Computer Techie Question

LennonCook · 08-15-2003, 02:47 AM

What does it indicate when on boot a computer checks the memory, and then stops dead?

Faceman · 08-15-2003, 03:43 AM

probably bad memory although normally this would lead to not starting and giving you an according speaker beep sequence (codes can be found on your Mainboard manufacturer's page most likely)
There are basically four components that can be responsible for "PC not starting" (wrongly connected cables and stuff aside; just talking about hardware faults)

would be great help if you could tell us your configuration (which CPU, MB, RAM, VGA,...)

CPU - check for physical damage and try substitution if you have a spare
Mainboard - try monitoring the LEDs and beeps upon start up (open case of course)
RAM - if you have more than one stick try every one as a single. borrow a RAM stick from a friend to see of the problem lies here
VGA adapter - PC should still start but with no/faulty screen, try disconnecting VGA adapter -> you should get a warning beep sequence but machine should boot up fine.

keep in mind that a damaged CPU or Mainboard can result in a false voltage thus damaging/destroying up to all the other components (although mostly the CPU, RAM and Mainboard are affected)

Granamere · 08-15-2003, 08:07 AM

Is it making it all the way through the memory count or stopping in the middle? Also do you feel comfortable opening the computer and workning on it? If so unplug the computer. Ground youself.
Remove all the isa, pci and agp cards.
Remove the memory.
Unplug the hard drive, cd rom and floppy drive.
Now put one memory chip back in and the video card.
Try to boot.
How far did it get? You should get an error about no boot device.
Power down.
Now put in the floppy drive with a boot disk.
Try to boot.
Can you boot from it?
Power down.
Add in the rest of your memory chips and hard drive.
Try to boot.
How far did you get this time?
Power down.
Add in the rest of the cards.
Try to boot.

If everything is working now one of the cards was not seated that well in there if not post again about what is going on. Also make sure you feel comfortable doing this and make sure you are grounded.

Granamere

08-15-2003, 03:43 AM	#2
Faceman Hathor Join Date: February 18, 2002 Location: Vienna Age: 42 Posts: 2,248	probably bad memory although normally this would lead to not starting and giving you an according speaker beep sequence (codes can be found on your Mainboard manufacturer's page most likely) There are basically four components that can be responsible for "PC not starting" (wrongly connected cables and stuff aside; just talking about hardware faults) would be great help if you could tell us your configuration (which CPU, MB, RAM, VGA,...) CPU - check for physical damage and try substitution if you have a spare Mainboard - try monitoring the LEDs and beeps upon start up (open case of course) RAM - if you have more than one stick try every one as a single. borrow a RAM stick from a friend to see of the problem lies here VGA adapter - PC should still start but with no/faulty screen, try disconnecting VGA adapter -> you should get a warning beep sequence but machine should boot up fine. keep in mind that a damaged CPU or Mainboard can result in a false voltage thus damaging/destroying up to all the other components (although mostly the CPU, RAM and Mainboard are affected) __________________ \"I am forever spellbound by the frailty of life\"<br /><br /> Faceman

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08-15-2003, 02:47 AM	#1
LennonCook Jack Burton Join Date: November 10, 2001 Location: Bathurst & Orange, in constant flux Age: 37 Posts: 5,452	What does it indicate when on boot a computer checks the memory, and then stops dead?

08-15-2003, 08:07 AM	#3
Granamere Zhentarim Guard Join Date: May 27, 2001 Location: Charlotte, NC USA Age: 51 Posts: 372	Is it making it all the way through the memory count or stopping in the middle? Also do you feel comfortable opening the computer and workning on it? If so unplug the computer. Ground youself. Remove all the isa, pci and agp cards. Remove the memory. Unplug the hard drive, cd rom and floppy drive. Now put one memory chip back in and the video card. Try to boot. How far did it get? You should get an error about no boot device. Power down. Now put in the floppy drive with a boot disk. Try to boot. Can you boot from it? Power down. Add in the rest of your memory chips and hard drive. Try to boot. How far did you get this time? Power down. Add in the rest of the cards. Try to boot. If everything is working now one of the cards was not seated that well in there if not post again about what is going on. Also make sure you feel comfortable doing this and make sure you are grounded. Granamere

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