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PC Help pleaseeeeee
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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Ive a perfectly decent computer (only 2 years old) with one exception.. it wont start
The light comes on and the fan kicks in but i don't get the all important 'beeps'
HELPPPPPP |
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If a desktop PC with a nice case you can open, checking no leads have come undone is a good idea.
Unplug from mains first though, as even though off, the power supply will have mains in it.
Also some motherboards have LED's to help diagnose things, so with case open plug back in and see what sort of lights you get.
A common culprit is harddrive or graphics card slipping out of their slot. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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o.............k we could probably do with a bit more information 1st. is it a desktop or a laptop.i'm guessign laptop as most users now use laptops.have you tried botting laptop in safe mode?tap f8 as the laptop boots up then choose safe mode and see if it goes into windows.soemtimes laptops do wha tyours has doen when its been shut down during an update.report back if safe mode works or with a make and model number of laptop so you can factory reset  |
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Just dont take it to a computer repair place, as far too many will do the naughty on any pictures you have.
If you know a computer repair place who is also a swinger then maybe trust them, but not the spotty youths of most places. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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Its an Acer x3810 desktop
I can switch it on (lovely blue light flashes) and i can hear the fan but no 'beeps' - i used to hear 2 of them
Its all connected up to my monitor and it says 'no VGA input received' and then goes to sleep.
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By *ilandlarryCouple
over a year ago
more north lincs than mids! |
"Its an Acer x3810 desktop
I can switch it on (lovely blue light flashes) and i can hear the fan but no 'beeps' - i used to hear 2 of them
Its all connected up to my monitor and it says 'no VGA input received' and then goes to sleep.
"
that's what happens with my daughter's PC. Have no idea how to fix it tho  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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See if the machine will boot from a CD/DVD like the windows disk - from what you describe it sounds like a motherboard issue as it doesnt seem to be getting past the POST ( power on self test) it could also be a hard drive issue but normally it would say something like - no operating system installed as or system disk error if the hard drivewas buggered. Certainly looking very like a motherboard issue as it doesnt even seem to be getting far enough to check the drives - double check the ram istalled in the bottom slot isnt unseated - that might make the computer not even start up but normally the motherboard would give 4 or 5 beeps to show there is an error with the system memory... thats about all I can think of for now - hope it helps a little x |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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It could well be your motherboard that's fried. My daughter's lappy just done the exact same thing. Lights on but nobody at home. Feckin thing is less than a year old.  |
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"Ive a perfectly decent computer (only 2 years old) with one exception.. it wont start
The light comes on and the fan kicks in but i don't get the all important 'beeps'
HELPPPPPP"
. Could be psu. Power supply if no beeps. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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If you get lights and hear a fan then you have power. Simple physics there.
Have you bashed it, dropped it, nudged it while hoovering, looked at it in a funny way at all?
If not, then it's doubtful that something has worked itself loose. It's the fact that the pooter isn't booting up that suggests something major - like the motherboard. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Its an Acer x3810 desktop
"
Acer are known for this
I know its not much of a help - but if you ever get a new one don't go for acer.
Sandra xx
PS: Hope its not too costy to get it fixed xx |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Cant be PSU if LED's light and fan comes on - means the PSU is supplying to the main board as the fan has a supply from the main board - only time ive seen stuff like this before is either the cpu is dead or the board is - sorry thats not really good news but it does sound like its a more serious fault than a'good boot' will fix - although if its a loose connection on the board...you never know...lol |
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I am a PC tech but not in your area.
Yes you have power but you can't say if you have all the right power.
Turn the power off or remove the power lead, then take the side of the case off (2 screws or a quick release clip)
Find the Bios battery (flat watch type battery about the size of a 2p coin)
Remove the battery, then use something metal to short the two battery pins together.
Replace the battery then give it a go.
If that doesn't work its either a new Power Supply (about £20) or motherboard (more expensive) |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"If you get lights and hear a fan then you have power. Simple physics there.
Have you bashed it, dropped it, nudged it while hoovering, looked at it in a funny way at all?
If not, then it's doubtful that something has worked itself loose. It's the fact that the pooter isn't booting up that suggests something major - like the motherboard. "
i am begining to fear the worst.. just hope i don't get screwed over too much by pc engineers in a 'cowboy builder' style... i only went to test it because i wanted to sell it. If its gonna cost more to fix than the offer ive had from someone to buy it, i dont see the point |
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Before taking the thing to bits and running the risk of causing more damage and incurring additional expense, please - Try removing your breasts from any clothing and rubbing them gently across the keyboard. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Before taking the thing to bits and running the risk of causing more damage and incurring additional expense, please - Try removing your breasts from any clothing and rubbing them gently across the keyboard."
lmao sensual.. never known of breasts causing pc faults before but i will try it :D |
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Its not hard drive its graphics related. Its failing the post because there is no vga signal.
Take the side off the tower and look where the monitor lead plugs into the back of the tower.
Option 1. If it plugs into a card that is slotted into your motherboard then remove the lead and then take the screw out that holds the card to the cases chasis. Once this is out then take the card out of its slot in the motherboard (There maybe clips to release) make sure the contacts are clean and slot it back into place firmly. Replace screw, reconnect monitor lead and try a reboot on the pc.
If it fails and you do have a seperate graphics card you may get away with just replacing that. But I would recomend getting it checked out first to be sure it is the graphics card.
Option 2. If the monitor lead appears to plug directly into the motherboard then you have onboard graphics that have failed. It could potentially be a corrupted bios but more likely you board is knackered.
If you computer is knackered and you decide to get rid of it remove the hard drive before you dump it, do not let it out of your sight. People make a living out of rebuilding old computers by mixing bits from two or three and some will check whats on the hard drive before they format it  .
If you find someone that knows what they are doing you could also save things from that hard drive you may wish to keep.... |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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ok i to am pc tech and the above poster is right that havign it power on does not mean the power is outputting at full.now that you've added that you've had this problem in the past and a friend has fixed it by reseating the ram(memory).you could try reseating the memory yourself by takign the side of the case off notmally as you look at the frotn of the case it's the left hand side that comes off 2 screws on the back one top one bottom.then slide the side cover off.as you look@the motherboard youll see a long piece sat between two plastic ends.flick them back carefully and remove the ram then gentley push it back in until it clicks inplace and the ends snap shut.then replace the side put the power lead and vga lead in and try powering up.always be careful when messign with anything inside a pc they can be quite delicate
good luck |
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"Cant be PSU if LED's light and fan comes on - means the PSU is supplying to the main board as the fan has a supply from the main board - only time ive seen stuff like this before is either the cpu is dead or the board is - sorry thats not really good news but it does sound like its a more serious fault than a'good boot' will fix - although if its a loose connection on the board...you never know...lol"
Could be psu fan thats being heard not processor? |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Its not hard drive its graphics related. Its failing the post because there is no vga signal.
Take the side off the tower and look where the monitor lead plugs into the back of the tower.
Option 1. If it plugs into a card that is slotted into your motherboard then remove the lead and then take the screw out that holds the card to the cases chasis. Once this is out then take the card out of its slot in the motherboard (There maybe clips to release) make sure the contacts are clean and slot it back into place firmly. Replace screw, reconnect monitor lead and try a reboot on the pc.
If it fails and you do have a seperate graphics card you may get away with just replacing that. But I would recomend getting it checked out first to be sure it is the graphics card.
Option 2. If the monitor lead appears to plug directly into the motherboard then you have onboard graphics that have failed. It could potentially be a corrupted bios but more likely you board is knackered.
If you computer is knackered and you decide to get rid of it remove the hard drive before you dump it, do not let it out of your sight. People make a living out of rebuilding old computers by mixing bits from two or three and some will check whats on the hard drive before they format it .
If you find someone that knows what they are doing you could also save things from that hard drive you may wish to keep...."
The post would indicate if theres an issue with the graphics card as the mother board would beep about 6 times ( cant remember the actual number but there is an alarm in the POST for no graphics) but it does show how many different opinions on a fault there can be - I'm not 100% sure that the post would find a knackered card - just if theres no card present. However if it was just that the machine would continue to load the Operating system - thered just be no display. |
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"ok i to am pc tech and the above poster is right that havign it power on does not mean the power is outputting at full.now that you've added that you've had this problem in the past and a friend has fixed it by reseating the ram(memory).you could try reseating the memory yourself by takign the side of the case off notmally as you look at the frotn of the case it's the left hand side that comes off 2 screws on the back one top one bottom.then slide the side cover off.as you look@the motherboard youll see a long piece sat between two plastic ends.flick them back carefully and remove the ram then gentley push it back in until it clicks inplace and the ends snap shut.then replace the side put the power lead and vga lead in and try powering up.always be careful when messign with anything inside a pc they can be quite delicate
good luck"
If it were ram would the post beeps not indicate bad ram? |
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"Its not hard drive its graphics related. Its failing the post because there is no vga signal.
Take the side off the tower and look where the monitor lead plugs into the back of the tower.
Option 1. If it plugs into a card that is slotted into your motherboard then remove the lead and then take the screw out that holds the card to the cases chasis. Once this is out then take the card out of its slot in the motherboard (There maybe clips to release) make sure the contacts are clean and slot it back into place firmly. Replace screw, reconnect monitor lead and try a reboot on the pc.
If it fails and you do have a seperate graphics card you may get away with just replacing that. But I would recomend getting it checked out first to be sure it is the graphics card.
Option 2. If the monitor lead appears to plug directly into the motherboard then you have onboard graphics that have failed. It could potentially be a corrupted bios but more likely you board is knackered.
If you computer is knackered and you decide to get rid of it remove the hard drive before you dump it, do not let it out of your sight. People make a living out of rebuilding old computers by mixing bits from two or three and some will check whats on the hard drive before they format it .
If you find someone that knows what they are doing you could also save things from that hard drive you may wish to keep....
The post would indicate if theres an issue with the graphics card as the mother board would beep about 6 times ( cant remember the actual number but there is an alarm in the POST for no graphics) but it does show how many different opinions on a fault there can be - I'm not 100% sure that the post would find a knackered card - just if theres no card present. However if it was just that the machine would continue to load the Operating system - thered just be no display."
Hmm i see your point but it sounded to me like the monitor was going to sleep as it would do with no signal...
Maybe the tower is still trying to boot but failing on no graphics output? |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Cant be PSU if LED's light and fan comes on - means the PSU is supplying to the main board as the fan has a supply from the main board - only time ive seen stuff like this before is either the cpu is dead or the board is - sorry thats not really good news but it does sound like its a more serious fault than a'good boot' will fix - although if its a loose connection on the board...you never know...lol
Could be psu fan thats being heard not processor?"
Yup - could be - In cases like that i pour water into the power supply unit to shut that fan up while i listen to the one on the motherboard - then claim off the house insurance.......dont try that at home - im a trained professional..... |
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It could be the CMOS battery that has gone, it is worth changing it before you do anything else.
This is a small round battery that sits in a slot on the main board.
The part number is 3032 and don't buy it from a computer shop as you will be over charged, Tesco sells them for a couple of quid for two.
If this doesn't resolve the problem disconnect the hard drive and the optical drive, if there is on-board graphics as well as a separate graphic card take out the graphic card and connect the monitor to the on-board connection. If the machine starts (you see lines of text on a black background) connect each device one by one until it fails, that will be the problem component.
If you have more than one memory chip only have one fitted at a time whilst doing your diagnostics.
If you are taking out a graphic card there will be a small clip that needs to be moved to one side at the end of the card, the card will not come out unless you release this.
Hope this helps
Mikew |
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"Cant be PSU if LED's light and fan comes on - means the PSU is supplying to the main board as the fan has a supply from the main board - only time ive seen stuff like this before is either the cpu is dead or the board is - sorry thats not really good news but it does sound like its a more serious fault than a'good boot' will fix - although if its a loose connection on the board...you never know...lol
Could be psu fan thats being heard not processor?
Yup - could be - In cases like that i pour water into the power supply unit to shut that fan up while i listen to the one on the motherboard - then claim off the house insurance.......dont try that at home - im a trained professional....."
Terrible when that happens! Course it would only happen with the power off... Damn drinks get spilt everywhere...  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Its not hard drive its graphics related. Its failing the post because there is no vga signal.
Take the side off the tower and look where the monitor lead plugs into the back of the tower.
Option 1. If it plugs into a card that is slotted into your motherboard then remove the lead and then take the screw out that holds the card to the cases chasis. Once this is out then take the card out of its slot in the motherboard (There maybe clips to release) make sure the contacts are clean and slot it back into place firmly. Replace screw, reconnect monitor lead and try a reboot on the pc.
If it fails and you do have a seperate graphics card you may get away with just replacing that. But I would recomend getting it checked out first to be sure it is the graphics card.
Option 2. If the monitor lead appears to plug directly into the motherboard then you have onboard graphics that have failed. It could potentially be a corrupted bios but more likely you board is knackered.
If you computer is knackered and you decide to get rid of it remove the hard drive before you dump it, do not let it out of your sight. People make a living out of rebuilding old computers by mixing bits from two or three and some will check whats on the hard drive before they format it .
If you find someone that knows what they are doing you could also save things from that hard drive you may wish to keep....
The post would indicate if theres an issue with the graphics card as the mother board would beep about 6 times ( cant remember the actual number but there is an alarm in the POST for no graphics) but it does show how many different opinions on a fault there can be - I'm not 100% sure that the post would find a knackered card - just if theres no card present. However if it was just that the machine would continue to load the Operating system - thered just be no display.
Hmm i see your point but it sounded to me like the monitor was going to sleep as it would do with no signal...
Maybe the tower is still trying to boot but failing on no graphics output?"
I'm not sure that after the POST is passed that there is another graphics hardware check until the Operating system is loaded ( I am rusty so not 100% as I now concentrate on Mac OSX) Its always easier to diagnose when you have hands on the machine or the user on the end of a phone line - but from what the original poster said about a light and a fan then no further activity i think id hedge at a motherboard related fault - even if its badly seated memory ( there should be some audible beeps for that) or the Processor has died - or the board is faulty - both cases there would be no beeps as the POST isnt being reached. Like i said I am rusty but thats the best I can guess at from what the poster said. Good to know theres a few techies on here!! |
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"i`d call a tech sassy or a tech friend and have them get their hands on it.
all this being posted must be a headache "
Thats true now we have totally confused you lol.
It is always easier when a tech has hands on as in most things |
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By *umourCouple
over a year ago
Rushden |
Cute... FIRST THING.. (that no one has yet put! Even the tech heads!)
Before you even venture your hands inside the case of any electronic equipment, you MUST make sure you are earthed so as not to overload and therefore blow any componants with static electricity!
If you are not getting the splash screen (it says Acer on your machine) before just sitting there, it may be a corrupt bios or as someone else said, try the button battery as a very cheap fix.
If you are getting the splash screen, do you get the information screen? (Ahh! I remember now, "not getting far enough to F8") I am no tech but if this is the case, I would say that it is "knowitallnontech" fucked! You need to actually get someone to do it for you. But I'll bet they will charge a bit for that! |
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"thank you all for your advice and tips, but after a wonderful 11min phone call and a screwdriver its all fixed and working
thanks once again xxx"
You can't post that without telling us what it was! lol |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Sassy I am going to keep this post in the I cant sleep folder cos I didnt understand 1 bit of it far to teckno for me but great for boring me to sleep thank you
Glad its all fixed now though x |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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For the record........I spoke to the OP on the phone and fixed the problem by basically sorting a poor connection on the BIOS battery. A problem I've seen hundreds of times before.
For the techies who suggested various problems (motherboard u/s, graphics u/s etc. etc. ) the clue is that the power supply was working, but there were no BIOS "beeps" at all, plus no other output and the hardisks were not spinning up. There is no BIOS POST check if the bios is unpowered and there is no electrical function on the PC further than the power supply. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"thank you all for your advice and tips, but after a wonderful 11min phone call and a screwdriver its all fixed and working
thanks once again xxx
You can't post that without telling us what it was! lol"
Yeah! C'mon.. spill it wumun!!  |
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"For the record........I spoke to the OP on the phone and fixed the problem by basically sorting a poor connection on the BIOS battery. A problem I've seen hundreds of times before.
For the techies who suggested various problems (motherboard u/s, graphics u/s etc. etc. ) the clue is that the power supply was working, but there were no BIOS "beeps" at all, plus no other output and the hardisks were not spinning up. There is no BIOS POST check if the bios is unpowered and there is no electrical function on the PC further than the power supply."
 Makes ense when you think about it lol. Nice one glad its sorted. |
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"For the record........I spoke to the OP on the phone and fixed the problem by basically sorting a poor connection on the BIOS battery. A problem I've seen hundreds of times before.
For the techies who suggested various problems (motherboard u/s, graphics u/s etc. etc. ) the clue is that the power supply was working, but there were no BIOS "beeps" at all, plus no other output and the hardisks were not spinning up. There is no BIOS POST check if the bios is unpowered and there is no electrical function on the PC further than the power supply."
I think it perfectly reasonable that you should demand a shag from the OP for such brilliant advice. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"For the record........I spoke to the OP on the phone and fixed the problem by basically sorting a poor connection on the BIOS battery. A problem I've seen hundreds of times before.
For the techies who suggested various problems (motherboard u/s, graphics u/s etc. etc. ) the clue is that the power supply was working, but there were no BIOS "beeps" at all, plus no other output and the hardisks were not spinning up. There is no BIOS POST check if the bios is unpowered and there is no electrical function on the PC further than the power supply."
This may well be the problem with my daughter's lappy then. It puts lights on underneath the screen but that's it, nothing else. It's a cheap Mio laptop I bought from TJ Hughes and if she got two years out of it then that was a bonus. She got 7 months before it died.
Short the connections out where the battery sits huh? |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Wishy......
Nooooooo........the laptop battery is most certainly NOT the BIOS battery. Shorting out the battery connections are only likely to cause a bloody big bang! Not recommended!
Laptop BIOS setups vary quite a bit, not as easy as a desktop machine to diagnose "blind", but for the record, if ALL the indicator lights are coming on, it's likely to be something else entirely. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Wishy......
Nooooooo........the laptop battery is most certainly NOT the BIOS battery. Shorting out the battery connections are only likely to cause a bloody big bang! Not recommended!
Laptop BIOS setups vary quite a bit, not as easy as a desktop machine to diagnose "blind", but for the record, if ALL the indicator lights are coming on, it's likely to be something else entirely."
The shop up the road said the motherboard was fried. Dunno how they got the thing open though cos I couldn't - and I got lots of screwdrivers, all sorts of sizes n stuff. |
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By *umourCouple
over a year ago
Rushden |
"On the phone, Sassy went from panic to laughter!
That worked for me!"
You know what? That is one of the nicest posts I have read on here in a very long time. Well done to you and thanks for the help to one of our own..
 |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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A lot of laptops have "hidden" screws inside the battery casing, inside the memory hatch (if there is one) and often the screws aren't screws, but little "star" bolts or other variations. Also the motherboard can have one or MORE "shields" over it that have to be removed. Once spent over three hours disassembling an unfamiliar laptop, a job which I can do with a desktop in around 5 to 7 minutes if I'm in the right mood! |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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oh wishy i hope your daughters lappy is easy to fix, im so proud of myself for venturing into a PC, its something i've always avoided and just paid out loads of money for..
Massive thanks to Dave for the help and talking me through it :D |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"They probably had a bigger hammer than you."
Nah, they didn't use a hammer cos all the keys are still there. I'd have known. £40 to be told it's fooked is a bit much though. The credit card company have told us to get all our receipts etc (for the purchase and the attempted repair) and they'll sort it out. Now, if I can fix the lappy on the cheap I'll get me money back AND have a laptop that works! |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"On the phone, Sassy went from panic to laughter!
That worked for me!
You know what? That is one of the nicest posts I have read on here in a very long time. Well done to you and thanks for the help to one of our own..
"
Rumour he was truly lovely and patient with me, i was a little worried and thought 'he just wants my number' but im so glad i was pr
oved wrong! xx |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"A lot of laptops have "hidden" screws inside the battery casing, inside the memory hatch (if there is one) and often the screws aren't screws, but little "star" bolts or other variations. Also the motherboard can have one or MORE "shields" over it that have to be removed. Once spent over three hours disassembling an unfamiliar laptop, a job which I can do with a desktop in around 5 to 7 minutes if I'm in the right mood!"
We have a tower pc too and I've been in an out of that loads of times. This laptop has me stumped though. I took five screws out the back of it but it still won't fall apart. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"For the record........I spoke to the OP on the phone and fixed the problem "
well done for sorting that out!
good to see that there some great peeps on here! |
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don't think you'll get away without taking it to an expert 