my first car pc problem, any thoughts?

**Snortonnorton** · 10-07-2007, 08:07 PM

came home from my 2 day vacation and my car pc suddenly stopped working.

first it did boot and worked for a few minutes as it had for last few weeks.

then it froze.

when i restarted it, it said windows needed the safe mode choice.

then it won't even post. my motherboard is saying memory failure and does not post.

I will try to switch out the 2 different memory sticks to see if one died...

could there be other reasons? (power is still going to pc so I don't think it's a power issue, unless the m2 atx is not regulating enough power to the motherboard. (i read a little over 12 volts going into the powersupply)

thanks

**Skipjacks** · 10-07-2007, 09:58 PM

Bad hard drive would be my first guess. Problem with the mobo would be my second.

**marshallh** · 10-07-2007, 10:24 PM

Don't swap out your memory just yet. Get the board running off a known good desktop 250w ATX psu. If the problem persists, then swap your memory.

Sounds a lot like a failing m2-atx. Check both the PSU and your Mobo for leaky/bulding capacitors.

**Snortonnorton** · 10-07-2007, 10:30 PM

yeah, I tried different ram combos and it didn't work.

It does not even give error now. The computer fans and usb devices show power. (but it is possible the m2 atx is not giving enough power to the cpu rails)

when I have time, I will try the computer on a regular power supply in case it's the m2 atx.

just out of curiousity, if a cpu fails, the bios won't post, right?

If I discover the m2 atx is failing. (after only 3 or so weeks of use)

I will just get an Opus 250.

wish me luck and thanks for the replies.

**Snortonnorton** · 10-07-2007, 10:31 PM

Originally Posted by marshallh

Don't swap out your memory just yet. Get the board running off a known good desktop 250w ATX psu. If the problem persists, then swap your memory.

Sounds a lot like a failing m2-atx. Check both the PSU and your Mobo for leaky/bulding capacitors.

what do leaky or bulding capacitors look like?

**Snortonnorton** · 10-07-2007, 10:32 PM

Originally Posted by Skipjacks

Bad hard drive would be my first guess. Problem with the mobo would be my second.

if the hardrive failed, wouldn't the bios still be able to post?

it's not posting, I just hear a memory failure report before it can even post.

and now it doesn't even give any message.........

**DodgeCummins** · 10-07-2007, 11:42 PM

When you boot to bios and check the voltages, are they all correct?

Did you reseat everything?

Did you run "memtest"? http://www.memtest.org/

Capacitors are those half inch tall cylinders. They should have a perfectly flat top...if they have a curved top (bulging) then they are probably bad...if underneath the capacitors (the "legs") there is a brown goop...then they are bad...that goop is acid.

**Snortonnorton** · 10-08-2007, 07:42 PM

thanks for info, dodge...

well I did a bench test and much to my surprise........ The PC will still not boot up on my regular desktop power supply. (fans come on and green light on motherboard) but no boot and no error beeps at all.

the cpu or the motherboard must be fried.

I wanted something with onboard video anyways so I can dump the clunky huge, motherboard and video card setup.

lets just pray to sweet jesus that the new motherboard will let my current hardrive boot up.

I hate setting everything up again..... (I did make a back up of my music at least)