Motherboards Repair/TroubleShooting Guides Tips How to Trouble Shoot Mainboard-Mother Board Motherbord-Best Computer Online Store - Buy with Discount Prices from Houston Texas-Directron.com

You are encouraged to make links to this article from your website and tell your friends

The following advice is based on many years of experience. They are provided as a free service to our customers and visitors. However, Directron.com is not responsible for any damage as a result of following any of these advises. You are welcome to distribute these tips free to your friends and associates as long as it's not for commercial purposes.

| Choose Motherboard | Motherboard Installation Guide |

More than 70% of all computer problems are related to cabling and connections. Ensure all cables are connected and connected firmly. IDE and floppy ribbon cables and power cables can often go loose. Ensure microprocessor, memory modules, and adapters such as video card are inserted correctly and didn't "pop-up" due to vibration.

System has no power at all. Power light does not illuminate, fan inside the power supply does not turn on, and indicator light on keyboard does not turn on.

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
Power cable is unplugged.	Visually inspect power cable.	Make sure power cable is securely plugged in.
Defective power cable.	Visual inspection, try another cable.	Replace cable.
Power supply failure.	Power cable and wall socket are OK, but system is still dead.	Contact technical support
Faulty wall outlet;circuit breaker or fuse blown.	Plug device into socket know to work and test.	Use different socket, repair outlet, reset circuit breaker or replace fuse.

System inoperative. Keyboard lights are on, power indicator lights are lit, and hard drive is spinning.

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
Expansion card is partially dislodged from expansion slot on the motherboard.	Turn off computer. Take cover off system unit. Check all expansion cards to ensure they are securely seated in slots.	Using even pressure on both ends of the expansion card, press down firmly on expansion card.
Defective floppy disk drive or tape drive.	Turn system off. Disconnect the cables from one of the floppy drives. Turn on the system, check to see if the keyboard operates normally. Repeat until you have located defective unit.	Contact Technical Support.
Defective expansion card.	Turn computer off. Remove an expansion card.	Make sure expansion card is secure in expansion socket.

System does not boot from hard disk drive, can be booted from floppy disk drive.

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
Connector between hard drive and system board unplugged.	When attempting to run the FDISK utility described in the HARD DISK section of the manual you get a message, INVALID DRIVE SPECIFICATION.	Check cable running form disk to disk controller on the board. Make sure both ends are securely plugged in; check the drive type in the Standard CMOS Setup (in your motherboard manual).
Damaged Hard Disk or Disk Controller.	Format hard disk; if unable to do so, the hard disk may be defective.	Contact Technical Support.
Hard Disk directory or FAT is scrambled.	Run the FDISK program, format the hard drive(See HARD DRIVE section of manual). Copy your backup data back onto hard drive.	Backing up the hard drive is extremely important. All Hard Disks are capable of breaking down at any time.

System only boots from Floppy Disk. Hard Disk can be read and applications can be used, but booting from Hard Disk is impossible.

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
Hard Disk boot program has been destroyed.	A number of causes could be behind this.	Back up data and applications files. Reformat the Hard Drive as described in the Hard Drive section of the manual. Re-install applications and data using backup disks.

Error message reading "SECTOR NOT FOUND" or other error messages indication certain data is not allowed to be retrieved.

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
A number of causes could be behind this.	Use a file by file backup instead of an image backup to backup the Hard Disk.	Back up any salvageable data. Then do a low level format, partition, and high level format of the hard drive( see Hard Disk section of your manual for instructions). Re-install all saved data when completed.

Disk formatted on IBM PS/2 will not operate with this system.

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
The IBM PS/2 uses a different format than other computers.	IBM PS/2 disk format will not work in an AT type computer.	Format disk in the AT type computer insert disk into the IBM PS/2 and copy the files you wish.

After install an expansion card (network card, tape drive card, etc.) the system no longer works properly.

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
No power to monitor.	All or part of the system may be inoperable. The new card may work but a mouse or COM port may not work.	Change the interrupt or RAM address on the new expansion card. See the documentation that came with the new card in order to change pin settings. many expansion devices come with proprietary software that will assist you in doing this.

Screen message says "Invalid Configuration" or "CMOS Failure."

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
Incorrect information entered into the configuration (setup) program.	Check the configuration program. Replace any incorrect information.	Review system's equipment. Make sure correct information is in setup.

Screen is blank.

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
No power to monitor.	Power connectors may be loose or not plugged in.	Check the power connectors to monitor and to system. Make sure monitor is connected to display card, change I/O address on network card if applicable.
Monitor not connected to computer.		See instructions above.
Network card I/O address conflict.		See instructions above.

System does not boot from hard disk drive, can be booted from floppy disk drive.

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
Connector between hard drive and system board unplugged.	When attempting to run the FDISK utility described in the HARD DISK section of the manual you get a message, INVALID DRIVE SPECIFICATION.	Check cable running form disk to disk controller on the board. Make sure both ends are securely plugged in; check the drive type in the Standard CMOS Setup (in your

Problem

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
Memory problem, display card jumpers not set correctly.		Reboot computer. Re-install memory, make sure that all memory modules are installed in correct sockets. Check jumper and switch settings on display card. See display card section for information of settings.
Computer virus.		Use anti-virus programs (McAfee/PC-cillin, E-port, etc) to detect and clean viruses.

Screen goes blank periodically.

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
Screen saver is enabled.		Disable screen saver.

Keyboard failure.

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
Keyboard is disconnected.		Reconnect keyboard. Check keys again, if no improvement, replace keyboard.

No color on screen.

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
Faulty Monitor.		If possible, connect monitor to another system. If no color, replace monitor.
CMOS incorrectly set up.		Call technical support.

Floppy drive lights stays on.

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
Floppy Drive cable not connected correctly.		Reconnect floppy cable making sure PIN1 on the Floppy Drive corresponds with PIN1 on floppy cable connector.

Error reading drive A:

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
Bad floppy disk.		Try new floppy disk.
Floppy disk not formatted		Format floppy disk(type ENTER)

C: drive failure.

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
SETUP program does not have correct information.		Boot from drive A: using DOS system disk. Input correct information to SETUP program.
Hard Drive cable not connected properly.		Check Hard drive cable.

Cannot boot system after installing second hard drive.

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
Master/Slave jumpers not set correctly.		Set master /Slave jumpers correctly.
Hard Drives not compatible / different manufacturers.		Run SETUP program and select correct drive types. Call drive manufactures for compatibility with other drives.

Missing operating system on hard drive.

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
CMOS setup has been changed.		Run setup and select correct drive type.

Certain keys do not function.

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
Keys jammed or defective.		Replace keyboard.

Keyboard is locked, no keys function.

PROBABLE CAUSE	DIAGNOSIS	SOLUTION
Keyboard is locked.		Unlock keyboard

Customer Feedback through Yahoo!
	Join our Newsletter

Shipping Policy	Customer Service	Payment Policy
Tracking Orders Est. Shipping Cost Time-in-Transit Map FAQ - Shipping Top Reasons for Delays UPS, FedEx, Postal Office Walk-in Sales APO/FPO Orders International	Return Rates Statistics Satisfaction Account Applications Frequent Errors FAQ-Services FAQ-Tech Support Newsletter Order Status	Credit Card via Phone Purchase Order Prepay, PayPal Resellers, VARs Corporate/Business Educational Government Terms & Conditions Price & Tax FAQ-Payment

Top Brands: Asus, Acer, AMD, Antec, AOpen, ATI, Biostar, Buffalo, Cooler Master, Corsair, Creative, Western Digital, XFX, Dell, D-Link, Enermax, FSP, Gigabyte, Hauppauge, HP, Intel, InWin, Kingston, Lenovo, Lian-Li, Linksys, Lite-On, Logisys, Logitech, Microsoft, MSI, Mushkin, Netgear, OCZ, Seagate, Shuttle, Sony, SuperMicro, ThermalTake, Vantec, ViewSonic, Zalman

Search Directron

Have a question about our products, services or technical issues?
Find the answer instantly! Type your question or key words in English.
NOTE: 95% email/ phone questions already have answers on our web site.

Directron.NET- Help Desk	Directron.ORG - Resources	Short Cuts
Sales Support Tech Support Knowledge Base Customer Service Open Forums Report a Web Error	How to Choose? FAQs, Glossary BYO Installation How to Upgrade? Troubleshooting Drivers	Top Sellers New Products Quiet Computers Water Cooling Overclocking Case Painting

ePublicEye.com Certified. 87.17% Total Satisfaction Rating.

Copyright (c) 1997-2012 Directron.com, Inc., Houston, Texas
Buy - Sell - Trade - Build - Repair - Upgrade - Help - Troubleshoot - Shopping
Computers - Laptops - Servers - Hardware - Parts - Software - Peripherals - Services
High Quality - Low Prices - Discount Shop - Large Selection - Free Products - Fast Shipping
Dallas Computer Store - San Antonio Computer Store - K12 Education Computer Systems

Product Spotlight

Directron.org
Computer Resources

How to Choose?

Troubleshooting

PC Glossary

Computer Drivers

Directron.net Help
Desk / Support

Nickel SilverStone SST-HDDBOOST 3.5in Bay SPCC Turbo Device, ... Only $34.99
CNet CBR-980 3G Wireless-N Router, w/ 4 x 10/100BaseT LAN, 1 ... Only $24.99
Mushkin Enhanced Callisto Deluxe 2.5in 40GB SATA II MLC Solid... Only $59.99
Seagate Barracuda 3.5in 1TB SATA 6Gb/s Internal Hard Drive ST... Only $85.99
Seagate Barracuda 3.5in 3TB SATA 6Gb/s Internal Hard Drive ST... Only $159.99
Atrix USB Optical Mouse, Deluxe Ergonomics Design, 800 dpi, M... Only $4.99
Clear Atrix 80mm Sleeve Bearing Computer System Cooling Fan, ... Only $0.99
Keebox Wireless N 150Mbps Home Router W150NR, w/ 4 x 10/100Mb... Only $15.99
Keebox 5-Port Fast Ethernet Switch, 384Kbits per Device Buffe... Only $7.99
Intel 520 Series 2.5in 120GB SATA 6Gb/s MLC Internal Solid St... Only $169.99
Intel 520 Series 2.5in 60GB SATA 6Gb/s MLC Internal Solid Sta... Only $119.99
Logisys PS480D2 480W Dual Fan ATX Computer Power Supply, SATA... Only $11.99
Refurbished: OCZ StealthXstream II 500W ATX12V Power Supply O... Only $19.99
Sapphire 100327L Radeon HD6750 1GB PCI Express 2.1 x16 Video ... Only $99.99
$10 Mail-in Rebate ASUS EAH6570/DI/1GD3(LP) Radeon HD6570 1... Only $64.99
Silver/Black Cirago HS410 Mini Bluetooth 2.0 EDR Headset, P/N... Only $9.99