Unusual computer problem

[jsvalen]

Had so many problems with my computer that I decided to take it in for repair. In short, they found viruses and reimaged as a fix. Brought it home, plugged it in, and the problem is still there. Before I bring it back for repair tomorrow, I thought I would see if someone here can help.
The problem: When booting up, most of the time the video and audio won't come on. I have to have the speakers and monitor turned off before powering up or the video and audio won't come on; sometimes this doesn't even help. I did notice that when the audio and video do come on, there is an audible beep from the CPU within 5 - 10 seconds of powering on; no beep means the audio and video aren't going to come on.
I've had this PC for over 3 years and this problem only started a couple of weeks ago. It would be great is someone could help.

[willawake]

Re: Unusual computer problem

what are the "so many problems"
i dont believe you will get proper service from your repair shop if all they do is reimage computers

do you have a camera?
it would be great if you could post some pics of the motherboard, the graphics card and also inside the power supply (it will void your warranty opening the power supply. the power cord MUST be removed before you open it)

this will greatly help troubleshooting

[ladytech]

Re: Unusual computer problem

You probably have onboard video and sound components, if the board initializes correctly - you have sound and video. If not, no sound or video. Some things that you can check are the memory (google Microsoft Memtest) and the power supply. Either of these two items will cause the behaviors that you describe. Check the board for bad caps also - will cause intermittant problems that vary with heat.

Unfortunately, some shops will just reimage the harddrive to try to fix the problem. As you found out, usually doesn't work!

Good luck,

[bgavin]

Re: Unusual computer problem

It sounds like you are getting it repaired by that commercial outfit that advertises too much and drives those little cars...

The big bux you pay them does not go to the tech, so I'm not at all surprised you get a crap job. I get a lot of dissatisfied clients from those guys.. thanks for the business.

What is obvious, is whoever repaired your box didn't bother to test it out much. Pity. Find yourself an independent tech and stay out of the big box shops.

[kc8adu]

Re: Unusual computer problem

It sounds like you are getting it repaired by that commercial outfit that advertises too much and drives those little cars...

The big bux you pay them does not go to the tech, so I'm not at all surprised you get a crap job. I get a lot of dissatisfied clients from those guys.. thanks for the business.

What is obvious, is whoever repaired your box didn't bother to test it out much. Pity. Find yourself an independent tech and stay out of the big box shops.

you mean the dork squad?
those idiots cant troubleshoot their way out of a wet paper bag here.
what did they charge you to do a system restore from the restore partition?
hint.you can do that yourself in 15 min.
did they even offer vaseline/ky jelly?

[PCBONEZ]

Re: Unusual computer problem

PSU make/model?
MoBo make/model?

[arneson]

Re: Unusual computer problem

The Dork squad came out to a guys house and spent three days setting up wifi for the router.
He admin'ed his way into all of the nieghbors routers and turned on a wep key.
So everyone around him lost internet.
I was called to a friends house and couldn't figure out how the wep was configured until I saw the key generator was BUBBA2008. They said bubba is the guy down the street.
Lesson, change your router password, and write it down on the router.

[Newbie2]

Re: Unusual computer problem

The motherboard could be dying, or it could have bad capacitors on it. I assume this is integrated video and sound.

What is the power supply also? A bad power supply feeding excess ripple and noise and/or unstable voltages could also be the problem.

Since he got the Dork Squad to repair his computer, I'd assume he doesn't have any computer technician experience. Try getting a more experienced independant technician (at a small or trusted computer store, not Best Buy's Dork Squad) to repair the problem.

[370forlife]

Re: Unusual computer problem

I wouldn't even trust a local computer store. We have one around here called digilink, and they charged my 30 dollars to tell me my motherboard made beep sounds. Didn't make an effort to find out what they meant! Long story short, I got it working in about 10 minutes.

I take my computer troubles to my friend who works at lear as the main tech support.