Computer Problem

[Fewski]

My desktop computer made by HP goes straight to sleep mode, at least the monitor does on startup. I checked the CPU on a different monitor thinking it was the monitor, but it didn't work there either - so it's not the monitor.

The power button on the CPU also goes off after a few minutes, but the computer is still on.

Any ideas what's happening?
Thanks!

 

[Peter]

Have you tried the PC in safe mode and does it happen in this as well?

Have you installed any new drivers prior to the problems?

 

[Fewski]

I can't even get anything on the screen to try to get it to safe mode.

From the very moment I hit the power button, I get the sleeping screen - so I can't get into the startup.

Thanks

 

[Peter]

Ensure your graphics card has not come loose from the motherboard. This is the most likely cause then.

As it happens as soon as you turn the PC on it will not be a driver problem as drivers have not kicked in by that point.

 

[Fewski]

I've took out the aftermarket graphics card and put it back in... same problem. I took it out and hooked the monitor cord up with the default monitor hookup, and that didn't work either.

Could it be the motherboard?

 

[Peter]

it is possible. Does the PC make beeps it did not before when loading.

A motherboard's bios tends to beep if it has a problem. The number of beeps indicate the problem it has.

 

[Fewski]

Doesn't beep at all, throughout anything.

This is really troubling.

I do appreciate all your help Peter.

 

[Barrucadu]

Is it overheating? Check all the fans and heatsinks and make sure that they havent come loose.

 

[Fewski]

Is it overheating? Check all the fans and heatsinks and make sure that they havent come loose.

I checked both fans and they are both spinning. Heatsinks look fine too.

Thats what I had someone else tell me also, but if it was overheating - it should atleast run for a few seconds at minimum before it shuts down?

 

[cancerian]

If the fans are spinning then try to change the positions of JUMPER on the motherboard and hit the power button again

 

[Fewski]

What is the "JUMPER"?

Thanks

 

[cancerian]

Jumpers are pins on a motherboard or other device, that are used to provide configuration information to the hardware. A single jumper consists of a pair of pins, with a small rectangular shunt that can be placed over both pins to short them together. The hardware is programmed to act one way when the jumper is shorted, and another way when it is left open. The jumpers are normally numbered JP1, JP2 etc.. For some functions, a group of jumpers is used.

more here http://www.pcguide.com/ref/mbsys/mobo/compJumpers-c.html

Try to find the JUMPER on your motherboard

 

[Achaias]

Out of curiousity from what I got about you taking out and putting the video card back in that there was an original/on board video chip set. Maybe I missed this in your explanation but I would also try the original card/on board chipset. If that doesn't work it could be a problem with your mobo.

Hehe I wouldn't go changing/switching jumpers if you don't know which ones do what. I would only do this if its a specific problem that you know changing the jumpers on/off would help.

A safer bet might be to take out the ram and start it up. If it beeps a few seconds in at POST (number and sequence of beeps might vary) then the motherboard at least is responding. If not the very last thing I would try (I don't know if you want to do this or not since its under warranty with HP and messing with the processor may void that warranty) would be to unseat the processor and see if it boots up the same way without beeping or anything. The mobo can still have the fans and whatnot running if its the problem. All the fans are doing is getting power when you turn the pc on so they will still run. After all of this if you haven't gotten any type of response I'd say your mobo is fried, hence no video, no beeping ect... Call HP if its still under warranty and see what they say. Watch out for lightning it can short out the board lickety split. Good luck .

 

[Fewski]

Removed the ram and started it up... not one beep after 2 minutes. Guess my motherboard is gone; great.

Atleast I know whats wrong with it.

Thanks to all for the help!