Member Avatar for eventhorizon

Setup:
PC desktop
GT5656
Windows vista home premium
3gb ddr2 dual channel
500 gb hard disk
AMD athlon 64x2 6000+

Hello, I turn my computer on and it gives me the "Launch System Repair" and "log into windows vista menu" When I choose either option the computer shuts down. When going to the f8 menu, any option I choose (safe mode etc.) the computer shuts down when it starts loading safe mode or anything else in the menu. HOWEVER, the computer does not shut down if it remains in the menu itself or even the BIOS menu and settings screen, I can navigate and inside the BIOS settings and interact with it and it stays on. I have tried the following and nothing has worked:
- Put new silver paste on chip and cooling part cleaning first the old one.
- Blew air and cleaned all dirt from inside, specially cooling unit on top of processor.
- Reset BIOS taking battery out
- Tried to boot from recovery CD (it shuts down as well)
- Tried to boot from Windows vista service pack 1 CD (shuts down)
- Took out RAM and cleaned
- Tried to make it work with only one RAM stick at the time (it has 2 of 1gb & 2 500mb)
- Tested with 2 other supplies (one same voltage and another gaming one)

***There is no beeping codes or abnormal noises

Fans work and temperature seems normal, but only read it when I'm into the BIOS settings, however not sure if it then overheats when trying to load windows.

Any more ideas??? Is most likely that I need a new motherboard?

Thanks a lot!!!

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by khakilang

Dani AI

Generated

Given the POST display of "no-c" reported by and 's suggestion to watch for caps or burn marks, the fastest way to narrow this down is a strict isolation/bench-test plus a focused visual inspection of the CPU socket/VRM area. That will distinguish a chassis/connector short from a component failure (CPU, socket pins, or motherboard VRMs).

A recommended isolation sequence:

  1. Bench the board outside the case on a nonconductive surface with only the essentials: motherboard, CPU + cooler, one known-good RAM stick (use the manual's primary slot), PSU (24-pin + CPU 4/8-pin), and a small system speaker on the header. No drives, USB, or extra cards. Power on and note POST/beep behavior and any debug-LED codes.
  2. Visual inspection (power off, PSU unplugged): remove the cooler and check the CPU pins for bends or corrosion (AMD CPUs have pins on the CPU), inspect the socket edges, check for cracked solder, bulging caps, discolored/burned MOSFETs around the VRM, and loose standoffs or screws that could short traces.
  3. Rule out the front-panel switch and case short: try powering by shorting the power pins on the header or using a different front-panel cable; if the bench system works this way, a chassis short or front-panel fault is likely.

How to read results:

  • Boots successfully on the bench: fault is usually a short to the chassis, a bad front-panel connector, or an add-in card/drive.
  • Still a "no-c" or immediate shutdown on the bench: very likely CPU, bent pins, or VRM failure. At that point the only conclusive test is swapping in a known-good CPU or testing the CPU in a known-good board.
    Handle components with ESD care and consider local parts-swap service if no spare CPU/motherboard is available—a physical swap is the quickest, reliable verdict on whether the CPU or the board has failed.
Member Avatar for khakilang

Have you check the graphics card? Unplug the graphics and use the on board graphics card. Also test out your RAM 1GB at a time to check which RAM module is faulty. Currently this are the two things I can think of. Good luck!

Member Avatar for eventhorizon

Have you check the graphics card? Unplug the graphics and use the on board graphics card. Also test out your RAM 1GB at a time to check which RAM module is faulty. Currently this are the two things I can think of. Good luck!

Hi, I just ran a POST test with a card I just bought. According to the code (no-c) the CPU is dead or improperly set, cooled etc. I did the paste, put it back, disconnect, reconnect the fan's power.
My question now is, having BIOS working, is it only the CPU or also the mobo screwed?

Member Avatar for khakilang

My guess will be the mobo. I haven't come across any screw CPU so far. Look at the mobo closely and see whether there is any burn smell when turn on or some capacitor bulge up or some brown stain on top. The capacitor is the round like tube. The color maybe light blue or green. If its bulge up or brown stain than the mobo is faulty.

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