Computer will not start

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

wrote in message
...
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.


What you described at the beginning sounded like a classic case of bad caps
in a PS and so changing the PS would be the first suggestion from at least
my view. Was the PS you installed (450 W) a known good PS?
Additionally what you're describing with the reset switch sounds odd.
Possibly there is a problem with the switch itself, but you can easily test
that by simply pulling off the two prong reset connector from the mb and try
restarting it. Additionally you could check the power switch by pulling off
the two prong connector (at the same connector block as the reset switch)
and carefully shorting the two prongs with the tip of a screwdriver to see
if the computer will then start.
--
Jan Alter

or


Thanks in advance for the help ... Michael

wrote in
:

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.

--
pcbldrNinetyEight

wrote in
:

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

I don't know if that case uses stand offs for the MOBO (I'm too lazy to
research now) but if one was left in the wrong place it could short out
on the back of the board and cause the problem you describe.

--
pcbldrNinetyEight

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



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.

--
pcbldrNinetyEight

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

On Jan 14, 8:59 pm, "Jan Alter" wrote:
wrote in message

...



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.

What you described at the beginning sounded like a classic case of bad caps
in a PS and so changing the PS would be the first suggestion from at least
my view. Was the PS you installed (450 W) a known good PS?
Additionally what you're describing with the reset switch sounds odd.
Possibly there is a problem with the switch itself, but you can easily test
that by simply pulling off the two prong reset connector from the mb and try
restarting it. Additionally you could check the power switch by pulling off
the two prong connector (at the same connector block as the reset switch)
and carefully shorting the two prongs with the tip of a screwdriver to see
if the computer will then start.
--
Jan Alter

or




Thanks in advance for the help ... Michael

I actually sent a message asking for suggestions from Altec and they
responded quickly. They suggested that I pull the start button cord
from the motherboard and replace it with the reset cord. I did and
the computer exhibited the same symptoms.... Michael

On Jan 14, 8:59 pm, "Jan Alter" wrote:
wrote in message

...



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.

What you described at the beginning sounded like a classic case of bad caps
in a PS and so changing the PS would be the first suggestion from at least
my view. Was the PS you installed (450 W) a known good PS?
Additionally what you're describing with the reset switch sounds odd.
Possibly there is a problem with the switch itself, but you can easily test
that by simply pulling off the two prong reset connector from the mb and try
restarting it. Additionally you could check the power switch by pulling off
the two prong connector (at the same connector block as the reset switch)
and carefully shorting the two prongs with the tip of a screwdriver to see
if the computer will then start.
--
Jan Alter

or




Thanks in advance for the help ... Michael

I actually tested the possiblilty of a bad start button. At the
suggestion of Altec I pulled the start button cord and replaced it
with the reset cord. The computer exhibited the same symptoms. That
did not solve the problem. ... Michael

wrote in
:

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

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.

--
pcbldrNinetyEight

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?

--
pcbldrNinetyEight

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



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

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.

--
pcbldrNinetyEight

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?

--
pcbldrNinetyEight

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

Thanks ...

wrote in
:

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

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

.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...make_list.aspx

Link to Foxconn 915M03 page:
http://www.foxconnchannel.com/produc...rview.aspx?ID=
en-us0000089

Link to manual:
http://www.foxconnchannel.com/suppor...D=en-us0001047
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

--
pcbldrNinetyEight