Re: HELP! cannot boot in win2k!

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From: William W. Plummer (William.Plummer_at_alum.mit.edu)
Date: 09/13/04 

Date: Mon, 13 Sep 2004 13:09:31 GMT

Tim wrote:
> Dave, thanks for your message. I can't even get anywhere
> near a boot menu. System is frozen in the state
> described. No function keys working, no keyboard or mouse
> inputs accepted. Just the power save message as described!
First, try using a standard mouse and keyboard. The wireless ones
caused many problems where I used to work.

Second, unplug (not just turn off!) the machine and discharge the CMOS
memory. Usually there is a three-pin header that has a jumper on 1-2.
   Move the jumper to 2-3 for a second and then back to 1-2. Boot and
reenter your settings and the time and date, etc.

Third, strip all cards out of the machine except a display card if its
not integrated into the mobo. Leave some memory in. The machine should
boot, at least enought to run the BIOS setup.

Fourth, Find the ATX power supply spec on www.intel.com . This will
tell what voltages should be on which pins of the main power connector.
  Check these.

Fifth, sometimes the power button logic fails and won't command the
power supply to turn on. One pin of the power connector (IIRC 4th from
one end, green wire) needs to be grounded to do this. You can fashion a
jumper from a paper clip to connect this wire to the black ground wire
next to it.

Sixth, either your CPU is dead (no likely) or your mobo died. Maybe
you can substitute in a different machine. Or, for about $30 you can
buy a cheap mobo just for the purpose of testing your CPU and power
supply. A really nice mobo will cost you about $150. If you go that
route, you will probably get sucked into buying a fast CPU and more
memory. At that point it's just plain easier and faster to buy a new
computer and install your old hard disk in it where you can copy files
from it.

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