Paul wrote:
> jameshanley39@yahoo.co.uk wrote:
> > I've got 2 MBRDs. Both have the same problem.
> >
> > They power up but I get no BIOS screen and no steady green light.
> > Depending on monitor I use, with Dell monitor I get steady amber and
> > alternating black screen and "no signal". With IBM monitor I get a
> > flashing amber and black screen.
> > But I guess the key is no BIOS screen at all, or steady green light.
> > Another broken MBRD gets a brief green light off the IBM monitor, but
> > no BIOS screen, and it soon goes flashing amber.
> >
> >
> > Clearly both these MBRDs aren't giving a signal. I'm interested in
> > where the fault lies, even though the MBRD is probably permanently
> > damage and needs to be replaced.
> >
> > Would a POST card show me?
> >
> > Or would it show me nothing since the MBRD isn't POSTing?
> >
> > I know some POST cards are really expensive, so they must be some
> > use!! What use are they?
> >
> > I tested the RAM, and it's ok.(that's no hassle, I wouldn't need a POST
> > card to test that). I suppose the problem could be the CPU, but I hate
> > replacing that, what with all the paste and cleaning the paste off.
> > Would a POST card tell me if the CPU is causing the problem?
> > And would a POST card tell me which part of the MBRD is broken? ('cos
> > i'm just interested)
> >
>
> There are some Ebay sellers, who sell POST cards at reasonable prices.
> You don't have to pay $100 a unit to get one. Hardware-wise, the cards
> are pretty simple, and there isn't a good reason for them to be
> expensive. The cheap ones come straight from Hong Kong:
>
> http://cgi.ebay.com/Pc-Analyzer-main...QQcmdZViewItem
>
> The big question, is whether they typically tell you anything. I've
> read people's reports from their use of a POST card, tried to look
> up the POST code, based on the BIOS type they are using, and the
> codes are not listed. A BIOS designer can use codes not in the list,
> and then a POST card user will be getting useless info.
>
> http://www.bioscentral.com/
>
> Certainly, seeing "00" or "FF" on the display, tells you
> no BIOS code is being executed, so I suppose that is some
> consolation. But if you were hoping for a report like "your
> XXX is busted", that hardly ever seems to happens. Examine the
> POST code listings on bioscentral, and see if they are meaningful
> to you. Then look for a cheap Ebay seller, if you want a good deal,
> as buying a POST card at a local store, you'll pay "retail" for it,
> if you can find one.
>
> Paul

thanks I guess the POST cards aren't so useful to me 'cos a beeping
computer is a doddle to diagnose anyway. I don't have so many beeping
computers to make it that useful. And if there' no BIOS booting then I
can see. No need for a code to say so ..

But what interests me is 2 MBRDs with te same problem. They power on
but don't boot the BIOS.. i'm wondering if it could have a common cause
,, common electrical problem. Or even the same problem on the MBRD, in
which case I may be able to be more informed and avoid it next time(if
it's the same problem), 'cos maybe there are some models that don't
have it, or maybe some device caused it. And it's good to know
anyway... How many common causes are there to have that effect? Is it
a really standard MBRD failure?

And would a POST card help with telling me if the reason it won't boot
is CPU ? 'cos I hate replacing that, that would save time if it could
do that. Though I don't get any beeps, it's not POSTing - how can it
without a CPU.. So maybe it never beeps when no CPU? I don't know.


TIA