serious computer problem

[Bobula]

All of a sudden my PC isn't working. It wont even show a boot screen and been for 15-20 seconds then shuts off. Any idea where to start?

[bigmike82]

Power supply or heat, maybe. Is the CPU fan spinning?

Is it a desktop or laptop?

Any beeps prior to it turning off?

[skale240]

try to unplug the power cable from the back. if it's a laptop, unplug the ac adaptor and take the battery out. let it sit for about 10-15 minutes then plug the power cord back in. If it's a laptop only plug the ac adaptor in, do not reinsert the battery.

[five.five-six]

All of a sudden my PC isn't working. It wont even show a boot screen and been for 15-20 seconds then shuts off. Any idea where to start?

hmm, how did you make this post?


how old is it? have you checked the litttle battery that looks like a quarter?

[Bobula]

It's a tower style PC. I have a netbook, laptop and blackberry for alternate internet.

It beeps continuously on/off for about 20 seconds stops for 5 seconds then beeps again. All fans and lights are on, except there's 5 solid lights instead of the 1 or 2 on the mobo

[skale240]

hmm, how did you make this post?


how old is it? have you checked the litttle battery that looks like a quarter?

It should still power on with a dead cmos battery and show POST and give an error msg or beep code. if all the above mentioned still don't work, check to see that all the connections to the hard drives and cd/dvd/blu ray roms are in securely. also check to see if anything out of ordinary is touching the motherboard....I've had PCs have the same symptoms you've described because a loose screw fell out and was shorting out the mainboard. i'm still leaning towards a bad PSU though like bigmike stated.

[skale240]

It's a tower style PC. I have a netbook, laptop and blackberry for alternate internet.

It beeps continuously on/off for about 20 seconds stops for 5 seconds then beeps again. All fans and lights are on, except there's 5 solid lights instead of the 1 or 2 on the mobo

whats the make and model of the PC? also can you see what brand and version the mobo is?

[Bobula]

It's about a 14 month old Q8200 in a gigabyte UD3R. I'm stumped.

[skale240]

try reseating the RAM, if that doesn't work try putting only one in and power it up (assuming you have a pair)

[Bobula]

try reseating the RAM, if that doesn't work try putting only one in and power it up (assuming you have a pair)

I have 2 2 gig sticks of corsair ddr2. I'll try that. Wish me luck.

[skale240]

also.. forgot to mention, if with one stick it doesn't work, try the other stick of RAM and power up. don't forget to ground yourself

[Bobula]

try reseating the RAM, if that doesn't work try putting only one in and power it up (assuming you have a pair)

You were right! If you're ever in sac or heading to reno this weekend I owe you a beer!

thanks,
Bobula

[SLYoteBoy]

Yeah the POST beeps will tell you whats wrong most of the time. Weird that the ram loosened up. Or did you try just one stick?

[Bobula]

Yeah the POST beeps will tell you whats wrong most of the time. Weird that the ram loosened up. Or did you try just one stick?

I reseated them both and retried, no issue

[skale240]

You were right! If you're ever in sac or heading to reno this weekend I owe you a beer!

thanks,
Bobula

No problem! Glad it worked!