Member Avatar for fvdave30

I have a computer of a friend where there is no video when it starts up. He thinks that it has a virus on it but I am not able to see as I get no video capability on any of my monitors. I have reset the cmos by changing the jumper on the motherboard but with no success. I removed the ram to get a beep code but it produced no beep of any kind. I have cleaned out the dust that was found in the computer and that has not helped. I tried starting the computer with a Knoppix bootable CD but got no response. I tried bypassing the integrated video chip on the motherboard with a pci video card but with no response. I think that the cpu is fried but I am not sure as I do not have another one to replace it. Is there a way to test the cpu as it is? Thank you for your help on this. Please email me at <snipped> with any solution and comments.

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Brief summary and a focused troubleshooting path for the Compaq Presario (MS-7134) described by . The behaviour you describe — intermittent video that sometimes returns only after removing all power, a one-time perfect output from a PCI ATI card, and no POST/beeps — most often points at power-delivery or motherboard-initialization problems rather than a definitively "fried" CPU. This expands on points from and while giving practical next steps.

Core observations and likely causes

  • Fans and the optical drive spinning only prove some +12V rail activity; they do not guarantee the 3.3V/5V rails or CPU 12V/5V rails are stable under load.
  • Intermittent recovery after fully removing power (battery removal) suggests residual-charge issues, failing capacitors, VRM instability, or BIOS/initialization faults.
  • A single successful PCI card boot shows the board can initialize video at least once — useful diagnostically, but not conclusive.

Actionable checklist (do these in order)

  • Confirm a POST speaker is connected and functional. If no speaker is present you will not hear beep codes; attach one to the MB speaker header and try again with RAM removed.
  • Do a minimal bench boot: motherboard, CPU/heatsink, one known-good RAM stick in the recommended slot, PSU, and video card (or onboard). Remove HDD/optical/extra cards. Observe POST behavior.
  • Verify the 4/8-pin CPU power connector is seated. Measure PSU rails with a multimeter (or swap in a known-good PSU) — flaky PSUs are common causes of intermittent POST/video.
  • Inspect the motherboard visually for bulging/leaking capacitors, scorch marks, or damaged components around the northbridge/VRMs and VGA area.
  • Test the ATI PCI card in another working PC (or try a different PCI card in the Presario) to rule out a card-specific fault.
  • If available, use a POST diagnostic card to get POST codes; this often narrows the failing subsystem quickly.

If the PCI card boots consistently after a known-good PSU swap, using that card is a reasonable long-term workaround. If intermittent faults persist despite a known-good PSU and no visible damage, the motherboard’s power circuitry or its VGA subsystem is the likely culprit — replacement board vs. new system should be weighed by cost. Avoid BIOS flashing or reflow attempts until power stability is confirmed.

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Member Avatar for jbennet

sounds like a dead PSU, motherboard or CPU. Please keep it on site though, warned.

Member Avatar for caperjack

the bootable linux disk was a good check of cpu , I assume you got some power if the cdrom drive works

Member Avatar for fvdave30

Yes I seem to be getting power to the cd rom and all fans in the pc. That seems to be all though

Member Avatar for caperjack

Yes I seem to be getting power to the cd rom and all fans in the pc. That seems to be all though

ok,sounds like a failing power supply ,not enough just to go all the way .

Member Avatar for fvdave30

I took out the cmos battery for about 5 hours and then put it back in. I got the computer to start up with video. The video image edges were all shaky like a oat leaf edge. I tried to correct this issue but with no luck. After restarting the computer the video would not come through again to the monitor. Do you still think that the psu is the area that I need to concentrate on?

Member Avatar for caperjack

yes and no,it could be psu getting bad ,make sure the cpu's heatsinc and fan are on correctly ,make sure there is thermal past on the cpu !

Member Avatar for fvdave30

Ever time I remove all power to the computer and motherboard I can then get a video response through the monitor. I put in a pci ATI video card in and then got a perfect picture. I turned the computer off and retired it but then got no video response again. Could it still be a psu issue or a short on the motherboard primarily at the video chip?

Thanks for the help

Member Avatar for jbennet

The onboard video chip on the motherboard is just dead. Just ise the ATI one instead.

Member Avatar for caperjack

i turned the computer off and retired it

what does that mean !
When i retired my old p166 ,i unplugged it and threw it in the garbage

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