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Date: | Sun, 13 Jul 2008 02:06:30 +1000 |
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I'm working on a 6-year old Pentium 3 running XP for a friend. She can't
afford a new computer or a full upgrade right now.
This computer completes POST with the usual "OK" one-beep, then stops at
"press delete to enter setup" screen with the usual POST info. Memory-check
appears OK.
Pressing delete or anything else has no effect. It seems to be frozen
there. There's no further hard drive activity. XP doesn't seem to be
starting to load.
Holding down Delete or F8/F10 at power-on gives the same result, so I can't
even get into Safe Mode.
Powering on and off via the power button seems fine.
I suspect a failed video card (I've tried reseating it).
What are the other possibilities? Would a failed hard drive still show the
POST screen?
On removing the cover, the power supply vents are completely gunked
up--looks like it's never had an internal clean in 6 years.
Could a fried power supply still give an OK POST?
If the CPU were cooked, could it still POST? It doesn't feel hot.
I don't want to spend much money repairing such an old computer, but $5 for
a used video card on Ebay should be OK if I could be reasonably sure that's
the problem.
But I'm wondering---if the video card is bad, would I see the POST screen
at all?
What would the experts do (with no spares to substitute)?
In summary---would I see the POST screen in the event of:
1. Failed hard drive
2. Failed video card
3. Failed CPU
4. Failed mobo.
5. Failed RAM.
Or failed anything else?
Don Penlington
From the Beach at Surfers Paradise in sunny Queensland.
Computer tutorials, local scenery, and other things at my website:
http://users.tpg.com.au/deepend/index1.html
The NOSPIN Group Promotions is now offering
our special coffee mugs and mouse pads
with the PCBUILD logo... at a great price!!!
http://freepctech.com/goodies/promotions.shtml
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