Hardware problem. Help needed.

[Kulverstukas]

Well there is this cursed computer here. Some time ago Windows fucked up and I wasn't able to reinstall because the setup couldn't copy some files to finish the setup. I tried few different CD's.
I figured it was a hardware problem and most likely the SATA HDD that it had was done for. I checked for bad sectors, it was fine. I proceeded to install other HDD which was an IDE one. The DVDROM was also an IDE device. Stock cable was too short to connect both, so I used another that I had.
After they were connected, only HDD would get detected as primary IDE drive.
I replaced the DVDROM with another which was a SATA drive and then the PC would not show anything. Then I tried booting up with each of the devices being disconnected and it would completely freeze right after the POST.
I proceeded to revert like it was before - the same drives like it was initially, now it just won't show anything. Computer doesn't have a speaker so I don't know what kind of error messages it gives me.
I tried removing the CMOS battery and shorting the jumpers to clear CMOS memory, sadly that did not help.

All the devices have power coming to them.

Mobo is AliveXFire-eSATAII

[F1.z3ro]

I assume you cannot see these in the BIOS?

[Kulverstukas]

See what in the BIOS?

[F1.z3ro]

I was asking if you could see the drive in BIOS.  I assume that's where you are looking...

I know there are issues with SATA drives at times, but if it was previously working I would tend to think hardware failure (drive or mobo).  Sounds like you checked this out.

I would look at the drive controller in the BIOS, should be under something like Advanced,  IDE configuration....see what the SATA Operation mode and configure SATA part have listed.  Primarily, you want to make sure they are configured correctly and are detected.

[Kulverstukas]

Yeah but I can't even boot it up - nothing comes on the screen and no error can be seen or heard.

[F1.z3ro]

Oh, Ok.   I think your mobo might be toast then. 

Unless you do just a real basic boot....just the stuff you need....known working gfx card, IDE HDD, and ensure memory properly seated.  I suspect you've already tried that, but....

[Kulverstukas]

Nothing is fried, it's just the boot sequence that's fucked.

[iTpHo3NiX]

So pretty much the computer wont boot past POST? If thats the case are there any beeps when you turn it on?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power-on_self-test

Lists codes for different machines and what the beep code means. Honestly something I've been wanting to pick up is a BIOS POST card for a PCI bus:

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/pc-motherboard-repair-troubleshoot-boot-failure-diagnostic-pci-card-21997

That will give you more direct information. If the computer turns on then this will work.

ALSO if you are trying to install Windows XP on your machine, your not able to transfer all the files its most likely a LACK of SATA drivers. So if trying to load XP, be sure to use nLite and slipstream SATA drivers otherwise it wont work right (unless you have a floppy drive you can put the SATA drivers on that and load it in on a certain prompt during the XP setup.)

I can help more, but its not easy without seeing the machine... Let me know OS, and what exactly happened

[techb]

So pretty much the computer wont boot past POST? If thats the case are there any beeps when you turn it on?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power-on_self-test

Lists codes for different machines and what the beep code means. Honestly something I've been wanting to pick up is a BIOS POST card for a PCI bus:

http://www.dealextreme.com/p/pc-motherboard-repair-troubleshoot-boot-failure-diagnostic-pci-card-21997

That will give you more direct information. If the computer turns on then this will work.

ALSO if you are trying to install Windows XP on your machine, your not able to transfer all the files its most likely a LACK of SATA drivers. So if trying to load XP, be sure to use nLite and slipstream SATA drivers otherwise it wont work right (unless you have a floppy drive you can put the SATA drivers on that and load it in on a certain prompt during the XP setup.)

I can help more, but its not easy without seeing the machine... Let me know OS, and what exactly happened

He doesn't have speakers, so no POST error beeps can be heard.

[theellimist]

Have you tried clearing the motherboard CMOS memory and reconfiguring your hardware settings? I think this will help if there is a problem with the BIOS configuration problem.

[Kulverstukas]

Guys, guys. Please read the first post - I explained EVERYTHING.
@ITPhenix: it always ran WinXP without any problems, just now started to act stupid. I cannot get to the POST, screen doesn't come on.

[iTpHo3NiX]

hrm without the error beeps its really hard to figure out what exactly is the problem. Short of buying the BIOS POST PCI card, you'll have to test each component. If your able to boot off of a disk, I would suggest picking up Hirens or Ultimate Boot CD (Until I make iTBootDisk)

http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/
http://www.hiren.info/pages/bootcd

Run probably mem diag tool, cpu diag tool, a hd diag tool, check the MBR
Hirens includes: SATA Driver (gcdrom.sys) and JMicron JMB361 (xcdrom.sys) for Dos. That might help as well

[Kulverstukas]

first I have to figure out why doesn't it show anything, then I'll try the live CD's

[iTpHo3NiX]

I'm not to sure I understand what issue your having?

So your computer turns on, but then there is just a blank screen?

If thats the issue, the problem is most likely in RAM, Video Card, or Processor/Mobo Anyways as a comp tech thats the place I would be looking. Although it still could be a failing hard drive

[F1.z3ro]

I think I would check everything.  You said the drive appears to be OK, nothing is fried, etc.    I'm assuming you checked that everything is seated correctly, etc.




Have you tried a different keyboard?   We had similar issue at work once.....missing pin on keyboard courtesy of this jackass that brought his own keyboard in (that MS ergo keyboard).


Just throwing out ideas.....