(Posting this in forums, originally in tech support, and still unsolved) Hello, I currently am in possession of an IBM ThinkCentre A51P (8422-14U), which I recieved from my school. When I try to power it up, however, it doesn't POST or even make any indication when I boot it without RAM. The current hardware: 2.8ghz P4HT, 2x512mb DDR2-533, no HDD, and a generic CD drive and FDD. There are no add-in (PCI/PCI-E) cards installed. I have tried removing all the components, reseating everything, booting without CD/FDD, checking if CPU heats up (it does), and changing ram/ram slots. I have even tried booting it up without a CPU. It makes a small beeping noise, and continues after that the same way as with a CPU. Without RAM, it boots the same. I have also tried resetting the CMOS. No luck. Any help on this topic would be appreciated. Thanks!
No display is shown at all. The monitor light acts like it's receiving a signal for about a second, then goes back to no signal. This has been tested on multiple monitors, and multiple graphics cards.
you describe a small beeping noise, is it a single/short/long/multiple beep(s) do you have onboard graphics also? if so if you take out the graphics card and use only onboard do you get anything, or is the result the same? Note: Don't just swap between onboard and card, remove card before using onboard. If left to run for a while do you hear start up tunes, (if turned on) or does it idle if left for 30 minutes or more? Do you have any LED readings from the tower system i.e solid or flashing red/orange lights? Check to make sure the motherboard in Not touching the casing in any other way than its fixings, I will also suggest (allthough this may seem long winded) trying your complete setup in another pc (if available) but without your current motherboard. let me know.
By a small beeping, I mean a 1/8 of a second beep when there IS no CPU in the motherboard. It has onboard graphics, and have tried both onboard and dedicated. For as long as I left it on, about 5 min, it stayed with the fans on high and did nothing. The motherboard wasn't shorting, I checked. The only LED on was the power one.
Ok, do you have any other ram to play with? try to use different ram (use in pairs to be sure) a single beep from the pc with no display generaly means a problem with the DRAM so try a different pair. Let me know how you get on.
First off, it only makes a tiny beep when there is no CPU in. When there is a CPU in, changing the ram, or starting without ram does nothing. I have plenty of other ram, and have tried that. It makes no noise (other than the fan) when it starts up with a CPU in, ram or not.
A single beep from a Phoenix based BIOS is actually an all systems clear notification. It's an indication that the Power On Self Test is complete. The fact that it doesnt make a beep when the cpu in attached leads one to suspect a cpu issue. Can you explain exactly what happens in a little more detail, for instance.. After I push the power button with ram attachd the screen brings up the post message but fails before I can enter the BIOS. Without the ram it...? Without the cpu it...? Have you tried to troubleshoot all the main causes? Is the cpu heatsink firmly attached, are all the fans connected and spinnng and how is the thermal compound holding up? Are you able to enter the BIOS or does it fail before you get a chance? Even though you have tried removing the battery to reset the cmos can you try again, making sure you take out the battery for 2min or longer. Test your power supply. The PSU tends to cause more problems than any other hardware and is often the cause of a computer not coming on all the way. If possible try using a different PSU. Also check for electrical shorts inside your computer. This is very often the cause of the problem when the computer powers on for a second or two but then powers off completely. Even try removing everything from your case and reseating on a non condictive surface. This will reestablish all of the connections inside your computer which may have wiggled loose over time. Reinstall each piece of nonessential hardware one component at a time, testing your computer after each installation. Hopefully one of the above will pinpoint the issue, good hunting.
I agree with the post above, try a different PSU, but since you have tried everything else if using a different PSU doesn't solve your problem it may be time to start looking for a replacement motherboard.
Mmm, I seem to have missed half his posts about what hes checked already. My mistake. I have a feeling it will be a cpu issue considering it seems the mobo posts without it (the single beep). Reapply some thermal compound and make sure the cooler isnt causing any shorts either and the fans are spinning freely without any dust. I had a short with my cooler on my mobo which almost caused me to RMA it but after I set everything up outside of the case it was clear to see. I would still assemble the components outside the case to ensure there is no short between the back of the motherboard to the chassis, its also much easier to see whats going on.
Since I have some LGA775 P4's laying around, I'm going to try building it on an antistatic surface, with a different CPU, and another PSU. I'll reply back if it works.
I Have the same exact problem, Pc powers on, but no video. There's no beepings at all. I've replaced about 6 caps on the board that were bad, and still no luck. PSU is good, RAM is Good. I'm pretty sure is one of the Components(Caps, Crystal, Relay, etc..) on the board just haven't find the one, if anyone knows it let us know.
