PC Peripherals PC goes dead until re-installing RAM

kidrow

kidrow

Adept
Hi, this has happened twice now. My PC went dead a couple of days ago all of a sudden without warning. It refused to boot up. However, it would start up to a point where the CPU fan would be spinning, & the DVD tray would respond. Beyond that, nothing. The monitor went into power save mode after a message saying no signal.

So, I removed the RAM & powered on the PC. The mobo gave 3 beeps, so I assumed it was OK. Next, I cleaned the RAM with an eraser [to remove static?]. & the PC booted up fine after that. It worked well until today, when the same problem cropped up.

This time I removed & re-installed the RAM, without using an eraser on it, & it has worked fine for about 4-5 hours now.

So, what could the problem be? What troubleshooting can I do? I have 2 sticks of RAM, & on both occasions I've re-installed both & they have worked fine.

What next? Thanks!
 
Same problem occurred with me the culprit was ram,died after a while. Try running memtest and see if it report any errors.
 
Alright, will try out memtest & post results. Thanks for your replies.

PS - Didn't state the config as I didn't think it mattered.
 
Didnt need to try out memtest as the problem went away on it's own. However, the past week there's a new problem that's cropped up.

Basically, the PC requires a 'dhakka' start, as in push-starting a car. In other words, when the PC is 1st booted up, there's nothing on the display. I dont even get the 'no signal' message on the monitor. The PC boots up fine, judging by the XP welcome tone. Also, when I shut down via keyboard, it shuts off. I then have to switch off the mains, & re-try. It always works the 2nd time round, i.e. the display & PC function normally.

Any ideas? Thanks.
 
All giving different solutions ... may be mixing couple of them would work...

First as Asingh said ... pls give PC Config

Secondly how old is ur PSU?

my suggestion is to chk the PSU? .... Similar problem at my end ... had to RMA both the board n PSU.
 
kidrow said:
Didnt need to try out memtest as the problem went away on it's own. However, the past week there's a new problem that's cropped up.

Basically, the PC requires a 'dhakka' start, as in push-starting a car. In other words, when the PC is 1st booted up, there's nothing on the display. I dont even get the 'no signal' message on the monitor. The PC boots up fine, judging by the XP welcome tone. Also, when I shut down via keyboard, it shuts off. I then have to switch off the mains, & re-try. It always works the 2nd time round, i.e. the display & PC function normally.

Any ideas? Thanks.
Click to expand...

This clearly tells that the culprit is RAM. As you have stated you have 2 RAM sticks. If you are reluctant in using Memtest 86, Now just try doing this. Remove either 1 of the sticks from the slot. Try using the computer and try shutting down and restarting after a while. IF there is no problem then the RAM stick in use has no issues. Now try the 2nd RAM stick and do the same and if you find that the system does not boot up the first time then for sure you found the corrupted RAM stick.

Even i had 4 RAM sticks and eventually sometimes the system would start with proccy fan running however no display no boot beep. However when i try switch off and switch on it would work. I used Mem86 and found the corrupted RAM stick and replaced it and my system is just running fine.

I do not think that this is the problem of your PSU or motherboard. This is more to do with RAM
 
I was having the same kind of issue sometime back with my PC. Then finally, when i came to know the BIOS date went to 12.00 and the failure of the BIOS to save Harddisk info , i confirmed it to be a battery issue and replaced it. From that time pc works fine . May i know how old is your pc ?. Because these types of issues are usually mistaken for mobo/memory errors. In my case even i thought the motherboard and or the RAM is dying. Some of the TE members told that the mobo is dying. When i was about to take my mobo to service centre, i changed the battery and its fine. Did you check your BIOS ?.

Anyway try battery replacement as a final measure and decide...
 
Thanks for your reply guys. Guess, I'll run memtest first, as that's the easiest option for troubleshooting.

BTW, here's the config:
P4 3.06ghz w/ HT, 1+0.5gb RAM, Intel d102ggc2 Mobo, Generic Xtech 400w PSU, XP. It's a 3yr old machine.

Thanks. Will keep you posted.
 
Tested both sticks of RAM individually, 2 passes each, with MemTest. No errors on either. So that rules out bad RAM?

The system date in the BIOS seems OK.

Now, are there any tests for the mobo? Or will I have to purchase one & check it out? Same for the PSU?

Please help!!! [Today it took about 4 restarts before I could see something on the screen. Previously, the maximum no. was 2]
 
The Bios is the latest available for my mobo. So can't upgrade there.

Guess I'll have to spend to know what the problem is :sigh:

What is the minimum spec/model of PSU reqd. for my config? I'm thinking of buying a PSU first & then a mobo, if the PSU change doesn't help.

Update: I had a 8600gt lying about, which I tried out. The PC wouldn't even boot up with the card fitted. All I got was the CPU fan spinning & the DVD drive blinking for a short while. I removed the card & the PC booted up fine. [Though it again required a reboot for something to show up on the display].

So does this info help in determining whether it's the PSU or the mobo, for sure?
 
Alright, so i connected my monitor to a friend's pc and the same problem cropped up. [Nothing on the monitor until 4 reboots]

I also connected my system to his monitor and there were no problems at all.

So it seems like its the lcd [Viewsonic VA712] which is at fault.

Now, is it possible to repair it or is replacement the only option. What could the problem be? Maybe the screen's internal power supply?

Can someone please guide me as to the location of the Viewsonic service center in Mumbai or recommend a good establishment for LCD repairs? [Though there's no longer any warranty, I'd like to get it done from Viewsonic so long as the charges are reasonable]

Thanks. Much obliged.
 
viewsonic after warranty service is too high,try to repair with a local good quality technician,,also thier inventory is very low,call viewsonic india toll free no:to find the nearest ASP.

Initially check the same with your trusted technician !
 
Thanks for your help guys. The Viewsonic call center exec said that they don't have any info about the service center location, as their warranty service is on-site. So i guess I have no choice but to look for a local repair serviceman. Will definitely update post with the results. Ciao.
 
The local repair guy says some 'card' is faulty. It's not available atm & hence I'm back to square one.

I tried to figure out what 'card' he meant exactly but I guess even he doesn't really know cos he couldn't give me a proper explanation. All I could get out of him was that only a ViewSonic card will do, cos 'each Co. has it's own settings & hence another Co's. card being installed isn't advisable.'

He's promised me that the VS 'card' will be available in around 10 days time. So in the meantime, I'm trying to get my hands on a VS service center address or no.

Anyways, any idea what 'card' he's talking about? Thanks. Will keep you'll updated. Ciao!
 
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