What signs indicate a dead PC without any sounds or beeps?
What signs indicate a dead PC without any sounds or beeps?
Hello everyone, I hope you can help me find a solution.
I’m considering replacing the old PC with a newer, more capable one—still an older model.
Both systems are functioning properly, so I thought I’d test a simple idea: swap the SSDs and see if it works.
I placed her SSD in and powered it on, hoping for a quick start.
It booted up, went through its old BIOS settings for the graphics card, then into Windows 10.
It displayed an outdated 800x600 resolution screen, but it was running in Windows 10 and seemed to be preparing drivers for new hardware.
While that was happening, I went to make coffee. When I returned, the PC was still on, but there was no screen output and the monitor had gone off.
I restarted it, and since then... nothing. The fans and lights came on, but the display remained inactive.
It stayed on the display port, so I tried other connections like HDMI and DVI, but nothing worked.
I changed the graphics card and the monitor, but still nothing.
It looks like the system isn’t even sending any signals, as there are no beeps, and the hard drive activity light stays lit (not flashing).
When I tried booting without the SSD, no BIOS information appeared, and everything seemed to be loose—cables checked, RAM replaced, graphics card swapped.
I unplugged the motherboard battery for 30 seconds, reconnected it, and tried again.
After that, I powered off the PC and left it off for a while. When I came back on, it started but stayed completely silent—no output at all.
It was still connected via display port, so I tested other ports, but nothing changed.
It seems like the motherboard might be dead, even though it was working before. It’s old, but it could still be functional.
Any advice on how to troubleshoot this situation?
(And the motherboard doesn’t have built-in graphics.)
I believe the "Just swap SSD's" approach didn’t work well. It probably happened because the system was running Windows 10 with an older 800x600 resolution display, and it was preparing drivers for new hardware. Please update your message to contain detailed system specifications, including full hardware details and operating system info. PSU: make, model, wattage, age, condition (original to build, new, refurbished, used). Disk drive(s): make, model, capacity, current usage? Try a reset according to the motherboard manual followed by replacing the CMOS battery. If that fails, consider performing a clean Windows installation.
the old 600 x 800 display uses the graphics card in basic mode without drivers.
installing a driver is necessary for improved performance at higher resolutions.
That's exactly what happened, which is why I didn't react at all. The original system had a 9600 GTI, while the new one was GTX970. Both use Nvidia, but they're from different generations, so I thought it would automatically switch to basic mode and then update the drivers.
You're asking about the meaning of "fizzled" and whether it implies failure. If you mean it simply failed, then I get it—understood. But it shouldn't stop the machine from posting BIOS? That's confusing. (No idea how to perform a clean Windows install like you suggested.)
Anyway, the setup is an ASUS Deluxe V2 (considered old), running the latest BIOS version 1202. The PSU is a Corsair CX750M (original), and the drive is a Samsung 840 SSD with 250GB, about half full. I'm planning to check the Mobo reset option. I've already removed or replaced the battery, but maybe I need to adjust a jumper.
Consider starting in Safe Mode. = = = = Clean installation available: https://forums.
I dont think you are comprehending the challenge.. If I cant see any BIOS/boot messages.. and consequently I not seeing ANYTHING, from windows or whatever.. bootable media..nothing..
I have started/reset it enough to prompt the auto win 10 drop into recovery mode.. but I cant see anything on the monitor to be able to see what might or might not be happening..
I need to get to see the BIOS post.. if I cant see that.. I am done for?
I did reset motherboard by resting RTC with jumper move.. and have tried to reload BIOs (if you plug in USB with BIOS file.. it suppoed to detect on boot and update), but nothing showing on screen.. so god knows if it worked (if it did.. no change)
Observed modifications made to monitors, GPU, cables, etc. Running out of possible causes. Do you have access to another functioning PSU that can be replaced? Keep in mind that PSUs deliver varying voltages (3, 5, and 12) to the system, which means some parts might seem powered on while others fail. Make sure to use only the cables that came with the PSU being swapped.
Hmm.. good call.... I think it mobo, but power is a good call.
I dont have a spare.. but do have another machine I could strip it out of and test.
I hate power supplies as it always a spaghetti mess to swap around.
If I dont pluck up the courage.. I may just abandon it and strip it for parts.. not sure its a big enough upgrade for my wife to make the effort worthwhile.
Either way.. thanks for your help.
Understood.
If you possess a multimeter and understand its use, you can assess the PSU to some degree.
Note:
https://www.lifewire.com/how-to-manually...er-2626158
This isn't a complete test since the PSU isn't under load. Still, any voltages outside tolerance would further raise concerns about the PSU.