 

[dr_ram]

Thanks Code Green!

Yes it was a bad video card like some others mentioned. I pulled the PCI card and hooked up the onboard and it worked like a charm.


I just ran HP Diagnostic Tool to test the memory and disk and it came up 100%.


Is this something anyone else uses? Or should I not trust the HP diagnostic tool and download a different memory tester?

 

[Markverhyden]

The HP tool is ok. Personally I like Dell's more but it is built into the BIOS so you can't use it with another machine.

 

[codegreen]

Yes it was a bad video card like some others mentioned. I pulled the PCI card and hooked up the onboard and it worked like a charm.

Yeah, I see you posted about that just before I did.

Is this something anyone else uses? Or should I not trust the HP diagnostic tool and download a different memory tester?

I use Memtest+. It's on the Ultimate Boot CD, along with a variety of others.

 

[PC-MOT]

try getting similar to this below, very helpful:

http://www.amazon.com/Computer-Repa... troubleshooting flowcharts&tag=vglnkc5592-20