Old PC does not post

[ToxicXGL]

Ok so my friend gave me his old PC and said it wasn't working so I decided to take a look at it. He had said that nothing was showing up on the monitor when he turned it on so I assumed the on board graphics were probably shot. So first thing I did was try using a different working gpu, but still no response from the monitor. Next thing I tried was using a better psu; the fan still was not spinning and still no signal. From here I assumed the mobo was dead, but not 100% sure as the fans plugged in were still spinning and the hdd was still able to run. Also checked if the cmos battery was still good and it was. My next step was to check if the mobo would give me any beep codes so I removed everything buy the CPU and the psu as well as the on button, and to my surprise it gave my no response. Not sure if I just don't have the speaker plugged in or if it doesn't have one.

Now current day the machine doesn't post what so ever and I'm really stumped as to if it is the mobo or something else is the culprit.

The monitor is confirmed working.

 

[GokAy]

Try CMOS reset if you haven't yet. You should get a PC speaker. You may even have one from your own PC case, you left lying somewhere. I guess they are a couple of bucks if you don't have one.

 

[ToxicXGL]

Try CMOS reset if you haven't yet. You should get a PC speaker. You may even have one from your own PC case, you left lying somewhere. I guess they are a couple of bucks if you don't have one.

Ok so I plugged a set of speakers into the audio jack and it's giving me nothing. I've tried the cmos reset, but I'm not sure if it's even in the original position. Now my friend said he didn't really do anything to this PC but you can never be to sure.

 

[GokAy]

Nope, it won't work like that, a PC speaker is two cables and a little speaker that you attach to a little plug (usually near where the front panel cables are connected) on the motherboard.

It is used to diagnose BIOS beep codes during POST (Power-On-Self-Test). Computer POST and beep codes

 

[ToxicXGL]

Nope, it won't work like that, a PC speaker is two cables and a little speaker that you attach to a little plug (usually near where the front panel cables are connected) on the motherboard.

It is used to diagnose BIOS beep codes during POST (Power-On-Self-Test). Computer POST and beep codes

View attachment 366734

Ahh I see. Well I don't think my current PC has one so I'll have to buy one. Will do that asap

 

[ToxicXGL]

Nope, it won't work like that, a PC speaker is two cables and a little speaker that you attach to a little plug (usually near where the front panel cables are connected) on the motherboard.

It is used to diagnose BIOS beep codes during POST (Power-On-Self-Test). Computer POST and beep codes

View attachment 366734

Ok so it seems the mobo has one attached to it (didn't realize till I went out and bought one) but it doesnt seem to be giving any beep codes.

 

[GokAy]

Are the fans start working? Try with the other speaker too just in case old one is damaged.

Still no go, remove everything but the CPU and see if you get any beeps.

 

[ToxicXGL]

Yea it powers CPU fan plus other case Fan. Now I'm not to sure where to plug the other speaker into. There is a 3 pin connector labelled spdif02, and I assume it should go there but correct me if I'm wrong.

 

[GokAy]

Nope, spdif is digital audio, check where the twisted colorful cables plugged into the motherboard.

 

[ToxicXGL]

Those braided cables are fpanel stuff. Nothing really around it except for a 3 pin fan header. Could you link a pic? First time dealing with a mobo speaker

There is a connecter labeled j1394_1.

Is the mobo speaker connecter 2 pin or 4 pin?

Would it be in the Fdd1?

 

[GokAy]

It should be 2 pin, may be inside front panel. Any labels around front panel connection?

Fdd = floppy disk drive
1394 = firewire

Edit: Should be 2 pin, but may be 4 pin long.

From another motherboard

 

[ToxicXGL]

Uhh not really any labels which makes this really hard. I'm gonna try to look up the mobo model and see if I can find a manual. All the fp wires together so I guess I'll also have to jumpstart the PC

Also looking at the front panel it seems that all pins were taken up by power, pwrled, and hdd light as well as another light for something.

 

[ToxicXGL]

Ok so the numbers on the sides are 1/2 on the left and 14/13 on the right. Not sure of that is of any help. Can't find a manual so just gonna have to trail and error. Now how would I start the machine not sure how to pull out the pins for the power switch.

 

[GokAy]

hard to judge without a manual. You can short the power switch pins with a screwdriver.

 

[ToxicXGL]

Alright managed to remove the pins from the power connector so it was easy to the on. Tried the speaker in the 4 different locations I could and it still gave me nothing. There should be a pic of the panel header in one of the older messages. If not I'll post one. Also is the speaker supposed to heat up even when giving off no sounds?

 

[GokAy]

Try not to burn whatever may be left working

 

[ToxicXGL]

Haha so I assume your saying it's dead Hmm I guess I'll hold on to the CPU, ram, and Psu. Assuming the mobo might be dead