Computer startup

Sorry, may be a little of topic but really could do with someone’s help here

When I turn my computer on it doesn't kick in, the fans start but that all, and the computer just acts as if it need to jump to the next stage. After about 10 attempts, turning the computer on and off it starts as normal. If I restart it from the shut down screen it starts as normal once started. I haven't installed any new software, I’ve defragged the hard drive and checked for any virus, nothing. Any ideas??? [:?]

[HighFlyer]

When you say it doesnt 'kick in', do you mean it doesnt 'beep' and go to the boot up screen? Do you see the boot up screen at all? (when not booting from a reboot)?

[Bazz]

Hi Trev, you need to provide a little more info, do you not see any text on the screen at all prior to Windows start up? What OS are you using? Does the machine go through its POST (Power On Self Test). Give us a bit more detail and we will try to assist you.

Hi
Correct, it doesn't beep and I don't see anything on the monitor, I always turn the monitor on at the same time and I get a box on the screen saying "no signal being received". As I said the fans start as normal but it just seems as if it won't jump to the next stage of the startup process.

Sorry for not explaining myself fully, bit of a novice when it comes to computers.

Cheers

Trev

I'm using Windows XP, i don't see any thing on the screen at all, not to sure what you mean by post.

[HighFlyer]

Sounds like it could be a power issue. I take it you hear the fans whirling round but thats about it?

Do you have any devices plugged into the PC - particularly USB Hubs and devices? If so, unplug everything non-essential (all you really need at this stage is your keyboard to be honest) and try switching off the PC (pull out the power cord from the back and switch it off if there is a flick switch - then put the power cord back in) Try switching it on again and see what happens. If it is a power issue its often the case that USB devices sap all the power.

Try that and see what happens.


Thanks,
Sarah

If it's any help, these are my computers specs

CPU Intel¨ Pentium¨ 4 3.4E GHz HT (Prescott)
Memory 512 MB DDR RAM - PC3200
Motherboard TG 865PE
Hard Drive 250GB Western Digital WD2500JD
CD / DVD Drive Lite-On¨ SOHD-167T DVD drive
CD / DVD Drive Lite-On¨ SOHW-832S DVD/RW Combo drive
Floppy Drive Integrated 7 in 1 card reader
Floppy Drive Floppy disk drive
Sound Card Realtek AC'97 audio
Video / Graphics Card ATi¨ Radeonª 9550 256MB
Speakers Advent SP-120N
Modem C-Com 5619PSV-R
Network Card Realtek 8139 / 810x (Onboard)
Disassembly Jupiter chassis
Ports Advent T9201 ports information
Mouse Advent PS/2 mouse

[Bazz]

If as you say you have not added anything recently and what HighFlyer suggests doesn't work, I would take the cover off the PC and check all connections are ok, power and data cables. Also check all cards, memory modules etc, are proper seated. Make sure you earth yourself before touching anything inside the case and, of course, make sure the power is disconnected.

Have you tried booting into "Safe mode" this loads a minimal set of drivers and can allow you to trouble shoot a problem, although it sound more like a hardware issue to me.

How old is the PC?

It's about a year old now, tried what highflyer suggested but it didn't work, took me about another 10 time swutching the computer on and off before it finally decided to load up

As suggested, just took the side panel of and checked all the wire were connected correctly, gave everything a slight push [:?], replaced the panel and it started first time, not to sure if it because it was warmed up or not, but it did actually start the first time. If I restart from the shut down menu it did start ok, so IÕll have to turn it of and leave it for a bit to cool down then try it, fingers crossed [:w]

Hopefully it was a loose wire.......If not, as Arnie would say....I'll be back [:#]

Cheers

Trev

[Bazz]

Sounds promising Trev, sometimes components can come loose over time, they may not have been fully inserted to start with and with the temp changes, etc., it is easy to get a poor connection. Anyhow, I thought it worth a try and hopefully the machine will now behave. [y]

Originally posted by Trev2283
As suggested, just took the side panel of and checked all the wire were connected correctly, gave everything a slight push [:?], replaced the panel and it started first time, not to sure if it because it was warmed up or not, but it did actually start the first time. If I restart from the shut down menu it did start ok, so IÕll have to turn it of and leave it for a bit to cool down then try it, fingers crossed [:w]

Hopefully it was a loose wire.......If not, as Arnie would say....I'll be back [:#]

Cheers

Trev

Only just got round to reading this thread, but in my considered professional opinion, most non boot issues are down to the following in order of how frequently these cause a problem:

1) Cables dislodged (particularly the HDD cable, if this is slightly out no boot at all)
2) Card failure (Card dislodged or failed causing system to halt, such as VGA card, modem card etc)
3) Motherboard Failure (self explanatory)
4) PSU Failure (This general will not power any of the unit including the fans)

Then assumming you can get to the POST results you are clear on most of the above issues.

But I hope you have already solved your issues

Paul

Sounds like a faulty PSU or MB to me. Flakey component or dry joint. If you dissconnect and reconnect the mains do you have to switch on by pussing a button on the case or does the unit power up automatically? If the latter go into the BIOS and turn the auto boot after power fail off. I have known the power control features in the BIOS cause intermittant problems similar to this. You could also try another PSU if you dont even get the POST beep. This may be a cheaper option to "swap test" as a PSU can be picked up for around £20.

Good Luck

Fadge

[HighFlyer]

The reason i suggested that it was a PSU (Power Supplu Unit) issue is that i am having a similar issue at home.

My main PC sometimes just will not boot up, on pressing the power button the fans spin and i hear it start up and wait for the tell-tale 'ok' Beep from POST ... but nothing. No BIOS screen. Nowt. My problem is the power supply, i have found that by unplugging all power sapping devices (such as my USB hub) and leaving the machine to cool down, it will then boot up. Although i have the joy of never knowing when its going to happen, as some days it boots up just fine.

I take it as a tell tale sign that i need to upgrade my machine!

Thanks,
Sarah

Instead of blowing money on a whole new machine way not recondition the PSU so that your POST beeps, and your BIOS burps, in which case I think your will find your VDU starts behaving, your RAM re-sorts, and you will be able to reinsert your SIU and fire up your WAN. There I too can do IT speak!;)

[HighFlyer]

Well done Jeremy!!!

Although to be a true nerd you have to appreciate the joy that is getting a new PC, from choosing your components to taking them home and assembling them with your bare hands! Hearing its first POST beep when you have built it is a memorable moment All that is lost on simply 'getting a new PSU' [:(] although a darn sight more cost effective!

Thanks,
Sarah

Originally posted by HighFlyer
have to appreciate the joy that is getting a new PC, from choosing your components to taking them home and assembling them with your bare hands! Hearing its first POST beep when you have built it is a memorable moment

It's a PC not a baby! Now if you were talking about a new boat, lowering it into the water, pulling up the sails for the first time and the pride you feel when you hear it utter its first words as the bow cuts through the water. And then the joy of antisipating the many adventures ahead that you and your new bundle of fun will enjoy.

Hi all

Well, turned the computer on after leaving it for an hour or so and it started first time [^]

Not to sure what the noise was but I think it was the fan, made an awful humming noise as if it was about to give up. Once everything loaded and it settled down, everything was fine.

This could be another area to watch. If the fans are intermittent for any reason, and something gets hotter than its supposed to, it's quite likely that the PC will shut itself down/fail to start properly.

Also, make sure you know which fan is the noisy one - there is often more than one fan in a modern PC, the faulty operation of which can shut a PC down very quickly.

New fans cost 5-20 GBP, and a new power supply would be 40-80. I'd seriously look at replacing the power supply if problems continue - it'd be a straight swap-out.

All this said, its usually the loose cable/connector problems that are the most frequent (and quickest to fix).

[Bazz]

Although the PSU will probably be a straight swop physically, be sure to get one that is adequate for the current (power not today) demands that you are likely to place on it, they do come with various power capacities. You will most certainly have a cooling fan on the CPU and another will be part of the PSU module, you may have more, as Vizbiz says, for the sake of a few quid it is probably worth replacing them particularly as you appear to be getting a lot of fan noise at start-up a sure sign one, or more, are on the way out.

Originally posted by sailor99
Instead of blowing money on a whole new machine way not recondition the PSU so that your POST beeps, and your BIOS burps, in which case I think your will find your VDU starts behaving, your RAM re-sorts, and you will be able to reinsert your SIU and fire up your WAN. There I too can do IT speak!;)

Oh that's funny. When can I get you in for interview Jeremy as you speak far more confidently that any of my staff do!?

Paul

Thank you all so much for your help and advise, just one last question.

Came in from work this morning and again the computer started first time, but something is seriously wrong with these fans, they made an awful racket and at one point sounded as if they were about to give up for good, but having said that the computer started fine.

Is there anyway to tell what fans I need or would a computer shop know which parts I needed, and is it best to replace both the fan and the power supply fan/unit.

Have searched my computer and can't find any info concerning what fans are installed.

Again, really appreciate your help [y]

Cheers

Trevor

Typically you wont get info from the PC itself regarding fans etc. That said, a competent local PC shop can sort it out for you, and it'll probably be one of four things for fans;

1)Power supply - probably safer to get a new one than fiddle with the fans
2) CPU fan - a straight swap-out.
3) graphics card fan - again a straight swap out.
4) Case fan - swap out.

Any of the last 3 will cost say £10 for a fan, and probably a £20-40 labour charge for any of the 4 above if you don't do it yourself. Look out for loose cables obstructing any of the existing fans as others have pointed out.

[HighFlyer]

Hi Trev

Have you had a look inside your computer? Generally its either going to be the case fan, the CPU cooler or the fan on your graphics card. Might be worth you having a look inside to check the fans, see if there are any loose wires that might be getting in the way, or ensure they are not clogged up with dust or anything.

All are reasonably cheap and easy to replace. Its unlikely to be the graphics card, id more than likely say that its the case fan, but have a look and let us know if this sheds any more light on the issue.

If you have any local computer stores that do repairs im sure you could take it to them for a quick check.

Thanks,
Sarah