System: FUBAR

[swestrup]

So, today my goal was simple: Put the CD and floppy drives back in my old PC, along with taxlady's old hard disk, thus clearing space to work on her machine. Install a larger hard disk in her machine and start installing Windows XP, in anticipation of her returning from her meeting with some more RAM.

Well, she returned 7 hours after I started and I was still cursing the old PC. I can't get the HD, CD and both floppies all working at the same time, although I suspect its a Bios configuration problem. Okay, so I find places to stash the pieces of my old machine, so I can install the RAM in taxlady's. A hour of contortions and swearing later, I have the RAM in and ... nothing. Her machine won't boot, it won't beep, it won't do anything. I can't even get the fan run. There's power in the outlet, and the power cord is good. I've checked all of the connections 3 times, and it all looks good. I even put the original RAM back in to see if that was the problem. No dice. At this point, I have TWO dead machines, and I'm out of ideas. Well, almost. The power supply in my old pc might be ATX compatible. If it is, I can use it for a test, but I rather suspect it isn't.

What I need is someone who knows hardware better than me, and can make a free housecall...

Comments

Computers - Love them. Hate them.

[designergirl.livejournal.com]

I am no expert, but could it possibly be the RAM that is the problem? A faulty chip perhaps?

Sarah

Re: Computers - Love them. Hate them.

[swestrup]

> I am no expert, but could it possibly be the RAM that is the problem?

I wouldn't think it likely, but you'll note that in my original post I mention taking the new ram out and putting the old stuff back in, just in case. It didn't help :-(

RE: Computers - Love them. Hate them.

[designergirl.livejournal.com]

Oh, sorry! I must have not read your post properly. I would say it is a conflict of hardware then! Although going out and buying different parts would be a hassle, especially if you aren't 100% sure that is the problem.

Have you tried moving parts around? Sometimes that will do the trick.

Sarah

Re: Computers - Love them. Hate them.

[swestrup]

I removed all of the cards (a friend told me that can sometimes help) and practically dismantled the whole computer. The more I think about it, the more convinced I'm becoming that the power supply has spontaneously died. My wife's computer has been mysteriously misbehaving lately (one of the reasons for the upgrade) and I'm starting to think it was all caused by a power supply that was getting ready to die...