Alas poor PC I knew him well!

[Stimpy]

Hey guys, I'm at a bit of a loss as to why my pc has died on me, I'm hoping some of the more tech minded of you guys can help me out, here a list of what I have then I'll explain the problem

Components
Abit KD7 Motherboard
AMD 2100+ Processor
1gig Memory (2x256)(1x512)
Radeon 9500pro or Geforce MX2
80gig WD HD
SB Live!
550w PSU

Yesterday while playing some mp3's my pc suddenly restarted itself, got to windows then it encountered an error and restarted again, tried booting it in safe mode, again restarted when it got to windows, then it started just resetting before it even got to the loading windows logo.
Now it won't even go to the bios screen, switch it on and it just sits there, monitor stays on stand-by, fans twirl round but nothing, no beeps from the motherboard or anything.

I've tried removing the memory and sticking in just one stick at a time, tried changing the graphics card as listed above, I removed all my periphals from the pc except the graphics card, still nothing, I would try booting from a cd but as I cant even get into the bios anymore it's a bit hard to try that
I should also mention that I went into the bios when it was still working to check temps and all seemed ok even pointed my huge fan into the case just incase, tried using load-safe defaults and things but now nothing. Also it now can't be switched off, I have to just take the plug out and when I put the plug back in it turns itself on straight away (not sure if that means anything apart from it's buggered).
I'm at a loss as to what to try now and if a part is buggered which part do I need to buy, I just bought new tires for my car so I'm a bit strapped for cash

Thanks for any advice guys, apart from if it's cry which I have already done

I almost forgot just under a year ago my PSU died on me it was a 340w (or around that) that came with my Chieftec case, I thought it must not have been powerful enough so I bought the 550w one I have now, I can't remember if that did the same thing though or just wouldn't even come on at all.

 

[wyrd_fish]

mine sometimes won't boot, i'm pretty sure it's the cases fault, as once i wip out the gfx card and put it back in it works again, i think the case levers it out, as it's not quite square

but you've tried that

i also had a problem with it no booting, i had to reinstall

 

[fatbusinessman]

Possibilities I can think of:
- Buggered PSU (not so likely if you're replaced it recently)
- Buggered motherboard

I'd say try it with another PSU if you can (maybe borrow one off a mate) and, failing that, you'll have to get a new motherboard and rebuild the system

 

[JBP|]

i had exactly the same problem last weekend


mine was a faulty motherboard and is currently waiting to be sent back to the retailers for testing

99% chance your having similar problems

 

[phlash]

It might be worth reseating the CPU and checking all the off-board connectors before chucking the MoBo, but the guys are probably right, that sounds like a dead'un

 

[SheepCow]

Check capacitors on the motherboard, make sure none of them have bulged at the top, and make sure none of them have goo on top of them.

About 6 capacitors on my old Epox 8RDA+ popped a few days ago, it still turned on etc but refused to do much else (complaining on memory errors, thanks to the onboard LED display).

It seems that there's a company that uses a buggered electrolyte that builds up gas over time in the capacitor and pops eventually.

Although Abit say they don't use the dodgey capcitors, infact they say they'll replace any board that has capacitor problems ...

 

[wyrd_fish]

putting about 24V through a 0.1uF capasator is fun, but dangerous

 

[Stimpy]

Thanks for the advice guys, I've checked everything over, tried a friends PSU and even took the whole thing apart and put it back together but still nothing, everything looked ok no burning or anything, I guess it's time to buy a new motherboard, I checked when I bought this one was January 2003 - bollox, I just hope it is the motherboard and I don't end up buying piece by piece till it works

 

[Stimpy]

Well my new motherboard arrived an hour ago, I was a little worried it may not be the problem but it seems ok, I think my processor may be dying to because at full whack it seems to have a heartattack so I've clocked it at 1500+ for now see how long it lasts.
The reason I'm posting is the new motherboard I bought an Abit KD7A must have been designed by a 3 year old, the stupid twats have put the power connector under the CPU slot, so you have a great big heatsink sitting on it and so you can't actually reach the power connector - idiots
A picture to illustrate.

 

[wyrd_fish]

doh...

well now you know to always to look at a picture first

and read many reviews

 

[Gef]

Proabably a bit late to mention this but I once had similar problem with a work PC. The sys admin here was ready to chuck it out, it just kept resetting itself.

Turns out the power button was stuck in the 'on' position, funny, had the whole thing in bits .. the simplest solution however improbable it usually right