Need help on why rig wont post/boot right

[InspectahACE]

Hey guys, I'm selling the Millennium Falcon rig to a friend..i put in an old 7900 gt and took the x-fi platinum out and rewired the cable..I checked all the cables and all are plugged in firmly and nothing is touching the motherboard..now here's the issue..first Vista needed needed the NTloadr file..i then decided to just format and reinstall Vista. well, all of a sudden the damn thing wont post..and it's hit or miss on whether i get to the bios or not now..i got video before the trouble started and i only use the 7900gt maybe 5 months when i got it before i bought the 8800gtx..I took out the usb card since I know I threw it around during the years..still no luck.Power supply seems to be fine. I just don't understand what went wrong. I had some family issues today, and add this and well..a hammer is not a good thing to hand me right now..there's times when I do get into the bios but it freezes even there.. It wasn't like this a week ago..im sure im missing something but at this point im really too pissed to marinate on what could be wrong and hope someone could maybe give me some ideas..I'd really hate for a hardware issue to arise since im about to sell it

[vicaphit]

Did you try removing one of the ram DIMMs? I recall a problem with having multiple DIMMs installed while installing Vista.

[InspectahACE]

I spose I could do that..I've installed Vista before with mroe than 2 GB and didnt have any issues(hence my i7 rig did fine)..but ill try it..hopefully it will let the lil rig post lol

[InspectahACE]

No luck..still freezes..the copy of Vista I have is the upgrade version, so I have to install XP first, but after it "inspects my configuration" it just freezes or just goes blank..does with it 2GB does it 4GB.basically can't even install a damn thing.so I can only think that its one of 3 things..#1 video card went bad..#2 motherboard went bad..#3 HD drive went bad..or a possible 4th, something is shorting out the motherboard..and nothing is touching it other than the motherboard mounts on the tray(that much i know lol). I had hope for a moment when I was able to set everything up in the BIos and save it, but when it rebooted, well, it never showed back up again. Even a straight shut down doesn't workk..this sucks..i was gonna use the funds to finish my i7 rig

[pwcmed]

If you get into the BIOS check out the hardware monitor/PC Health and check out the temps.

[InspectahACE]

temps are fine actually..i saw them in bios before it would freeze..doesnt even a chance to hit 45 C lol

[Major_A]

My suggestions:
1)Turn off PC and only use 1 stick of RAM.
2)Clear the BIOS and set to Load Optimized Defaults
3)Install Vista (your version) - custom install with no serial. DO NOT ACTIVATE.
4)Reinstall Vista and this time choose upgrade and enter your serial number.

3 and 4 aren't imperative but this way you don't need to install XP first.

[InspectahACE]

I only have the upgrade to Vista lol..havent use one stick yet, but will now, I wasn't gonna clear the bios again (as it has been 6 times now lol) but ill do it again for good measure

[Major_A]

That's how I installed my copy of Home Premium upgrade several times.

http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/pcs/how-to-i ... 232770.php

[InspectahACE]

ehh ive never been able to get the upgrade to boot..plus i delete all the old windows files form the previous install when the upgrade is done.thanks for the tip tho.never knew it could be done like that. Anyhow, still no dice with one stick..in fact it wont even power up..even changed power cords..im beginning to think its the PSU(considering i wasn't able to power it on a few weeks ago then the power came back on when i tried it)

[XstollieX]

I would try and test the psu, or swap them between machines. I know it can be a pita with the work that's put into cable management, but it should help eliminate issues. You could strip the machine down to mem and cpu and see if that will issue post errors. If not it will limit the issue to the components already installed; mobo, cpu, ram, or power supply. If you get a consistent error put the gfx card back in and see if it posts and if you can get into the bios. If you have a multimeter you can check your psu rails.

[InspectahACE]

I would try and test the psu, or swap them between machines. I know it can be a pita with the work that's put into cable management, but it should help eliminate issues. You could strip the machine down to mem and cpu and see if that will issue post errors. If not it will limit the issue to the components already installed; mobo, cpu, ram, or power supply. If you get a consistent error put the gfx card back in and see if it posts and if you can get into the bios. If you have a multimeter you can check your psu rails.

well. with all due respect, the power supply isn't even puttin up a titter now and I'm not too sure testing it would be beneficial in any way..I could swap the psu's but damn that would suck with the time put in on the wiring job. I spose I could be a silly goose and buy another psu and see if that works.if its not the cause, then i can always get a refund..just sucks as I'd have to wait on selling the rig.hopefully my buddy doesn't get spooked about this

[pwcmed]

I don't know what titter is,, not powering up. If you don't feel comfortable jumping a power supply you can always buy a power supply tester. I found one at Altech for about 20 bucks and that was overpriced.

[Major_A]

When you press the power button what exactly is happening? If nothing is happening, it could also be your motherboard. If you live near a Fry's you might want to stop by and pick up a PSU tester, rather than pay for a new one.

[InspectahACE]

I keep forgetting about those testers..you guys rule for reminding me of those..and you are right Major, on it possibly being the motherboard..I've had 2 that went bad in similar fashion now that I think of it(my mind is warped after midnite)..nothing happens when i push the power button..before the complete lack of power, it would turn on just fine then freeze.


"titter" is a cool word(i think it is anyway)..one i have no idea what it means so my apologies if it's offensive..I have a habit of using cool words I have no understanding of

[DJ Tucker]

as the guys have mentioned use a power supply tester they are great. personally i think its your motherboard as my dad had the same problem. he pressed the power button started fine then suddenly it would crash/freeze. all he did was reinstall vista and defragment the hard drive and walla, good as new. ok he did have vista home premium not upgrade premium but still have you tried to see your defrag anaylse results it could be that.

[InspectahACE]

havent seen any results since it wont turn on my friend..I had the rig on a table bein worked on for a week..then i pluggeed it back and this happened..luckily the mobo was only $100

[Major_A]

Unplug all the power from the PSU to the motherboard. Pull the plug out of the back of the PSU and hold down the power button on the case for 5 seconds. Plug everything back in and see if it will turn on. I know this sounds dumb but sometimes it works, especially if there is a hard shutdown, i.e. the power goes out.

[InspectahACE]

nothing is dumb on suggestions on how to fix this I will try that

[Sowser]

Titter means to laugh nervously.