| System is dead, no cursor, no beeps, no fan. |
Power cord failure. |
Plug in or replace power cord. Power cords can fail even though they look fine. |
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Power supply failure. |
Replace the power supply. Use a known-good spare for testing. |
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Motherboard failure. |
Replace motherboard. Use a known-good spare for testing. |
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Memory failure. |
Remove all memory except 1 bank and retest. If the system still won't boot replace bank 1. |
| System is dead, no beeps, or locks up before POST begins. |
All components either incorrectly installed. |
Check all peripherals, especially memory and graphics adapter. Reseat all boards and socketed components. |
| System beeps on startup, fan is running, no cursor on screen. |
Improperly seated or failing graphics adapter. |
Reseat or replace graphics adapter. Use known-good spare for testing. |
| System powers up, fan is running, no beep or cursor. |
Processor not properly installed. |
Reseat or remove/reinstall processor and heatsink. |
| Locks up during or shortly after POST. |
Poor heat dissipation. |
Check CPU heatsink/fan; replace if necessary, use one with higher capacity. |
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Improper voltage settings. |
Set motherboard for proper core processor voltage. |
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Wrong motherboard bus speed. |
Set motherboard for proper speed. |
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Wrong CPU clock multiplier. |
Jumper motherboard for proper clock multiplier. |
| Improper CPU identification during POST. |
Old BIOS. |
Update BIOS from manufacturer. |
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Board not configured properly. |
Check manual and jumper board accordingly to proper bus and multiplier settings. |
| System won't start after new processor is installed. |
Processor not properly installed. |
Reseat or remove/reinstall processor and heatsink. |
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BIOS doesn't support new processor. |
Update BIOS from system or motherboard manunew facturer. |
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Motherboard can't use new processor. |
Verify motherboard support. |
| Operating system will not boot. |
Poor heat dissipation. |
Check CPU fan; replace if necessary; it might need a higher-capacity heatsink or heatsink/fan on the North Bridge chip. |
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Improper voltage settings. Wrong motherboard bus speed. |
Jumper motherboard for proper core voltage. Jumper motherboard for proper speed. |
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Wrong CPU clock multiplier. |
Jumper motherboard for proper clock multiplier. |
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Applications will not install or run. |
Improper drivers or incompatible hardware; update drivers and check for compatibility issues. |
| System appears to work, but no video is displayed. |
Monitor turned off or failed. |
Check monitor and power to monitor. Replace with known-good spare for testing. |