Guess my old desktop has finally died. Despite recently fitting an SSD to it in an attempt to keep it reasonably up to date.
Yesterday, it booted OK, but failed to make the normal internet connection. Couldn't get into the 'Network' section to try fault finding, so re-booted. And now only shows the BIOS start up picture. Won't even go into BIOS setup - although it says it is trying.
Disconnect all disks, usb peripherals, take out the RAM, make sure a speaker/piezo is attached to the motherboard - do you get a pattern of beeps? Search for that pattern combined with the motherboard model. Do you have a POST-card?
Presume you would have noticed stalled fans or fluffed-up heat sinks at that point?
There's a procedure to follow before pronouncing the last rites - disconnect everything, reset RAM, reset CMOS settings.
Reset RAM - I mean take it out and push it back in again.
Many older motherboards have a lithium coin cell battery fitted in a battery holder. If this is the case check the battery first.
What they said... also if it has an internal USB card reader fitted, try disconnecting that before rebooting. I have seen those stop a machine booting too many times!
Never mind an internal one - my external USB card reader stops my machine from booting if it's plugged in.
Blown capacitors on the motherboard?
I had an old MB that took over a minute to get past the BIOS when a logitech webcam was plugged in.
Itd ethernet went faulty as well, so I got this shiny new MP, RAM and an SSD for a couple of hundred. Case is the same, still has its original XP home license from its original owner on it from 10 years ago...
Or maybe PSU.
Could be. What is the motherboard and when was it manufactured?
Connectors, Power supply ram. Brian
Also check the bios battery. AMD chipsets tend not to like this battery being dead I have a feeling. Brian
The thing is its going to be almost anything. I do feel though that if its powered up as far as the bios its not going to be the processor. My feeling is cables most of the time. Brian
The PC seems to freeze just after it the BIOS puts up the logo but, as Dave omits it, not as far as the BIOS's POST.
Sounds like it could be a hardware fault. Perhaps the motherboard itself although someone mentioned it could be the PSU.
With a very old machine, it may not be worth trying too hard.
I'm usually out of touch with the cost of PCs, so I was surprised to see how cheap second hand PCs are.
My local PC shop sells a recondiitoned desktop system unit with a legit Win 7 licence for about ?70 to ?80. Presumably some of that price is for VAT.
My PC man gives them to me free sometinmes other times at that price.
They have licenses, but dont use em
In message , pamela writes
There is a free to good home XP desktop taking up space in our hall.
Central London is about 1 hour away depending on traffic.
>Have something to add? Share your thoughts — no account required.
Ask the community — no account required