Member Avatar for punkvixen

so i have an older model emachine. just recently when i go to start the computer the emachine logo appears and then another screen which i'm guessing is the BIOS appears and then after that the computer screen goes completely black. i can pull up the safe mode menu but the computer won't start in safe mode or the last known configuration that worked, the screen just goes black again. i have already removed the battery in the motherboard, let it sit out, and then replaced it. i have also checked to make sure the fans are running, which they are. so i need help with this one....any suggestions??

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by Bob_180_Bob

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Summary of the situation reported by : the eMachine shows the logo and BIOS screen, then the display goes black; the F8 Safe Mode menu appears but selecting any boot option leads to the same black screen. CMOS battery was removed and fans run, so POST at least begins.

Focused diagnostics not covered above: a blank screen after BIOS usually points to either a video/output problem, an early OS/driver failure, or power/motherboard trouble. Quick checks that are inexpensive and non-destructive include: test with a different monitor and video cable (or try the same monitor on another PC); observe the HDD activity LED and listen for drive spin after the BIOS splash; press Caps Lock and watch the keyboard LED to see if the system is responding even with no display; note any POST beep patterns (refer to the eMachine/beep-code list). Physical checks: inspect the motherboard for bulging or leaking electrolytic capacitors (common on some older consumer boards), reseat memory modules and test one DIMM at a time, and reseat or remove any discrete video card to see if onboard video restores output.

If the hardware checks above are inconclusive, use an external boot medium to separate hardware from OS problems: boot from a Linux/utility CD (or known-good rescue disc) to see whether a desktop appears. If a live CD displays successfully, the problem is likely Windows/driver corruption and the software repairs referenced by become relevant. If nothing displays even from a live CD, suspect video hardware, the power supply, or motherboard faults (capacitors/VRM). Before major repairs, recover important files by connecting the HDD to another machine or using a USB adapter.

Cautions and next steps: exercise ESD precautions when opening the case and avoid power tests unless comfortable with hardware. If signs point to PSU or motherboard component failure, replacement is usually more reliable than part-by-part repair on a low-cost eMachine.

Member Avatar for Bob_180_Bob

Hi,
Try a few of these and see how you go:

A lot of problems can be fixed with a simple solution, please try to one or, if necessary, all of the following to try and get your PC working again. Start at the first, working your way to the last, that is, if you are able to access the programs shown. If you know your way around a PC, I am sorry for the full details but this is to help people that don’t know how.

Check Disk

1. Right click your disk drive icon (normally “C”),
2. Click “Properties.”
3. Click “Tools”
4. In “Error checking” click “Check Now”
5. Check the 2 boxes, “Automatically fix file system errors” and “Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors”
6. Click “Start”
7. At the pop-up window “The disk check could not……” Click “Yes”
8. Re-boot your PC and allow disk checker to start. (Do not press any key before it starts)

Alternative Start Mode

1. Re-boot PC, after the single “Beep” tap F8 several times until the windows boot window appears.
2. Scroll to “Start with last known good configuration.)
3. Press “Enter”

Or
4. Re-boot PC, after the single “Beep” tap F8 several times until the windows boot window appears.
5. Scroll to “Safe Mode” (With networking, if you want to access the internet)
6. Press “Enter”

System Restore from boot

1. Re-boot PC, after the single “Beep” tap F8 several times until the windows boot window appears.
2. Scroll to “Safe Mode” and press “Enter”
3. A window will open asking if you want to use “System Restore”
4. Select “Cancel” to enter “System Restore”
5. Ensure “Restore to an earlier time” is checked and click “Next”
6. Select an earlier date when your PC worked well. (Must be a highlighted date)
7. Click “Next”
8. Allow system restore and reboot.
9. Check to see if problem still exists.

System Restore

1. Go “Start”
2. “All programs”
3. “Accessories”
4. “System tools”
5. “System Restore”
6. Ensure “Restore to an earlier time” is checked and click “Next”
7. Select an earlier date when your PC worked well. (Must be a highlighted date)
8. Click “Next”
9. Allow system restore and reboot.
10. Check to see if problem still exists.


Clean Boot

1. Go “Start”
2. “Run”
3. Type “msconfig”
4. Click “OK”
5. Click “Services”
6. Check box “Hide all Microsoft services”
7. Click “Disable All”
8. Click “Apply”
9. Click “Restart”
10. System will reboot, Check if problem still exists. (Do not access the internet or open any file you are unsure of as you have no virus protector running.)
11. If problem is fixed, enable the disabled items 1 at a time until you find the one causing the problem. If not fixed, re-enable all and re-boot.


To Repair Windows XP from your XP CD…..

1. Re-start PC with XP CD in drive (Have your serial number handy)
2. As your PC starts press “F12” for boot menu (Or what your PC may ask for)
3. Scroll to and select “boot from CD.”
4. At prompt “Press any key to boot from CD” Press “Any key”
5. In the Windows XP Setup window, Press “Enter” to set up windows XP, (Don’t worry, this is a repair only, not a fresh install.)
6. At next window, Press “F8” to accept license agreement
7. Wait until windows displays your current version of XP and asks “To repair the selected windows XP installation press R”
8. Press “R”
9. Enter serial number when prompted.
10. Wait for files to be copied (PC will indicate 39 mins, it will take a lot less.)
11. When asked to adjust Regional language options, click “Next” as it is still set.
12. PC will re-boot.
13. If you have AVG Free, copy serial number to a file as you will lose it on repair. After repair a window will pop up asking how you want to treat AVG, Click repair and when prompted enter serial number.
14. Check to see if problem still exists.

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