When tech support needs tech support....
 

The computer:

MachSpeed Matrix P4M800 Motherboard (never heard of them? neither have I)
Intel Celeron D 2.93Ghz (I know, ugh)
512MB PC 3200 RAM

The problem:
The computer will boot just fine, however, when I try to load Windows XP from a cd, it'll get to "Setup is inspecting your hardware" and lock up. Likewise, I've tried an Ubuntu Live CD, and it will lock up at the "Linux Boot" prompt.

What I've tried so far:
Replaced the hard drive.
Replaced the DVD drive.
Replaced the RAM.

Has anyone ever had a problem like this? It seems like the only things I haven't tried replacing are the Mobo/processor, but if it boots, those should be okay right? I get no POST error beeps or anything.

Problem 2:
I built an AMD system for a client of mine about a month ago. Yesterday, he calls me up and says the computer won't boot. Sure enough, I go over, pick it up, and...nothing. The fans spin up, but there's no signal coming from the onboard video at all, no POST beeps or anything. I'm assuming this is a bad motherboard, am I correct? I've taken it out of the case and tried it, but got the same results.

There's your problem, you're trying to use logic when fixing a computer. :lol:


Try disconnecting everything but the processor, RAM and the video, then seeing how far it gets.

If it boots, add one device at a time until you find the culprit.



P.S. as an after-thought, try re-seating the processor first.

I don't know those boards but have found many customers throw things together without a 2x2 +12V supply to the board. Or the PS can't supply adequate 12V for modern systems. Some boards get away with it but not many of them are Intel. The symptoms vary and can shift but reports sound similar to yours.

You say the first one boots fine? What boots if not the installer?

On the second one, you've pulled everything but video/keyboard/mouse and insulated it completely? Tried another PS?

Blast! I was hoping nobody would suggest re-seating the processor. That heatsink is a bastard and a half.

PS-Right now all I have connected is the DVD and HD drives, as I'll need those to boot from the CDs (when the crash occurs).

I'll try the re-seating the processor. Wish me luck!

**Edit: WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! It looks like that worked! I think the guy who built it used entirely too much thermal paste, so I wiped it off and applied some Arctic Silver. So far so good.

Sorry, should've been more clear. It POSTs fine. The installer is what crashes.

On the second one, I have taken the mobo out of the case and set it on an anti-static bag on top of some foam stuff (these are all technical terms, let me know if I lose you :D ) Good idea about trying another PSU, I'll give that a shot.

**Edit: Nope, tried a different PSU on the second machine. No dice. I'd say it's probably just dead.

I'd clear the CMOS on both as a nearly last resort. They might be running with 25x multipliers. :) Seriously, I've had cutomers change some mighty strange things when they found the setup screens. Load safe defaults and begin anew.

Re-seat

Re-boot

RMA



The three R's of Tech Support :thumbsup:

cyrnel-

good deal on your system. I don't understand why some system builders think heatsink compound is a "the more the merrier" situation. In fact, most of the time it's a "less is more" type situation. Good catch. As for the second system, yeah, it sounds like a bad mobo. Have you tried replacing the video card to see if it's just no video (or a bad slot)? If it's AGP or PCI-X try using the other or a PCI vid card. Sometimes bus issues will not get a board to give you POST diagnostic beeps (dunno why... AGP and PCI Express just seem to not follow suit).

The video I'm using on this one is on-board. I have tried a spare AGP and PCI card that I have laying around, but to no avail.

Thanks again for the help, everyone. :thumbsup:

With the second problem, I had that problem when I built my computer. Two bad motherboards. The fans would come on, but no beeps, no whistles, etc. It was a bad motherboard. I replaced that and it booted a-ok.

I had this exact problem with my roomates system, first i thought it was a bad video card, then a bad agp slot, turns out it was a bad stick of ram.
I took a stick out of my machine and through it in his and it worked fine

Good idea, Embic. I don't think I've tried swapping out the RAM on this system. I'll give that a shot. Thanks :thumbsup: