Blair Perkins wrote:
>
> Having a hard time with a friends computer.  All was fine until he added
> some software (QEMM, disk manager, etc).  Computer stopped working properly,
> will not boot. He opened the lid, moved cards around, plugged and unplugged cables, etc. etc.  Hopefully he knew what he was doing !!!!

    Obviously not. *;-) Software problems with the OS don't necessitate
a visit to the inside hardware.

> BIOS seems to be intact.  The BIOS info screen shows, but then the cursor
> will simply flash.  I have double checked all connection, no problems.  I
> have even removed all cables to the HDD controller card except the FDD.  The
> computer will not boot from the HD or FD.
> I now suspect a HDD controller (but if I unplug the cable to FD I get an
> error) or the MB.

   Fortunately for my sanity I don't see too many older PCs anymore that
have controller cards, but based on my foggy memory I recall the HDD
controller error message usually will appear on the screen early in the
boot. If there is no message it could be OK, but you may need to
doublecheck that all the jumper blocks are set correctly (tricky without
the manual sheet for the I/O card). Have you checked the number one pin
for all ribbon cables to verify they are connected to the proper pins on
each end for the floppy and hard drives?

   Another guess...if it doesn't go into Setup then the problems may be
motherboard or battery failures. There are lots of things to look for on
a boot problem...spare parts help to narrow down the troubleshooting. Go
back and recheck all power cables and remove all extraneous cards
(sound, modem, etc..) and just leave the video card in place.

   Without a full description of the machine (like model, manufacturer,
important specs) it is difficult to help by email. Some older purebred
IBMs have diagnostic boot floppies needed to revive a sick machine. What
are you using to boot with for the floppy drive? I prefer a Win98 boot
floppy myself and having Norton Utilities handy.

Good luck,

      Russell Smith  Educational Technology Consultant, Journalist
        Region 14 Education Service Center  Abilene, Texas 79601
         http://camalott.com/~rssmith  mailto:[log in to unmask]
              Better Schools Build Better Communities!

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