5 replies to this topic

[JEV3]

Last night I shut off my computer and all seemed to be normal, but this morning, when I started it, the cpu fan came on along with the LED behind the power button, but there was no clicking or crackling, and both monitors I had connected would not display anything. I tried shifting the video cables, tried taking out the video card and putting it back in its place, but it seems that if the computer is on, the monitors have no reason to believe that it is on. Furthermore, I would have expected to hear the normal clicking as it goes to the log-in page. Is this something that can be simply fixed, or should I be looking into finding a new computer and trying to save what I have on my hard drive.

I'm not sure how I'd go about getting a new computer if it came to that though, the one I had was already a hand-me-down and we are starting to run out of computers. Just after Christmas and with the financial situation we and the nation as a whole are in, getting a new one might be too expensive for me or my family. (I would like to, just once, get a computer that will last longer than 2 years)

EDIT: Updated topic title to reflect current problem...

Edited by JEV3, 29 January 2009 - 08:34 PM.

[Bart]

I'd try asking an expert to look at it. Costs money (unless you happen to know one), but it's cheaper than a new one.

[Beowulf]

First question: Are your monitors plugged into the power strip/UPS snugly and correctly?
Second question: Are the monitors turned on?

Stupid, I know but you'll be surprised at how often the simple solution will elude you.

[JEV3]

First question: Are your monitors plugged into the power strip/UPS snugly and correctly?
Second question: Are the monitors turned on?

Stupid, I know but you'll be surprised at how often the simple solution will elude you.

Yes for both, by selecting something in the display, I can get them to flicker momentarily before saying that they are going to sleep. Which is what is usual when the computer is turned off. However the computer should be running.

I'm pretty sure it has to be a simple solution, or otherwise something that can't be fixed. I just can't figure out what it is. I'm going to try replugging it again and maybe try a different monitor, although I'm pretty sure that is not where the problem is...

[JEV3]

I'm now looking for a new motherboard to replace my old one, which is most likely the problem. My computer was a GT5032 model with a Foxconn C51GU01 and considering the availability for the exact same motherboard is pretty poor, I'll settle for a similar one. I checked out the form factor of the mother board and it listed it as uBTX 4-layered. Now google, along with every other search engine I tried, has enough trouble finding just a BTX, but I don't know what the added specifics mean. (uBTX is a variant I assume, but it seems quite rare and I still need to know what 4-layered means)

Is there a way to find out if my case supports ATX as well as BTX? as that would really open up the possibilities.. Also what does 4-layered mean, will it make a difference if I just get a normal BTX (or some obscure uBTX I managed to find)? Also, if you are familiar with the model, perhaps you could recommend a motherboard that would not be a problem either in price-range or availability. (as in, I can actually get one within the next few weeks and I don't have to pay over 200 bucks)

[jnengland77]

uBTX stands for microBTX. Here's some. Looks like AMD boards are hard to come by though. Strange since I think AMD came up with BTX form factor.

I didn't noticed this topic earlier. I have one suggestion. If the powersupply on the back of the computer has it's own independant on/off switch turn it off. Shut off the power strip or uplug it from the wall (or both). Let it sit there for a moment, and then turn it back on. This worked for me once, when turning it on; the computer came on, but no screen or anything. Sounded fine, too ( no beeps ). And then it turned on with the screen. And make sure every cable is snug in their connecters.

Hope that helps.
~jnengland77