Computer turns on, POST does not start? (URGENT PLEASE HELP)?

Question

Urgent because this computer has my coursework on it, and i haven't got any money to buy a new computer straight away.

This is the scenario. I turn on my computer, the fan keeps making a whirring noise like usual, but instead today the whirring noise went on and off. I panicked and emergency shut down the computer. I rebooted to find it acts like normal (Makes a screeching sound like usual, i think that signals its booting up everything) it makes the OK beep (beep once) BUT now the problem starts.

After that i check the screen, instead of the boot logo (ACER with options to edit BIOS and stuff. I THINK THIS IS THE POST SCREEN) NOTHING happens. The activity light interestingly blinks 5 times then goes inactive. After this everything is silent. The fans keep whirring, but there is no HDD, RAM or CPU activity. Nor is there anything on the screen.

When this first happened i booted up my computer, and i found my Sansa fuze (rockboxed) was plugged in, so i unplugged it during boot (i know, facepalm) and this is when this first happened.

I have a plug and play mouse, a keyboard that connects to keyboard slot, a webcam, a sansa fuze bridge and a ipod touch bridge. I unplugged the bridges and the webcam and rebooted, same issue occurred.

If this is unfixable, i am calling in tech support to check it out.

I have NOT checked system components but if this is the case (hardware failure) then if anyone can provide instructions/link of how i can preform this, then that would be appreciated.

If from my description you can diagnose the problem (HDD failure, CPU burnt out, Memory gone up the swanny) it would also be appreciated. thanks.

Answer 1

Nothing you did with a command prompt can alter the POST. Everything in the POST is controlled by a Read-Only chip in the computer. The command prompt is no loaded until well beyond the POST.



Two common problems that could cause what you are seeing. The first is RAM. One of the memory chips may have worked loose and when the POST attempts to access it (one of the first things POST does) it hangs waiting for chip to respond. Reseating the chips may resolve the problem. While you have it open, you should also reseat any other cards in the PC just in case it is one of them that is loose instead.



If that fails, the other most likely problem is that the power supply has gone bad. You will need to have it replaced. Depending on how computer savvy you are, you may be able to do that yourself. Or offer a geek friend a free McDonald's meal to do it for you. The part will probably run you $50-$75. If you take it in, be prepared to spend $200 to have it done.

Answer 2

From what you describe, it sounds like either the power supply went out or the motherboard is bad. The only way to test would be to get ahold of another power supply and see if that does the trick. It's a hardware failure for sure.

Answer 3

This could lead to a few things.



A) Power Supply Failure.

-This can be relatively cheap fix.

B) Motherboard Failure.

-This can be either cheap, or horrific (since motherboard may not exist on market, meaning near full component upgrade to get it up and running again)

C) For Hardware tests:

www.memtest.com (memory)

For hard drive, search google for Drive Fitness Test (or DFT). I have one that I purchased, it does not have a trial, nor will I be able to hand that out.



Good luck and I hope this helps.

Answer 4

the first thing i would check would be the psu. switch out the psu with one u know is good and see if it will post for u.



i doubt if rockbox has affected your post settings. post settings are in bios.