PC won´t POST no matter what

[MatiasP]

Hi, I'm trying to fix my father's PC. It used to work perfectly, but when he tried to turn it on after he moved, nothing showed up on the screen. He sent it back to me to repair it.

At first, I thought it was the PSU, because it's a generic really low quality one. So I tested the PC with my PC's PSU, but it's still not working. I repositioned the CPU and replaced the thermal paste. I disconnected everything except what is required for the PC to post (Power to motherboard and CPU, 1 stick of RAM, CPU fan and MOBO speaker). I tested both RAM sticks. I put them in different slots. I even took the motherboard out of the case and placed it over a cardboard box because someone in one forum said that a possible grounding issue could be the cause of the problem.

Is it time to buy a new motherboard? It looks like new, for all that's worth. Even after many years of use.

Specs:

AMD Phenom 8450
ASUS M3A78-EM

 

[Toothless]

Needs more specs plox

 

[MatiasP]

Those are all the specs. The RAM sticks don't have a tag. The PSU is a shitty generic one, like I said. Stock CPU fan.

 

[R-T-B]

Those are all the specs. The RAM sticks don't have a tag. The PSU is a shitty generic one, like I said. Stock CPU fan.

Ok, but just so you know you could still list how much ram in GBs, etc. Not that it really matters in this instance, but you know how us tech types love lots of information.

Not knowing much of anything, I'd say the PSU went out and took the mobo, possibly more with it. Do you have access to a PSU tester? Or a place that can test it? I'd personally just cut to the chase and replace both the mobo and the PSU as both probably really need replacing, but I understand money can be tight.

Oh, and when you say "no post" you mean no beeps, nothing?

 

[Devon68]

I was going to say it might be the power switch on the case but if you tried it outside of the case than that is not it. It seems you tried everything you could.

 

[xvi]

I don't think you mentioned if it tries to power on at all when the button is pressed. Either way, I'd say disconnect everything except CPU (RAM too) and see if you get a POST code. If so. add RAM back in one stick at a time then reconnect various bits one by one until it fails again.
If it powers on, but still doesn't give you a POST code with everything except CPU unplugged, I'd say the board is dead.
If it still doesn't power on, definitely dead board and/or something could be shorting out.

Not sure if a bad CPU and good board could stop a POST. I think it can, but I haven't seen it. Can anyone else weigh in on this?

Edit: I agree that more details on the system would be helpful. If it's a branded system, the model would be helpful (sounds custom built though). Stuff like whether the GPU is dedicated or integrated and whatnot, drives that are in it, any extra expansion cards, etc.

 

[Caring1]

You need to install a graphics card in the bare minimum to see it post.
Being an AM2, AM2+ compatible board it doesn't have integrated graphics.
As mentioned, does the CPU fan spin up when power is applied?

 

[MatiasP]

I apologize. I could have provided more info. I believe the RAM sticks are 2GB each (I have 2). The MOBO has a green LED that turns on when the PSU is connected. When I turn on the PC, all the fans connected, including the CPU fan, start spinning normally. The HDD starts spinning as well, if it's connected. And that's it.

You need to install a graphics card in the bare minimum to see it post.
Being an AM2, AM2+ compatible board it doesn't have integrated graphics.
As mentioned, does the CPU fan spin up when power is applied?

Oh, I can confirm it does indeed have onboard graphics. I have used the PC for months without having a video card.

I just plugged in my GTX 660 Ti just to rule things out, but still no POST, and nothing appears on the screen. No signal, no nothing.

 

[Caring1]

Sorry, my mistake I didn't see the integrated HD3200 graphics on that board.
Here's a link for anyone wanting to see the boards specs.
https://www.asus.com/Motherboards/M3A78EM/specifications/

 

[MatiasP]

Ok, but just so you know you could still list how much ram in GBs, etc. Not that it really matters in this instance, but you know how us tech types love lots of information.

Not knowing much of anything, I'd say the PSU went out and took the mobo, possibly more with it. Do you have access to a PSU tester? Or a place that can test it? I'd personally just cut to the chase and replace both the mobo and the PSU as both probably really need replacing, but I understand money can be tight.

Oh, and when you say "no post" you mean no beeps, nothing?

No, I don't have a PSU tester, and I don't know a place where I can do that. When I say "no post", I mean it doesn't beep. I made sure that the speaker works properly. I even soldered the wires because they got detached. Of course, I tested it with my main PC and it works.

I don't think you mentioned if it tries to power on at all when the button is pressed. Either way, I'd say disconnect everything except CPU (RAM too) and see if you get a POST code. If so. add RAM back in one stick at a time then reconnect various bits one by one until it fails again.
If it powers on, but still doesn't give you a POST code with everything except CPU unplugged, I'd say the board is dead.
If it still doesn't power on, definitely dead board and/or something could be shorting out.

Not sure if a bad CPU and good board could stop a POST. I think it can, but I haven't seen it. Can anyone else weigh in on this?

Edit: I agree that more details on the system would be helpful. If it's a branded system, the model would be helpful (sounds custom built though). Stuff like whether the GPU is dedicated or integrated and whatnot, drives that are in it, any extra expansion cards, etc.

Read my past posts for more details. I tested it without RAM, and nothing is different. It's custom built. It has integrated graphics. No expansion cards. I don't know what you mean by "drives", but I think you can get the info you want by checking out the website of my MOBO, which @Caring1 kindly provided.

Looks like I'll have to buy another motherboard... Either way, I gotta thank all of you for trying to help me, and so quickly. I really appreciate it

 

[Jetster]

There are trouble shooting steps for this and they aren't that hard to follow. Pull everything apart. Motherboard on a wood surface. (no case) Reset cmos, hook up PSU, CPU and one stick of ram. Monitor of course. Nothing else. Power on, fans spin, still no post, try different stick of ram, power on, fans spin no post. Throw in trash

 

[jaggerwild]

+1^^
Also if you have spare parts, swap the video, swap the memory, swap the CPU, Swap the motherboard,try different memory slots, try different PCI-e slot......

FULL system spec's are(were not mind readers)

Mother board
CPU
memory
Video card
SSD/HHD
Power Supply
Case
ADD-ons

 

[Devon68]

There are trouble shooting steps for this and they aren't that hard to follow. Pull everything apart. Motherboard on a wood surface. (no case) Reset cmos, hook up PSU, CPU and one stick of ram.

Did you not read the first post? He did those steps already.

 

[Jetster]

Did you not read the first post? He did those steps already.

He forgot the last step. Throw it in the trash

 

[R-T-B]

He forgot the last step. Throw it in the trash

He's sorta asking what parts to throw in the trash.

As I said, I advise the mobo be the first avenue of replacement. And the PSU, if at all possible, as it's likely related to the issue.

 

[P4-630]

http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/boot-failure-troubleshooting-flowchart.172968/

 

[Devon68]

He forgot the last step. Throw it in the trash

That is the most important one.

 

[rtwjunkie]

In every case that I've seen involving power light on motherboard, fans spinning, but no post, it's 9/10 times the motherboard. If you can get your hands on another PSU of any kind and try that, to rule out your PSU, I recommend doing so.

 

[DRDNA]

I suspect it to be the motherboard too, I would look at all the capacitors on the motherboard for a bulging cap for maybe some tangible proof that it is indeed the motherboard.

https://images.search.yahoo.com/sea...RzZWMDc2M-?p=Bulging+Capacitors&fr=ymyy-t-999

 

[Tatty_Two]

At risk of over simplifying things, is the case power on cable plugged in correctly to the motherboard header? just thinking it may have come loose in the move.

 

[D007]

Did anyone say to simply try resetting cmos? lol..

 

[DeathtoGnomes]

I've had a similar problem before on a couple cases, both were /facepalm events. I had 2 modular PSU's, that taught me to check for the right cable for the right PSU. The other more complicated was that the mb battery can get dirt on the surfaces and cause it to lose contact therefore not recharging the battery fully.

The other thing to check is the ATX connector to the MB this id does not have loose pins (or enlarged sockets) and that none backed out.

IF you cant get into the BIOS after this too, junk the MB.

 

[xvi]

I tested it without RAM, and nothing is different.

Hmm. Just making sure, does it have a speaker plugged in to the board?

You need to install a graphics card in the bare minimum to see it post.

One can remove GPU and memory and still get an audible beep code, assuming everything's in working order.

 

[jaggerwild]

Hi, I'm trying to fix my father's PC. It used to work perfectly, but when he tried to turn it on after he moved, nothing showed up on the screen. He sent it back to me to repair it.

At first, I thought it was the PSU, because it's a generic really low quality one. So I tested the PC with my PC's PSU, but it's still not working. I repositioned the CPU and replaced the thermal paste. I disconnected everything except what is required for the PC to post (Power to motherboard and CPU, 1 stick of RAM, CPU fan and MOBO speaker). I tested both RAM sticks. I put them in different slots. I even took the motherboard out of the case and placed it over a cardboard box because someone in one forum said that a possible grounding issue could be the cause of the problem.

Is it time to buy a new motherboard? It looks like new, for all that's worth. Even after many years of use.

Specs:

AMD Phenom 8450
ASUS M3A78-EM

Tried to turn it on after MOVING is the key here( it worked before the move but not after), remove the GPU from the board the PCI-e pins can become coated from vibrations. Use an eraser to clean the PCI-e pins then whip them clean and re-seat the GPU. Check all modular connections re-seating any or all of them.

Hmm. Just making sure, does it have a speaker plugged in to the board?

One can remove GPU and memory and still get an audible beep code, assuming everything's in working order.

Boards don't come with speakers no more, so unless he is used to building units then he probably doesn't have a speaker. Think my last one was a socket 775.

 

[MatiasP]

I suspect it to be the motherboard too, I would look at all the capacitors on the motherboard for a bulging cap for maybe some tangible proof that it is indeed the motherboard.

https://images.search.yahoo.com/sea...RzZWMDc2M-?p=Bulging+Capacitors&fr=ymyy-t-999

View attachment 75418

All the capacitors look normal. No bulges.

Tried to turn it on after MOVING is the key here( it worked before the move but not after), remove the GPU from the board the PCI-e pins can become coated from vibrations. Use an eraser to clean the PCI-e pins then whip them clean and re-seat the GPU. Check all modular connections re-seating any or all of them.



Boards don't come with speakers no more, so unless he is used to building units then he probably doesn't have a speaker. Think my last one was a socket 775.

Read this post http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/pc-won´t-post-no-matter-what.223361/#post-3472499.

Also, the MOBO has on-board graphics. The PC doesn't have a dedicated graphics card. I tested it with my main GPU though, but it's all the same.

In every case that I've seen involving power light on motherboard, fans spinning, but no post, it's 9/10 times the motherboard. If you can get your hands on another PSU of any kind and try that, to rule out your PSU, I recommend doing so.

I already tried with a reliable PSU. Read my past posts.

I've had a similar problem before on a couple cases, both were /facepalm events. I had 2 modular PSU's, that taught me to check for the right cable for the right PSU. The other more complicated was that the mb battery can get dirt on the surfaces and cause it to lose contact therefore not recharging the battery fully.

The other thing to check is the ATX connector to the MB this id does not have loose pins (or enlarged sockets) and that none backed out.

IF you cant get into the BIOS after this too, junk the MB.

It is plugged in correctly.

Question: Could it be a problem with the battery, even when the fans spin and the MOBO green led turns on?

I did reset the CMOS the other day, and nothing changed. I also removed the battery for a few minutes. Could it be that the battery is faulty? I'll try resetting the CMOS again tomorrow, just in case. If it's not that or the battery, then I'll just go and buy another MOBO...