| Author | Thread |
|
|
04/29/2007 11:16:17 AM · #1 |
I met a guy that collects computers, but does not know much about them.
He sells these to people that can not afford new machines. I get the task of figuring out what wrong with those that need fixed. The one I am working on now is a compaq 6020 with windows XP. The only thing on this computer was changed was the power supply or course with a used one.
So here is what it is doing after reboot, all the start windows are fine then as the welcome window comes up it fades out and then just black
screen. I can turn the monitor on and off to see the desk top, which is a real pain in the ass if your trying to work on it. It does not last but a second.
I have search online till I have a headache. I even went to the compaq site and downloaded the update for the BIOS. I am and at a lost trying to decide if the mother board is bad or maybe the power supply is not strong enough. I also put another video card in and had the same results.
Of course we have no investment in this machine yet and a new mother board is 143.00 I don't know what a power supply runs, but still would make someone a good machine.
So I ask you all if you know what might be the problem before I start buying new goodies. |
|
|
|
04/29/2007 11:18:04 AM · #2 |
| I'd start by trying another monitor, to make sure it's not a problem there rather than in the computer. |
|
|
|
04/29/2007 11:20:10 AM · #3 |
|
|
|
04/29/2007 11:21:20 AM · #4 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
I'd start by trying another monitor, to make sure it's not a problem there rather than in the computer. |
Ditto, this sounds like a monitor issue not a mobo one. If you can turn the monitor off and then back on and see the desktop, the power supply and motherboard are working just fine. If they weren't, you wouldn't be able to see that. Test it out with another monitor first and see how that goes.
|
|
|
|
04/29/2007 11:27:52 AM · #5 |
What happens if you boot into "safe mode"?
To get into "safe mode", repeatedly press the F8 key while booting until the menu pops up. Then choose "safe mode".
If everything views corectly, than you may need a new video driver. Go to Compaq's site and look for a support/downloads link.
Message edited by author 2007-04-29 11:29:20. |
|
|
|
04/29/2007 11:51:55 AM · #6 |
| Been there done that. Done all the above. |
|
|
|
04/29/2007 12:05:09 PM · #7 |
Is the video from computer "video on board" as in comes out of the mb directly as opposed to out of a card which is then snapped into the mb?
If it is a video card it is easy enough to find a cheap one to replace it with.
If it is video on mb then you would need to replace the whole mb which might be more than it is worth to do it. If that is the case you might want to use this one as a parts machine for future ones you will be fixing.
I would also highly reccomend the site www.annoyances.org because there are lots of smart folks on their help boards that may have already answered your problem. And since it is set up nice to be searchable...
good luck. :)
Bass |
|
|
|
04/29/2007 12:05:37 PM · #8 |
Is it like the monitor is going to sleep mode?
Edit: Retracting my bet!
Here's a list of stuff I'm finding in forums. Some of which you say you've already done:
1) I thought I was stretching too far in thinking people can set the power save mode to where it almost instantly shuts the monitor off, but I found a thread where a guy said they used to do that to people as a joke.
2) Power supply
3) Video card / Video card + MB conflict / Drivers / Driver conflict
4) Monitor refresh rate
5) Monitor itself
6) BIOS
I might be leaning towards monitor refresh rate being set wrong now.. That option sounds interesting, heh
(Right click on a blank area of the desktop, and select Properties. choose the settings tab, and click on the advanced button. On the next page, choose the monitor tab, and check the refresh rate.)
Message edited by author 2007-04-29 12:34:34. |
|
|
|
04/29/2007 12:24:12 PM · #9 |
Could be all of the above...but here's a couple other things to check.
Doing the F8 thing at boot up explained above, instead of trying to go into safe mode, go to the DOS prompt. If the DOS screen stays on as it should instead of fading out like it did with Windows...may not be the monitor or M.Brd.
Right now I am not sure if it is F8 or F5 at start up, but try both until you see where you can load up system files one by one. Enter "y" for yes until you get to Video... then say no. It is possible that the Video software is 'defaulted' to something, whether it be a different monitor or video card, or a shortened suspend, or standby mode.
Last thing, or first depending how you want to do it I guess, go into your CMOS (usually hitting "Delete" at start-up) and make sure of the video settings.
These are obviously all guesses. I was A+ certified back in the mid 1990s, but other than working on my own ( and my family's) systems, I really haven't been into working on them. And, I have to say that I am much more familiar with the WIN98Se op. system and am not sure all of what I have explained above are pertinent to XP. But....we'll hope.
If none of these things work, or help, let me know. I do have a few books around here and my baby brother is over certified in all things computer, MAC or PC, and I might be able to get him to stop long enough to ask him.
Good Luck
Mike
|
|
|
|
04/29/2007 03:30:31 PM · #10 |
What Dantzr said is a great idea. You don't necessarily have to bring up a dos prompt, just bring up anything. If the monitor correctly displays this and doesn't fade out you can rule out the monitor and the mobo as the problem. I think someone mentioned using the onboard video out, give that a try as the vid card could be bad. Are there multiple cards in the PCI slots or are there extra components that were added to the computer after market? If not, then I wouldn't think it's the power supply. It should be able to power that PC and a video card no problem (unless it's bad). If the power supply is bad, it shouldn't be able to power anything though.
|
|
|
|
04/30/2007 11:52:49 AM · #11 |
Would like to thank you all for your imput. I got it running after pressing the on and off button a few hundred times. First step, hook to the net, second go to compaq site download all the oringinal drivers and finally, after weeding thought all the errors. She runs like a new one. Was big pain in my ass but it was worth it.
Have a great day, Mark |
|
