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computer problems

  • Thread starter Thread starter FallingPianos
  • Start date Start date
F

FallingPianos

I'm planning on upgrading the processor on my computer, so I opened it up to see what socket type I have. I took the processor out, because I was planning on taking it to a used computer shop and seeing if I could trade it in, but the shop ended up being closed.

so, I put everything back together and turned on the computer...

and it isn't working. the computer turns on, but the opperating system doesnt load. the "compaq" screen doesn't show, and it doesn't do a memory test either.

any idea whats going on?
 

This happened to me a few months ago when I upgraded my pc. I think the most likely reason as to why it wont do a memory test or open the OS is because the cables connected to your hard drive are probably lose. Try opening it again making sure all the cables and wires are properly hooked up and then try it.
 

I tried that, and now the harddrive clicks... and then nothing happens.

there is one cable loose, but I'm not sure where it goes. right now, its connecting the hardrive to the disket drive. the part that plugs into the hard drive says p3, and the completely loose part says p4.
 

I'd sugest you take it to your local best buy/future shop/circuit city and let them take a look at it....

PS : dont get a compaq ever again.
 
Hatuey said:
I'd sugest you take it to your local best buy/future shop/circuit city and let them take a look at it....

PS : dont get a compaq ever again.
Click to expand...

I have no intention of it, I'm planning on building my next computer.

this computer is actually 8 years old. I bought it for school a long time ago. then I bought a laptop which I had for 2 years, which eventually died. so I've been using the old one until I can build a new one.

I dont think compaq even exists anymore, I think they merged with HP. not that they're any better.
 
Something's loose, but not the harddrive cable. If that's what it was, you'd get the compaq screen and the memory test. I'm wondering if the cable that's loose connects to the processor fan. If so, and with the lack of any screen response, the processor may be damaged. On the other side, double check all your connections and unseat and reseat the memory sticks.

And if you want any advice on a computer build, I build'em as a sideline, so I'd be happy to give some advice.
 

I know its not the cable that connects the processor fan. I dont know enough about computers to be able to disconnect and reconnect everything, but the only thing I disconnected in the first place was the processor. I dont see how anything else could have gotten disconnected.

someone suggested that I remove the battery for 10 minutes and put it back in. I did that, and that didn't work either.

I'll try removing the memory sticks...
 
well, now I'm sure I fried it.

I removed the memory sticks and put them back in, and also twisted the processor a different way. I thought I had it in wrong.

this time when I turned on my computer, one of the fans didn't turn on, and after a second I could smell something burning. I turned it off and disconnected the power chord.

oh well, it wasnt a valuable computer, and it had nothing valuable on it, I just wanted something temporarily...
 

In order to disconnect the processor, you had to remove the heatsink/fan and disconnect it. I don't build systems with Intel processors (I'm an AMD guy), but I'm nearly 100% certain that it is the same for Intel. Check if there are any thin cables coming from the heatsink/fan and if they are connected. Also, turn on your computer with the case cover off, turn the system on, and see if the processor fan is spinning. If the cable is not connected or the fan is not spinning, your problem is with the processor.

Good luck.
 

If the fan didn't turn on, you are correct. It's fried. Sorry to hear that, but glad it wasn't valuable. If there is information on the hard drive you need, I can tell you how to get it off. It may cost a little, but not as much as sending it out to someone.

BTW, don't feel to bad. I once fried a computer by, accidentally plugging in the internal power connector to the CD-ROM drive. The smell was awful. :doh
 


I had only set the system up a week ago, there were no valuable files. it was running linux, so I dont need to worry about licensing issues either.

I think the computer was worth $50 at most. 566mhz, 320MB ram, 10GB hardrive...

I just hope the network card didnt fry, sinse it was brand new. the 256 memory upgrade would have been useful on a new computer too...
 


I had only set the system up a week ago, there were no valuable files. it was running linux, so I dont need to worry about licensing issues either.

I think the computer was worth $50 at most. 566mhz, 320MB ram, 10GB hardrive...

I just hope the network card didnt fry, sinse it was brand new. the 256 memory upgrade would have been useful on a new computer too...
 

I had only set the system up a week ago, there were no valuable files. it was running linux, so I dont need to worry about licensing issues either.

I think the computer was worth $50 at most. 566mhz, 320MB ram, 10GB hardrive...
 

Yeah, doesn't seem to valuable. Glad you didn't lose anything. The memory may not be damaged. Pull it out, and when you get a new system, you can try it to see if it's OK. Network card is probably OK, too.
 
star2589 said:
I could smell something burning.
Click to expand...

I was gonna offer some advice. LOL! too late now. Your hd's prob'ly still good though.


In general when you have that kind of problem you start all over again with only the minimal components- CPU, RAM, video card (if applicable) and then try it.
With just these you should get a beep and a POST (power on self test).
If you don't then you have only a few items to examine.

All academic now tho I s'pose
 
If it's 8 yrs old, there's prob'ly not anything but the drives [HD, cd, fd] that'll be compatible w/ a new box.

The hard and the cd drives will be so small or so slow compared to what you can get for a few more dollars. Unless you want to have extra drives on your box or if you intend on experimenting you may want to write the whole box off.

I'd keep the parts, but I play around with pieces parts and build little Frankenstein machines all the time.
 

my parents bought a 256 MB memory upgrade for it 2 years ago thats still usable, and the network card is brand new, and the modem is probably worth keeping. I might keep the CD ROM drive, but I'll also be needing a CD/DVD rw drive. those are probably the only parts I'll keep though.

this computer has actually never beeped when it started up. I remember older computers doing that after they ran a memory test, but I dont think newer computers actually beep anymore.
 
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