Dead machine

[Jupitus]

My old machine which my lad now uses has died, and I'm after a bit of assistance in figuring out what went wrong.

Machine is a P4 2.6 GHz Intel CPU in an Intel mobo, with a radeon 9700 pro gfx card, standard HDU and CD etc.

He describes the failure thus:

"It suddenley made a winding down sound like being shut down, the screen went green and garbled like the matrix for a few seconds then off"

After this it would not boot, and more worryingly there were no post beeps or anything. So far we have:

1. Tried different power cables
2. Tried a brand new PSU

Neither worked, so I'm thinking it's the mobo... however, looking into the case I can definitely see a lit LED on the mobo...

Comments, suggestions, recommended diagnostic sequence?

 

[tris-]

try re-seating all the pci cards? new gpu?

 

[Jupitus]

I may have a 9800 pro I can throw in as a test.... I'll try that next.

 

[TdC]

it almost sounds like your gfx card's fan failed and the gpu fried Jup
swapping out the card for another like you intend sould give you more insights.

 

[Jupitus]

Thing is, if it was the GFX card why wouldn't the machine POST?

 

[TdC]

um iirc the VGA BIOS inits before the mobo BIOS, that is why. or am I not understanding you?

 

[Jupitus]

You understand me TdC, which is not always true the other way round

Thanks - I'll try the GFX card

 

[TdC]

swapped it out yet old man?

 

[Jupitus]

I'm at work!!!!

 

[tris-]

if GPU makes no difference, reseating PCI cards makes no difference, take out pci altogether. if possible, use onboard VGA (?).

failing that, i give up

 

[TdC]

I'm at work!!!!

so am I :touch: