O/T: Computer question, no boot

Anonymous-0 · Dec 6, 2009

I'm working on an older pc for a friend. It's no-name unit, ECS P6STP-FL (v. 1.1) motherboard and Phoenix BIOS. On startup I get one long beep but nothing on the monitor. I've tried a different video card, 4 different memory sticks, same results. Also Phoenix doesn't show a BIOS beep code of only a single beep. They're all 3-beep combinations. What's up with this thing? Board problem?

Tractor info: used to have a Farmall M, want another one. Am I safe now?

Thanks to all who respond, suggestions and opinions are appreciated. I know this isn't a pc board, but there's almost unlimited knowledge here and I apologize to those who are offended by this post.

Have a nice day!

Anthony

TomH in PA · Dec 6, 2009

The single beep means the Power On Self Test is complete and it's trying to boot. Sounds like a bad chip somewhere on the motherboard. Replacement would be far cheaper than trying to fix one that old.

An M is a good tractor, I like the old simple ones that run forever...

Walterdavies · Dec 6, 2009

That's funny, dump the 5 year old computer but get a50 year old tractor. Is something wrong here or are going though a stage in life.
Walt

greenbeanman in Kansas · Dec 6, 2009

My take is that updating a 5 year old computer percentage wise is marginally a pure waste of money whereas renewing what needs to be done on a 50 year old low tech tractor is not. The tractor will hold value far far longer percentage wise than an older computer.

Sort of like cars---easier and cheaper to maintain the ignition system on an old car verses the modern electronics of a newer one. Modules, etc. I do recognize that the modern one will last many more miles but in 30-50 years which can still be repaired readily and reasonably? Will the street rodders of today even be able to rod the 30-40-50 year old cars as done during my and maybe your era?

TomH in PA · Dec 6, 2009

Walt -

It seems like a contradiction. On the other hand, if I had to choose between fixing an M for $100 or getting a new, modern tractor with twice the horsepower for $600 I probably wouldn't fix the M either...

440roadrunner · Dec 6, 2009

Don't discount power supply/ connector problems. My standard procedure for a questionable motherboard---usually on the way to the trash can, was to remove it from the case, inspect the top and bottom for physical damage, and then lay out on the table, and hook up ONLY

Motherboard, good RAM, and processor

Make sure the processor is properly seated, sometimes removing/ reseating might ease your mind

Display card and monitor

Power supply and keyboard

THAT IS ALL. No floppy, no other drives, no other cardslots filled

Hurryin_Hoosier · Dec 6, 2009

Relatively short beep indicates POST successful. If that is the case I'd look at the hard drive next to see if OS is loading.

Very long beep (continuous?) with Phoenix BIOS typically indicates no keyboard detected, power supply problem, or mobo problem.

Howard H. · Dec 6, 2009

Try reseating the RAM, any add-in cards, and the drive cables.

Also, you might try a different keyboard & mouse.. & different RAM if you have some...

If the CDROM tray opens & closes & the fan(s) seem to spin up OK, it is probably not the power supply. You'd think if it has power to beep, that also would signal a good power supply, but I worked on one one time that a new power supply cured, even though it could beep diagnostics.

If none of those things help, you just as well find a different PC because the motherboard has likely failed.

Howard

Dblair · Dec 6, 2009

one beep it's ok , sounds like the monitor, no bios on screen it's the monitor.

glennster · Dec 6, 2009

ya know walt, MY computer at home is the compac presario 6009 that my wife didnt want and then my daughter didnt want it, so i got it. it still runs. GOOD!!! both of their new super dee duper ones have crashed numerous times, and daughters is in the shop again (wont boot windows) even my computer at the shop is the old clanky one. but it still works!!! and btw.... i still have 3 m"s and they still earn their keep!!!

O/T: Computer question, no boot

Anonymous-0

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TomH in PA

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Walterdavies

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greenbeanman in Kansas

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TomH in PA

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440roadrunner

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Hurryin_Hoosier

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Howard H.

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Dblair

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glennster

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