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On Jan 15, 4:42 pm, pcbldrNinetyEight pcbldrninetyeight.com wrote:
wrote

om:
On Jan 14, 11:37 pm, pcbldrNinetyEight pcbldrninetyeight.com
wrote:
wrote

s.c om:
On Jan 14, 9:44 pm, pcbldrNinetyEight pcbldrninetyeight.com
wrote:
wrote

ups .co m:

I did not build this computer ... but I am trying to fix it.
The computer is a custom build.

I have an Altec SLK1650 case. I am trying to track down a
problem. If I can get the computer to start the computer
works fine. When I press the button to start the computer it
will make the appropriate sounds but within 1 second the
computer dies. If I press the start button repeatedly it
will act like it is going to start for progressively longer
times until it finally it continues running. At this point
the operating system is not running but the fans are
running. I then push the reset button and then the computer
start starts normally. I replaced the power supply (350W)
with a 450W but that did not help. At this point the
computer will not start at all. If I hold the reset button in
and press the start button the computer will sound like it is
running but will not boot. When I release the reset button
the computer dies. Just wondering if it might have
something to do with the start or reset buttons. Any
suggestions will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance for the help ... Michael

You didn't describe the hardware. Make sure the CMOS jumper is
set properly.

I would assume that the CMOS jumper is set properly because the
machine has worked and nothing was changed.

I misunderstood. I was watching Tony Bourdain and making posts
during the commercials. In future I must do one or the other but
not both.

What other bits is this PC made of?

Thanks for the Reply ... the components a

Motherboard Foxconn 915M03
Intel P4 540 3.2GHZ (I think) the only numbers on it are 35505002
A2493
NVIDIA GeForce 6600 LE soundcard
ATX Ver 2.01 450W power supply
SATA Western Digital Hard Drive 200G
Altec SLK1650 case

You didn't specify what is ram type, maker, amount and number or
DIMM's?

If I understand correctly the PC worked properly for a time (possibly
a brief time) and now completely refuses to boot. May (or may not)
help me to know how many hours, days or months it functioned
properly.

I doubt the buttons are a problem but you may be able to remove the
front cover of the case and push the switches directly just in case
there's a mechanical problem with the front cover. IIRC the switches
are of the momentarily on type meaning that they complete a circuit
only for as long as you keep them depressed. You can unplug them and
test with a multimeter to verify if they are normally open when not
depressed and closed when depressed.

Read manual and verify that all power connections and case connectors
are correct.

The MOBO is in the discontinued list at
Foxconn:http://www.foxconnchannel.com/produc...ds/unmake_list
.aspx

Link to Foxconn 915M03
page:http://www.foxconnchannel.com/produc...detail_overvie
w.as... en-us0000089

Link to
manual:http://www.foxconnchannel.com/suppor...etail.aspx?ID=
en-us0... Read manual, determine what options are on MOBO. Reply back
with full model number including suffix.

Try each of the following steps one at a time booting after each step
(unplug power cord before removing/installing hardware or
jumpers)(use grounding strap and observe ESD precautions):
Remove all boards except VGA (disregard if VGA on MOBO). Then boot.
If multiple DIMM installed remove all but one. Then boot.
Put in one DIMM then boot.
Repeat step with each DIMM singly booting each time.
Unplug all but boot drive. Then boot.
Enter BIOS and choose Load Fail-Safe Defaults. Then boot.
Reset BIOS. Be very careful not to power up before placing CMOS
jumper in normal run position. Then boot.
Remove processor heat sink and look for thermal paste. If none found
then remove processor and inspect socket and processor for damage.
Apply paste as needed, reinstall heatsink/fan then boot.

Reply back with your results.

I am fighting a particularly pernicious problem of my own with a CD
burner that corrupted my backups so I may be slow to respond.

--
pcbldrNinetyEight

The computer has been working for a couple of years. This is a new
problem. I have not made any changes to the hardware recently. The
only thing that I have done recently is restore a saved image to the
boot drive. That worked fine for a few days. The symptoms came on
slowly. At first it only took a couple of tries to start the
machine. Later it took more tries. I then purchased the new PSU and
it booted on the second try. Now I can not start it at all.

I will test the memory as described but I am not sure how to work with
the BIOS particularly with the inability of starting the computer.

Thanks ... Michael

Press and hold down the delete key to enter BIOS immediately after powering
up the PC.

Does anything ever appear on the screen, if not can you swap out the VGA?
Can you swap out the monitor or try it on another PC to verify that it
works?

When the PC starts you should hear only one (faint) beep. If you hear more
than one beep then how many do you hear? If you hear multiple beeps let me
know before you proceed with the following steps.

Unplug the hard drive and do whatever you can to get the PC to turn on and
stay on. It won't boot but you may be able to enter the BIOS and set it to
fail-safe setting. In the manual I read that there are several settings
that can shut down the system therefore you need to set it to fail-safe.

As an extreme last resort to enter the BIOS I would leave the HD unplugged
and remove the processor and then power up the PC.
--
pcbldrNinetyEight