Hardware Analysis - Do you think it's the mobo, cpu, ram, or power supply?

Re: Do you think it's the mobo, cpu, ram, or power supply?

ultma 076 — 2007-10-10T00:26:27-05:00

sounds like ram to me

but is your cpu inserted correctly right orientaion etc

is the hsf pluged in and seated correctly

Re: Do you think it's the mobo, cpu, ram, or power supply?

john albrich — 2007-10-09T22:25:04-05:00

Big Beavis said:

FWIW: I've had two power supplies that tested out fine according to one of these testers, but were in fact defective. It's a good advice and a good first line test, but just be aware that sometimes PSU problems won't show up unless the PSU is under load.

I have usually put more info in my caveats about using these go/no-go testers. As I said and BigBeavis says, they are a basic test. They do not generally cover parameters such as ripple, spikes, stability under load, etc...any one of which can cause system failure. However, since most people don't have access to dynamic load generators, high-bandwidth storage oscilloscopes, and 'smart' voltmeters, they are about the only tool affordable and accessible to most people. They can help diagnose PSU failures often associated with instances where a system has suddenly failed or a new build that won't power-up.

These basic testers drastically reduce the chance that when you plug-in an unknown or suspect PSU it won't blow-out your mobo. Doesn't eliminate the chance 100%...but does reduce it.

Re: Do you think it's the mobo, cpu, ram, or power supply?

Beavis Khan — 2007-10-09T14:17:10-05:00

john albrich said:

Although I tend to believe it's not your PSU, get a PSU go/no-go tester. Available for about US$10-$30 from places like tigerdirect, newegg, etc. Does the basic tests on a PSU. It will also help your debugging in years to come. Here are a couple examples:

Re: Do you think it's the mobo, cpu, ram, or power supply?

Bitmap — 2007-10-09T06:07:05-05:00

Out of sheer curiosity, did you properly apply thermal paste to the CPU/cooler before you attached them to the motherboard and booted? You said it's your first time building a computer, so I'm just running through all the rookie mistakes my friends and I have all made at one point or another.

"Why the hell isn't my computer booting?"

"Oh. Duh. I forgot to connect the from panel controls for the case to the motherboard."

True story.

Re: Do you think it's the mobo, cpu, ram, or power supply?

FordGT90Concept — 2007-10-09T06:01:20-05:00

You tested the power supply so it is probably fine. You tried a different motherboard with the same results so it is probably fine. You have two sticks and tried only one stick at a time in varied slots so that is probably fine.

Assuming all the above is true, that leaves only the processor.

Re: Do you think it's the mobo, cpu, ram, or power supply?

Shadow_Ops_Airman1 — 2007-10-09T05:18:10-05:00

usually with a bad CPU the system wont respond

Re: Do you think it's the mobo, cpu, ram, or power supply?

John Upgrayedd — 2007-10-09T04:09:38-05:00

Today I hooked up the psu to a power supply tester and everything looked good. I also tried a new motherboard and was experiencing the same problems. Now unless I have really bad luck with motherboards, all signs are pointing to the CPU at this point. Tomorrow I will know for sure.

Re: Do you think it's the mobo, cpu, ram, or power supply?

john albrich — 2007-10-07T14:56:22-05:00

John Upgrayedd said:

...Took the motherboard out of the case and placed it on cardboard...

Your mobo manufacturer should have a "beep" code guide. If not, you can look for Award, Phoenix, AMI, etc BIOS generic beep code guides on the internet. There's a guide by Phil Croucher called "The BIOS Companion". It has a section titled "Error messages and codes". I got it as a .pdf document. You'll have to search for that one. Here are some links to interpreting BIOS codes that may or may not be active:
http://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm#02
http://forums.techguy.org/hardware/174049-solved-computer-turn...f-off.html

However, in some guides, 5 "short" beeps can indicate a CPU failure, while continuous beeping can indicate a power problem, loose card, or short-circuit. Applying generic "beep" interpretations will not necessarily provide an accurate diagnosis.

Although I tend to believe it's not your PSU, get a PSU go/no-go tester. Available for about US$10-$30 from places like tigerdirect, newegg, etc. Does the basic tests on a PSU. It will also help your debugging in years to come. Here are a couple examples:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-detai...CatId=1107
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-detai...CatId=1107
or, go to newegg.com and in the search field type in "power tester" without the quotes.

You could also buy a low-cost minimal memory stick (e.g. 256MB for $15) to use as a diagnostic tool. However, be aware that a bad PSU or mobo could damage any memory stick you install.
--------------------------------------------------

Additional comment:
Not saying static charges caused your problem. this is for future reference.

Debugging modern electronics on a piece of cardboard, a synthetic table, or other non-conductive surfaces is not a good thing to do.

A piece of cardboard (or paper) can have "pockets" of static charge that exceed 20,000 volts. Static voltage can begin to damage or destroy modern electronics at levels as low as 25 volts.

Best approach is to get an anti-static mat and anti-static wrist strap, and research/read more on handling computer circuits.

(note: this will not eliminate the risk of static damage, but it will reduce it. The lower the humidity, the higher the risk of static damage)
When anti-static items are unavailable, then do the work on a wooden surface (no paper, plastic, or foam bits around) , on a non-carpeted floor, and while wearing natural fiber clothing only.

Edit: to add PSU tester URLs

Edit: while looking around, I just found this website and the BIOS code subsection. From a very quick overview, it looks like a great info resource.
http://hardwarehell.com/bios.shtml
http://www.bioscentral.com/

Re: Do you think it's the mobo, cpu, ram, or power supply?

Mohawk — 2007-10-07T08:30:25-05:00

got any friends with a spare stick of ram u can try?

also have u checked online to see if anyone else has had the same problems with beeps and ram?

Re: Do you think it's the mobo, cpu, ram, or power supply?

John Upgrayedd — 2007-10-07T08:22:19-05:00

Relevant Specs:

Intel DP35DPM Motherboard
Intel Core 2 Duo E6750 Processor
Corsair Dual Channel 2048MB PC6400 DDR2 800MHz Memory (2 x 1024)
450 Watt PS2 ATX12V

Do you think it's the mobo, cpu, ram, or power supply?

John Upgrayedd — 2007-10-07T08:19:17-05:00

I attempted to build my first computer system today and here is what happened:

Powered on the computer and after about 6 seconds of fans spinning, computer shuts down.

Unplugged everything except for CPU (and cooling unit) and RAM. Motherboard beeped 5 times, then it beeped faster, multiple times (like 12 or 13) and then eventually shuts down.

Took the motherboard out of the case and placed it on cardboard. Same thing as above happened.

Removed RAM and the motherboard beeped 3 times (indicating no RAM) and continued to stay on.

Connected video card and monitor and same thing as above happened, but nothing appeared on the screen.

Disconnected video card, and put in one RAM stick. Computer shuts down immediately.

Took out RAM and put other stick in. Computer beeped 5 times, then 12 or 13 times and then shut down.

Removed power from computer, took out battery on the motherboard and came back an hour later and put the battery back in and applied power to computer. Nothing changed.

What do you think the problem is and what would you try next?