| Problem Identification | Possible Cause | Resolution |
|---|---|---|
| System is dead, no cursor, no beeps, no fan. | Power cord failure. | Plug in or replace power cord. Power cords can fail even though they look fine. |
| Power supply failure. | Replace the power supply. Use a known-good spare for testing |
|
| Replace motherboard. Use a known-good spare for testing. |
Motherboard failure. | |
| Memory failure. | Remove all memory except 1 bank and retest. If the system still won't boot replace bank 1. |
|
| Problem Identification | Possible Cause | Resolution |
| System is dead, no beeps, or locks up before POST begins. | All components either incorrectly installed. | Check all peripherals, especially memory and graphics adapter. Reseat all boards and socketed components. |
| Problem Identification | Possible Cause | Resolution |
| System beeps on startup, fan is running, no cursor on screen. | Improperly seated or failing graphics adapter. | Reseat or replace graphics adapter. Use known-good spare for testing. |
| Problem Identification | Possible Cause | Resolution |
| System powers up, fan is running, no beep or cursor. | Processor not properly installed. | Reseat or remove/reinstall processor and heat sink. |
| Problem Identification | Possible Cause | Resolution |
| Locks up during or shortly after POST. | Poor heat dissipation. | Check CPU heat sink/fan; replace if necessary, use one with higher capacity. |
| Improper voltage settings. | Set motherboard for proper core processor voltage. | |
| Wrong motherboard bus speed. | Set motherboard for proper speed. | |
| Wrong CPU clock multiplier. | Jumper motherboard for proper clock multiplier. | |
| Problem Identification | Possible Cause | Resolution |
| Improper CPU identification during POST. | Old BIOS. | Update BIOS from manufacturer. |
| Board not configured properly. | Check manual and jumper board accordingly to proper bus and multiplier settings. | |
| Problem Identification | Possible Cause | Resolution |
| System won't start after new processor is installed. | Processor not properly installed. | Reseat or remove/reinstall processor and heat sink. |
| BIOS don’t support new processor. | Update BIOS from system or motherboard may have fracture. | |
| Motherboard can't use new processor. | Verify motherboard support. | |
| Problem Identification | Possible Cause | Resolution | Operating system will not boot. | Poor heat dissipation. | Check CPU fan; replace if necessary; it might need a higher-capacity heat sink or heat sink/fan on the North Bridge chip. | Improper voltage settings. Wrong motherboard bus speed. | Jumper motherboard for proper core voltage. Jumper motherboard for proper speed. |
Wrong CPU clock multiplier. | Jumper motherboard for proper clock multiplier. | | Improper drivers or incompatible hardware; update drivers and check for compatibility issues. |
Problem Identification |
Possible Cause |
Resolution |
System appears to work, but no video is displayed. |
Monitor turned off or failed. |
Check monitor and power to monitor. |
Replace with known-good spare for testing. |