computer died

[Ziggy]

The POST doesn't really check the RAM. I mean, it checks that it's there, but it doesn't actually test it. It pretty much just counts it.

Even though you're not getting any beep codes, you can still check for a bad RAM stick. If there's multiple sticks of RAM in there, try booting the computer with just one stick at a time and see what happens. If there's a bad stick, you can find it with process of elimination. It's worth a shot since it doesn't take very long to do.

You weren't really clear, you said you can't even get into the BIOS. So when you turn the computer on, do you see the POST screen. Or when you turn it on, it's just a black screen from the start? That could be a bad video card. If that mobo has on board video, you can take the video card out and switch to on board video and see if anything happens. Otherwise, you'd have to swap in a spare video card. This is the reason I keep a seemingly useless video card around.

edit: If that computer does have on board video, if you take the video card out and switch to on board and you still get a black screen, clear the CMOS then try again.

It could possibly be a bad PSU. It could be supplying enough power to get the LEDs on and the fans blowing but not enough to power, say, the video card (That model HP came with a 9800GT, is that what you still have in there? HP probably put a real cheap-o card in there). You wont get beep codes for that either. Again, if you have a spare PSU you can swap it in to test. Otherwise, you need a PSU tester. You can get a decent PSU tester from New Egg for like 15 bucks. Radio Shack use to carry them, but there's a reason I call them Radio Shit these days.

How's the inside of the tower? Dusty at all? Particularly the heatsink and fan for the CPU, is that all clogged up with dust? If the computer is overheating it will shut down, but it could also freeze I guess. This doesn't exactly sound like the problem your having though, but clean it out anyway if it needs it. Also check to see if the heatsink for the CPU is still properly mounted. I'm not sure why, but there's people in the world smart enough to make quad core CPUs with a gazillion transistors but apparently we don't know how to mount a heatsink on it with a design that doesn't suck.

Anyways, if you get a black screen right from the start (no POST screen or anything) I would guess video card. At least, that's the first thing I'd check. A bad PSU, motherboard, or RAM are good runner ups. Box makers (what we call HP, Dell, ect) have the worst PSUs. And unless they have a third party (like Asus) make a motherboard for them, you can bet the mobo isn't exactly top notch either. And unless they actually advertise a brand name RAM, you can assume they used the cheapest RAM available to them.

[Hazerd]

I hope you figure out your problem SpaceBooger, but i still stand that pre-builts are crap and im hoping you build your next computer, but your problem could literally be anything and without replacement parts to swap in and out to see if it's a certain component it's hard to tell what the problem could be.

Personally i had a computer one time where the PSU died, but when i would press the power button it would still sputter up and the LED's would light and the fans would run, then it would just shut off.

If you can find a PSU to swap in and out, it would certainly be a good place to start.

Pre-built's generally use cheap motherboards/ram and PSU's, the other parts can be hit and miss, HDD's and GPU's can generally be a better quality.

[isiolia]

Pre-built's generally use cheap motherboards/ram and PSU's, the other parts can be hit and miss, HDD's and GPU's can generally be a better quality.

They're usually low end/barebones parts, but the motherboard quality isn't necessarily bad. The OP's machine has a motherboard made by ASUS. Not that they can't still fail, but it's not an eMachines.


I'd reseat components and perhaps rotate through unplugging drives. It's possible that a half-seated card or RAM is causing the system to hang, or it could be getting stuck trying to read a dead HDD. Could also be that the power circuitry on the motherboard is toast, so it'll light up, fans will spin, but the board is dead.

[SpaceBooger]

Thanks everyone. Ok so I tried the video card and ram swap, neither worked and yes everything inside is the stock stuff. I really don't have a large amount of cash to build a new one, I buy prebuilt because I can get a year no interest at best buy.
Any other ideas, or since I'm on my phone anyone want to scout bestbuy.com for a decent rig less than a grand and post links?

[Hazerd]

Thanks everyone. Ok so I tried the video card and ram swap, neither worked and yes everything inside is the stock stuff. I really don't have a large amount of cash to build a new one, I buy prebuilt because I can get a year no interest at best buy.
Any other ideas, or since I'm on my phone anyone want to scout bestbuy.com for a decent rig less than a grand and post links?

So you want a computer for less than a Grand, but youre paying in installment right?

If you could lay down $1000 all at once, you could build a sweet-ass rig, because pre-builts are WAY over-priced for what you get.

but here

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Pavili ... Id=4602991

Also, should watch this 3 part series of Video's on how to build a computer from Newegg.com

[SpaceBooger]

Thanks everyone. Ok so I tried the video card and ram swap, neither worked and yes everything inside is the stock stuff. I really don't have a large amount of cash to build a new one, I buy prebuilt because I can get a year no interest at best buy.
Any other ideas, or since I'm on my phone anyone want to scout bestbuy.com for a decent rig less than a grand and post links?

So you want a computer for less than a Grand, but youre paying in installment right?

If you could lay down $1000 all at once, you could build a sweet-ass rig, because pre-builts are WAY over-priced for what you get.

but here

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Pavili ... Id=4602991

Also, should watch this 3 part series of Video's on how to build a computer from Newegg.com

I used to build all my own PCs until this one, but supporting a family of 5 on one salary means ptebuilt with no interest is the only route. Is that PC linked any good?

I'm thinking power supply... I'll try replacing that on Saturday.

[Hazerd]

Unfortunately pre-built specs like on Best Buy's website leave alot to be desired, i have no idea what the PSU is as far as wattage, and the video card is low end, but as far as pre-builts go, this is pretty good, not sure if you prefer AMD/Intel, i have had 2 AMD computers in the past and have finally switched to a Intel for a change of pace but i still am in love with AMD(ATI) GPU's.

[SpaceBooger]

I'm wondering of it could be the power supply... When I got home from work the computer was froze and the screen was working (time said 8:53) and on reboot the screen stayed black (no check, HP logo, bios) and the hd light never came on either. Could it be the power supply?

[SpaceBooger]

any ideas on these:
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/HP+-+Deskto ... &cp=1&lp=2
or
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/iBuyPower+- ... Id=4911262

[Ziggy]

Thanks everyone. Ok so I tried the video card and ram swap, neither worked and yes everything inside is the stock stuff. I really don't have a large amount of cash to build a new one, I buy prebuilt because I can get a year no interest at best buy.
Any other ideas, or since I'm on my phone anyone want to scout bestbuy.com for a decent rig less than a grand and post links?

If you get approved, you can get 12 months no interest on NewEgg purchases. That's how I built my current desktop. It's really worth it, so you wont be back here in a year or two making a thread just like this one. You'll have a much, MUCH better computer than anything in Best Buy (assuming you build it using good parts - you can build a computer using parts just as shitty as prebuilt). I'm talking in your budget, too.

You can use some parts from your current HP too, as a way to keep cost down (of course, you can upgrade later when you have the money) if you want. Like the optical drive, if it's a decent drive there's no reason to get a new one. Or the video card, if it's working fine then there's no reason to get a new one (yet). And the case, if it's a decent case that uses the standardized ATX design, you can use it for your new build. I recently did this with my brother's computer (a Compaq) and now he's got a great rig.