MY Cpu just died

[TofuNinja]

Well my main Dell. THree years old so no warranty on it.

Umm my question is is there a way to fix it. I think it is a problem with either my main harddrive or my BIOS. My CPU doesn't even boot up anymore. The lihts flash once, then the DVD and CDRW drives fire up, than.... nothing. My screen doesn't even turn on. The one times I did get a message it was about my BIOS being outdated.

I talked to my friend and he had me check my fans to see if my motherboard fried... but it didn't

The last thing I was doing before I noticed the problem was uploading music to my iPOD and checked my email. I shut down and left. Came back an hour later to find my CPU still on and stuck on the Shutting down page.

Is my CPU savable. I am sure my DVD and CDRW are as well as my backup harddrive.... but did my main harddrive crash? my Motherboard fry? Please advise..... If possible I may take it to a CPU person to check out. Thanks in Advance.

[DarkFury]

OK... for starters... when you are saying "Your CPU died"... you are really saying that your PC died right? You haven't verified that the actual CPU chip is the culprit in it not working right? (just checking).

If you are saying that your PC has died... well for starters... I would look at the memory first. Be sure that the memory hasn't become unseated from their slots. That being done... try to put a different stick of memory in your PC to see if it will fire up the video card. Many a time... that is your main culprit in situations like this. Bad memory will shut down a PC.

Next... look at your video card. Is it properly seated in it's slot? Make sure that it is. Or are you using an "on board" video from the motherboard. If so, try putting a AGP card in the slot and see if it fires up.

Does your PC have any "burnt smells" going on? If so... then you might have a serious problem. From what you described above, I don't think your P/S is the problem... since the drives are powering up. However it could be your motherboard... but I'd check the memory and video before jumping to that conclusion.

Good luck on your search for a fix. :D

[ArkiStan]

Just hope it's not your HDD. I believe no part of the computer, single or collective, is as valuable as your personal files.

[TofuNinja]

Thanks for the tips DF. Yeah my PC is dead not my CPU. I'll look into the Memory and the vid card and let you all know. No burnt smell so I guess that is good :)

[DarkFury]

BTW... to test your memory, go download a copy of memtest86. This will run from DOS to tell you if it is good. It's a very useful tool.

However you may have to use a different PC to format and prep the floppy to run it.

[TofuNinja]

Well I am not sure what it is. Nothing seems wrong....The memory is firmly in, no burnt smell. all things are plugged in. So I am left to think that it was a motherboard issue or a harddrive crash..... So I guess I'm gonna find a good computer guy here in the Westminster/Huntington Beach area to see if I need to get a new computer and what parts I can save and later use in the new cpu.... sigh. THanks for all the help.

[DarkFury]

Just cause the memory is firmly in, doesn't mean it can't be bad.

If you can, try another stick of memory in your system... and do it one stick at a time (to eliminate the possiblity that one of a pair is damaged.)

Also.. so you say you don't get any video at all? Do you get any beeps from the system while booting up? Did you make sure that your keyboard is firmly plugged in? Is the monitor cord firmly plugged into the video card? BTW.. you never said if you were using onboard video or not. Do you have a separate video card?

It very well could be the mobo... but I'd just like to eliminate all other possibilities before making that assessment.

[TofuNinja]

I don't have an extra Memory stick......... and I am not sure about the Vid Card.... ummm it's a Dell so .... I didn't upgrade....so I'll guess that it is an onboard.... I've plugged and unplugged the onitor many times. Making sure it is firmly in..... nothing. I am not computer savy so I am at my last options... I don't really want to take my computer to a stranger to try to fix it...... but what can you do..... Best Buy, Fry's and Circuit CIty are full of idiots and I wouldnt trust them with my computer at all.

[DarkFury]

Got any "techie friends" locally?

Outside of that... it sounds like a good time to start learning on how to work on your own system. :D (with help from the folks here... of course.)

Taking it in to a "computer repair shop" and you'll probably get hosed for at least $75 - $200 plus parts... so I'd try to avoid that if at all possible.

Question... do you have 2 mem sticks in it now? If so... take one out and try to fire it up. If it doesn't... switch the other one in and try to fire it. At least rule out the memory as a culprit before you take it to someone. Also it sure would be nice to swap in another Video card just to verify whether or not that is the problem. If you were here in Indy, I'd help ya get it fixed (or at least diagnosed to the point where the solution was more clear.)

Ultimately, it could be a dead motherboard... and if that is the case... you'll probably be better off salvaging what parts you currently have and building a new PC with an aftermarket case and a new motherboard.

[InfiniteNothing]

Consider taking it in to comp usa. It might be cheaper to repair than buy.

[DarkFury]

Consider taking it in to comp usa. It might be cheaper to repair than buy.
Well that would depend...

Spending $150 to repair an old Pentum III computer makes no sense... since for a few bucks more, you can have something 2 to 3 times more powerful and functional.

Honestly, I try not to chase bad money with good. As long as he can keep the repair cost under $100... he'd be good to go.

[kgsilvas]

You could take it to Fry's for repair. It's close by and their rates aren't bad.

[renovation]

i buy a new unit before i take it in for repair -its a old Pentum III if im hearing this right . its not worth the money ! things have improved so much and it wont be long . programs will be out that you want this may not run .plus you have had it long enought you owe it to yourself .a new computer the peace of mind knowing it has a warrienty and your not back here again soon .spending $150 or more trying to get it repaired !
just my personal feeling .you may ask if any members live near you they maybe willing to look at it for you and save you a bundle to :)

[TofuNinja]

It's a Pentium 4 actually.

Called CompUSA and they don't charge to take a look at it.... so..... I guess that is where I am heading. Then after they tell me what's up with my computer I'll see if I want to repair my P4 or get a new computer...... sigh.... I'll keep you updated Thanks again for the help

[Grimm]

Did you try hooking up a new PSU?

[TofuNinja]

Well the CompUSA guy says its my motherboard. He hookedup new Memory, nothing. New Vid Card, Nothing, new Power source... nothing.... All this for free.... so it's my motherboard :(

on the bright side, he did say that my DVD and CDW drivers are good and that my two hard drives are fine....

what's a PSU?

Just for my future knowledge.... should I post a question like this in tech support or hardware...."Post hardware news, tips, and questions here. Camera and cell phone talk welcomed here also". The Tech support is for questions on how to fix computer..... sorry.... just noticed that this could have gone to either....:)

[DarkFury]

what's a PSU?

Just for my future knowledge.... should I post a question like this in tech support or hardware...."Post hardware news, tips, and questions here. Camera and cell phone talk welcomed here also". The Tech support is for questions on how to fix computer..... sorry.... just noticed that this could have gone to either....:)
PSU = Power Supply Unit

Topics like this probably should go to "Technical Support" forum... however it does fit in both hardware and Tech support. :D

Personally, if I were you... I'd salvage your drives and have a head start to building a new PC with a new mobo (with upgraded CPU and memory) and case. However if you don't want to do that... it's a good time to probably upgrade and get in on one of the latest Dell deals.

Many folks upgrade on an 18 - 36 month interval anyways... so I guess it was just time. :D

[TofuNinja]

yeah I thought it could go into both, hence GAM didn't move it :)

My friend said that it probably would be best for me to just rebuild a new computer too. He said Fry's always has a decent motherboard plus CPU deal each week. So I think I'll go that route with his help

Unless dell has one of those two desktops for 800 deal again, which I doubt they will.....

Thanks for all your help and I'll keep you updated... You've been extra helpful DF :)