Computers & Networking

[PatG]

My computer won't boot if internal hard drive is connected.  Boots fine without it.  Able to access CMOS fine.

Swapped HD. Still no go.

When turning computer on with HD connected, CPU fan spins for 3 seconds then turns off.  No boot sequence 'beep'.   And, I need to depress the on/off button for 5 seconds before indicator light shuts off.

Disconnecting the SAT and 4-wire power cable, system boots fine.  Reconnecting the SAT only and system boots fine.  Disconnecting SAT and connecting power cable, won't run, as described above.

I tried a different power supply.  Same thing.  I also tested it with several different good HD's.

Would you suspect a cracked motherboard?  Or, can you suggest what else I might try? Thanks.

Pat

[Ron]

Definetely sounds like the motherboard. Did this just happen all of a sudden? Or did you upgrade the harddrive?

[PatG]

It was brought to me for repair.  This is the first time I ran into this type of problem.

POST code never sounded with HD installed but did the familiar short beep indicating normal POST when I disconnected HD and when connecting it only with eSAT.

It's been a few years since I worked on pc's (had spinal injury, now permanently disabled). So, I have one question: is it possible to boot from external HD?  Since all other systems function fine on this pc, I was going to suggest to client to use external HD, but I never used one and don't know if you can install o/s on one.

Thanks,

Pat

[Matthew-GS Retired: Community Advocate]

Welcome, PatG!

Glad to hear you are getting back into computer repairs!  Just wanted to lend a friendly suggestion regardingexternal HDD: consistency booting an OS from them can be tricky/risky, depending on themotherboard/BIOS/etc.  It is better to invest about the same amount of money for an internal HDD for stabilitysake. Have you run HDD tests via another computer?  If you have tried multiple HDD, however, it could be the motherboard.  Keep on troubleshooting, PatG.  Otherwise, no shame in getting diagnostics from a Geek Squad® Agent. 

Message Edited by Matthew-GS on 01-15-2009 02:14 PM

[PatG]

Hi Matthew,

Thanks for the reply.

Yep, I tried multiple HD's - ones that I'm sure are working.  As a matter of fact, I was successfully able to install the suspect HD in another computer. So, HD works.

I also tested with several different power supplies.  Same results.

I changed out SATA ribbon cable.  Same results.

Everything on the computer works except the HD when the 4-wire connector is attached.

I might just end up buying a new motherboard.

As far as computer repairs these days, I only help out family and friends.  Too old and too tired.  LOL

Pat

[Ron]

Yeah, I definitely would not recommend using an external harddrive. I have done it before but I was using a 3.5 HD and a harddrive enclosure with a cooling kit. I was connecting it via eSata so performance wasn't an issue. But it's definitely risky and would not use it as a permanent solution.

[Matthew-GS Retired: Community Advocate]

Hey PatG:

Is it possible there are some BIOS settings related to SATA that got changed or re-set to default through CMOS battery pull?   I would guess you have looked into this, but I have learned not to assume anything when it comes to troubleshooting.

[PatG]

Hey  Matthew,

I did pull the battery.  Always do.  I never had a problem with SATA settings.  Could you give more info? 

I also swapped the SATA cable.  But it made no difference.

I'll check out CMOS again and see what the settings are.

Thanks for the tip!

Pat

[Matthew-GS Retired: Community Advocate]

Sure, Pat!

Sometimes the BIOS settings have the SATA connections "disabled" by default - especially on older motherboards when SATA was new technology.  Since I am unfamiliar with your board, you could check with the board manufacturer website for motherboard or BIOS support. I trust you will find it after hunting around through the settings, though.  Best of luck, private message me if you need further help!

CAUTION:  To anyone unfamiliar with the term "BIOS" or "CMOS" - please seek help from a professional technician.  Changing these settings may have adverse effects on your hardware, up to and including permanent damage to your system. 

[9tailedfox]

The power supply unit may be going bad.