Computer testing 101

[Magnum]

> To fully test you need The motherboard, processor, RAM, power supply,
> video card, and a monitor.
> You also need either a case or a way of switching it on and off - a
> screwdriver to the pins will work, but hard to maintain.
>
> Start with the motherboard, CPU, power supply, and case(switch)
> connections. Power on. You should get a BIOS error beep code for no RAM.
> THis is good, it means the MB and processor are working.
>
> Add RAM and power on again. Another beep error code: no video. Good. If
> still no RAM: bad.
>
> Add the video card, hook up the monitor. Power on. You should get the
> BIOS screen and be able to enter the BIOS by pressing F2, or whatever.
>
> Configure the BIOS settings for what you are going to do, then start
> adding the rest of the components: hard drive, DVD/CD. Then load the OS.
> Install the modem/other devices after OS install.
>
> Any stop along the way will identify a bad component. This is easier
> then putting it all together and then working backward.
>
> Have fun!

Got some strange results.

Everything O.K. until I added the video card.

Then, the power supply fan would not spin and no BIOS beep any more.

LED light is still on for the power supply.

Taking card out got the same results.

Andy

[Magnum]

I think the switch on the front of the computer went "catty wonkus."

When I plug in computer, power goes immediately to the motherboard without hitting the switch.

Now I know why you guys get the big bucks.  :thumbu

[Magnum]

Lesson #1

Don't assume that an older video card will work in a newer motherboard.
(Shorted it out.)

[Gunther]

Andy,

lesson #1 is: Assume nothing!

Gunther

[hutch--]

 :P

The first PCI Express video card I bought used to run hot so I put a fancy fan cooled heat sink on it. Ran OK for a while then the box stopped dead and would not start. Ended up the heat sink had pulled out one connector, misaligned the hgeat sink and fried the chip. Took it out and did a quick test with an ancient PCI video card, S3 I think, and it worked again. Went and bought a new one of a different brand.

Make sure you have not stuffed the power supply.

[Magnum]

:P

The first PCI Express video card I bought used to run hot so I put a fancy fan cooled heat sink on it. Ran OK for a while then the box stopped dead and would not start. Ended up the heat sink had pulled out one connector, misaligned the hgeat sink and fried the chip. Took it out and did a quick test with an ancient PCI video card, S3 I think, and it worked again. Went and bought a new one of a different brand.

Make sure you have not stuffed the power supply.

The only thing the power supply was feeding was the cooling fan and the ATI graphics card.

I used the card in my older P-3 system.
It was odd.

Nothing on the monitor until XP started.

Had to use another monitor using the built in graphics card if I wanted to view the BIOS.

I will probably salvage parts off the card and chalk it up to one of "those learning experiences."