The Conservative Cave

The Help Desk => Computer Related Discussions & Questions => Topic started by: djones520 on October 29, 2008, 10:14:20 PM

Title: So... my computer just died.
Post by: djones520 on October 29, 2008, 10:14:20 PM: Brand new machine. Built it about 4 months ago. Tonight, I walked into the room, and Windows was frozen. I powered the machine off, then tried turning it back on a few seconds later, and it just started to beep at me.

I had concerns that the processor might have fried, because the fan I had placed on it wasn't exactly spec, but I checked it and it didn't feel hot at all.

So I'm at a loss for what the issue might be. Anyone ever deal with this before?
Title: Re: So... my computer just died.
Post by: Chris on October 29, 2008, 10:16:13 PM: Did you remember to put thermal paste on the CPU?
Title: Re: So... my computer just died.
Post by: Chris_ on October 29, 2008, 10:17:27 PM: Are you logged on?
Title: Re: So... my computer just died.
Post by: djones520 on October 29, 2008, 10:18:18 PM: No clue what that is, but the processor seemed just fine. it wasn't hot, it wasn't melted or stuck to the circuit at all.
Title: Re: So... my computer just died.
Post by: djones520 on October 29, 2008, 10:20:35 PM: Quote from: freedumb2003 on October 29, 2008, 10:17:27 PM
Are you logged on?

To what?
Title: Re: So... my computer just died.
Post by: Chris_ on October 29, 2008, 10:20:47 PM: Quote from: djones520 on October 29, 2008, 10:18:18 PM
No clue what that is, but the processor seemed just fine. it wasn't hot, it wasn't melted or stuck to the circuit at all.

No beeps? That is how Motherboards "tell" you they are damaged or unhappy.

But you build them yourself -- you already knew that, yes?
Title: Re: So... my computer just died.
Post by: Woody on October 30, 2008, 01:22:28 AM: The vast majority of failures I see are memory and hard drive related. Unplug everything but the processor, memory, and video card, and reseat those. Use thermal paste between the fan and the CPU; it's a silvery grease that transmits heat to the fan. See if it's still hosed.

If it's still dead, you may have fried your processor. I've only seen one of those, and even it was questionable.
Title: Re: So... my computer just died.
Post by: LC EFA on October 30, 2008, 02:08:03 AM: Quote from: freedumb2003 on October 29, 2008, 10:20:47 PM
No beeps? That is how Motherboards "tell" you they are damaged or unhappy.

But you build them yourself -- you already knew that, yes?

Re-seat the Video and RAM modules. I can't count the number of times I had a machine arrive on my desk where POST beeps were resolved by a simple re-seat. It's especially worth considering if the machine is exposed to a fairly variable temperature range.

Failing that, note the POST code and then RTFM. :p
Title: Re: So... my computer just died.
Post by: djones520 on October 30, 2008, 09:21:44 AM: Quote from: LC EFA on October 30, 2008, 02:08:03 AM
Re-seat the Video and RAM modules. I can't count the number of times I had a machine arrive on my desk where POST beeps were resolved by a simple re-seat. It's especially worth considering if the machine is exposed to a fairly variable temperature range.

Failing that, note the POST code and then RTFM. :p

You da man. Worked like a charm.
Title: Re: So... my computer just died.
Post by: Chris_ on October 30, 2008, 03:36:42 PM: Quote from: djones520 on October 30, 2008, 09:21:44 AM
You da man. Worked like a charm.

Your computer is happy now?

Good deal!