computer borken :(

[Gafgarionn]

My computer decided to crap out on me last night for no apparent reason while I was on FFXI. I was literally going about my business when all of a sudden the whole computer freezes up for a couple seconds, then a blue screen pops up telling me there's a hardware problem, but it didn't really stay around long enough for me to read it all. Anyways, everything inside the machine is getting power, but nothing is appearing on the screen. I tried reseating everything and getting all the dust out, but it didn't do anything.

I think it's either a video card or processor problem, but since I can't even turn it on I don't know how to check. Help me fix my compy BG ; ;

[Tajin]

if you know what you are doing, unplug everything, and get some electrical parts cleaner take out the RAM and clean the contacts, as well as the video card, now, with everything unplugged, install the ram and the video card and see if the BIOS comes up.

If it turns on, keep plugging stuff and rebooting until everything works fine. You should try with RAM only and then video card + RAM if you can identify when your computer is starting up without errors.

[Xfaustx]

if you knwo what you are doing, unplug everything, and get some electrical parts cleaner take out the RAM and clean the contacts, as well as the video card, now, with everything unplugged, install the ram and the video card and see if the BIOS comes up.

If it turns on, keep plugging stuff and rebooting until everything works fine. You should try with RAM only and then video card + RAM if you can identify when your computer is starting up without errors.

DONT LISTEN TO HIM. ITS A TRAP!!!

[Tajin]

-_- bored lil' padawan?

[Xfaustx]

dont pull your obi wan kanobi shit on me. ill rape your face. but yes i am bored. >.>

[Koga]

If you can hear your PC starting up and hear loading sounds (if you have sound activated when loading) then try hooking up to another Monitor.

Also what type of monitor do you have and how old is it?
If you ahve a LCD/Flatscreen it may have burned out on you; I had that problem recently. With the BSOD it might be something like the OP said as well.

[Tajin]

Obi wan aint got nothing on me yo.



O.T. Mopar Electrical Contact Cleaner (NON-CHLORINATED) is what i use to clean the ram/addon cards pins, just keep it away from plastic surfaces, and use very very small amounts of it for cleaning.

[Gafgarionn]

Well, I just got a can of air and cleaned out the heatsink on my vid card. I doubt it's the monitor because it's less than 6 months old, but I'll give it a try.

edit: Actually, I just realized that my other monitor is broken too, so I have nothing to test it with at the moment -_-... I was wondering though... Since I got a blue screen right before it shutdown wouldn't that eliminate the monitor as a possible suspect? I dunno how monitors work of course but you'd think if it blew out it wouldn't be able to give a message.

[Gafgarionn]

if you know what you are doing, unplug everything, and get some electrical parts cleaner take out the RAM and clean the contacts, as well as the video card, now, with everything unplugged, install the ram and the video card and see if the BIOS comes up.

If it turns on, keep plugging stuff and rebooting until everything works fine. You should try with RAM only and then video card + RAM if you can identify when your computer is starting up without errors.

So I should take out my CPU too?

[Tajin]

No, leave the CPU in its place. Just cleant the dust around it.

Everythign else is "safe" to unplug if you know what you're doing.


(Do not unplug the cables of the case to the motherboard tho...)

[Koga]

Well, I just got a can of air and cleaned out the heatsink on my vid card. I doubt it's the monitor because it's less than 6 months old, but I'll give it a try.

edit: Actually, I just realized that my other monitor is broken too, so I have nothing to test it with at the moment -_-... I was wondering though... Since I got a blue screen right before it shutdown wouldn't that eliminate the monitor as a possible suspect? I dunno how monitors work of course but you'd think if it blew out it wouldn't be able to give a message.

You never know.
Do what OP said, and if you don't find the problem then look to test the monitor.

[Gafgarionn]

Well... I think I might've just broke the heatsink on my CPU in the process of trying to fix the computer... It has these four shitty plastic things that are supposed to be pushed through holes on the motherboard, and now two of them won't go back in.

Anyways, I can still get power to the motherboard and all the fans but nothing shows up on my monitor. Any best guests on which part to replace first? I'm thinking it's my video card, but now that my heatsink to the CPU is broken I might have to replace that one too, unless I can just buy the heatsink separately and keep my old CPU.

[Isiolia]

I'd suspect RAM as well.

Is it POSTing (are you getting that beep after you turn it on)?

[Tajin]

I'd suspect RAM as well.

Is it POSTing (are you getting that beep after you turn it on)?

Sorry about your heatsink :/

[Gafgarionn]

Haha it's cool... the way it's supposed to connect is really poorly designed. Anyways, the motherboard is posting and everything is getting power I assume (all the fans turning on, all the lights turning on, etc.). I really doubt it's the RAM just because I have two separate sticks and I reseated them; they weren't dusty and appeared normal.

[Koga]

Haha it's cool... the way it's supposed to connect is really poorly designed. Anyways, the motherboard is posting and everything is getting power I assume (all the fans turning on, all the lights turning on, etc.). I really doubt it's the RAM just because I have two separate sticks and I reseated them; they weren't dusty and appeared normal.

Do you have a Integrated V-Chip/Card you can plug into? or even another V-Card you can swap out for your current?

[Gafgarionn]

Nope. I ended up calling a computer repair service to come and look at it tomorrow. I feel like a noob for doing it, but I pretty much have to get it fixed before I go back to school. I'm just hoping it's something small...