Computer couldn't startup anymore.

WhyteDragon · #1 (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 10:47 PM

I really need your help. All helps and advices will be greatly appreciated. These are the problems I am facing now. When I turned computer on: 1) nothing show up on my screen but computer is run. I checked my monitors and grahic card, I found nothing wrong. I turned it off for an hour. I turned it on again. I started to see those BIOS and CMOS information. 2) It took a long time to detect my hard drives. It found no drive. 3) CMOS checksum error - default load. I hit DEL key to setup my BIOS. I waited for 20 minutes. Nothing happen. I turned my computer off. Let it sits for another 30 minutes. I turn it back on. This time, it displayed memory, cd drives information, no hard drive detected. I hold DEL key while computer continues load CMOS checksum error - default load. 4) now my computer displayed another message said, "BIOS is not installed because no drive found." I turn off my computer, and turn on again. My screen totally black but computer is running. Nothing show up. I tried to restart my computer many time after but nothing happen. I replaced new graphic card. it displayed memory and cd drives information. No hard drives detected! CD-ROMs were not boot up. I hit DEL Key, not nothing happen. I exhausted and gave up!!! (Bad thing happens at the bad time - lost my job and currently unemploy). Does anyone know what's wrong? Your help will be really appreciate.
OS information: WinXP Pro SP2 (patches up to date), 1 GB RAM, 2 hdd, 2 cd-roms, 1.5 ghz , and AMD BIOS.

Dan Penny · #2 (**permalink**) 11-12-2007, 03:14 PM

"BIOS is not installed because no drive found."

How old, and what type (brand) of computer do you have? Compaq?

WhyteDragon · #3 (**permalink**) 11-12-2007, 08:32 PM

This is a customized computer. I built myself. 3 years old.

Dan Penny · #4 (**permalink**) 12-12-2007, 03:12 AM

What is the Make, Model Number, and Version of the motherboard?

WhyteDragon · #5 (**permalink**) 13-12-2007, 04:36 PM

This is all I can get by looking at the motherboard.

Gigabyte Technology, GA 8IPE775-G, ATX_12VKB_MS, ver. 1.0

WhyteDragon · #6 (**permalink**) 14-12-2007, 04:08 PM

I stripped everything off from the motherboard exception power connectors. All power connectors were disconnected from the all drives also. This is what I found. All my fans including CPU fan didn't work. I have to disconnect ATX 12V power connector from the motherboard in order for all fans to work. Is it bad motherboard or bad power supply unit?

Dan Penny · #7 (**permalink**) 16-12-2007, 05:31 PM

From the motherboard manual;

ATX_12V/ATX (Power Connector)
With the use of the power connector, the power supply can supply enough stable power to all the components on the motherboard. Before connecting the power connector, please make sure that all components and devices are properly installed. Align the power connector with its proper location on the motherboard and connect tightly.

The ATX_12V power connector mainly supplies power to the CPU. If the ATX_12V power connector is not connected, the system will not start.
Caution!
Please use a power supply that is able to handle the system voltage requirements. It is recommended that a power supply that can withstand high power consumption be used (300W or greater). If a power supply is used that does not provide the required power, the result can lead to
an unstable system or a system that is unable to start.

Also, on the very first page of the manual is;
When you installing AGP card, please make sure the following notice is fully understood and practiced. If your AGP card has "AGP 4X/8X (1.5V) notch" (show below), please make sure your AGP card is AGP 4X/8X (1.5V).

Caution: AGP 2X card is not supported by Intel 845(GE/PE) / 845(E/
G) / 850(E) / E7205 / 865(G/PE/P) / 875P. You might experience system
unable to boot up normally. Please insert an AGP 4X/8X card.

Example 1: Diamond Vipper V770 golden finger is compatible with 2X/4X mode AGP slot. It can be switched between AGP 2X(3.3V) or 4X(1.5V) mode by adjusting the jumper. The factory default for this card is 2X(3.3V). The GA-8IPE775 Series (or any AGP 4X/8X only) motherboards might not function properly, if you install this card without switching the jumper to 4X(1.5V) mode in it.

Example 2: Some ATi Rage 128 Pro graphics cards made by "Power Color",
the graphics card manufacturer & some SiS 305 cards, their golden finger
is compatible with 2X(3.3V)/4X(1.5V) mode AGP slot, but they support 2X
(3.3V) only. The GA-8IPE775 Series (or any AGP 4X/8X only) motherboards might not function properly, If you install this card in it.

Note : Although Gigabyte's AG32S(G) graphics card is based on ATi Rage
128 Pro chip, the design of AG32S(G) is compliance with AGP 4X(1.5V) ®
specification. Therefore, AG32S(G) will work fine with Intel 845(GE/PE) /
845(E/G) / 850(E) / E7205 / 865(G/PE/P) / 875P based motherboards. Before you install PCI cards, please remove the Dual BIOS label from PCI slots if there is one.

WhyteDragon · #8 (**permalink**) 20-12-2007, 04:27 PM

Thank you for those information. I will try that. If it doesn't work too then the motherboard must be bad. I did replace the old Power Supply Unit (300 watts) with a new Power Supply Unit with 430 Watts but still not working. I will give a try again. If it's not working then I will replace a new motherboard.

Thanks for all your great helps and suggestions

Dan Penny · #9 (**permalink**) 22-12-2007, 05:05 PM

You're welcome. Please post back with your results.

WhyteDragon · #10 (**permalink**) 29-12-2007, 12:31 AM

I tried all advices you gave to me, it didn't work. I bought 512 MB of RAM and a new motherboard that compatible to my old devices, and it works. I swapped back my old Power Supply Unit and it's working too. Now I know the motherboard is bad. I got my computer up and running now. Thank you very much for those huge information you gave me. It helps me diagnose my PC alot. I will keep those information in mind for next time.

Have a happy New Year, Dan.

This case can be close or lock now.