I have a HP pavilion with windows 98. One day it just wouldn't turn on. When I pressed the power button, nothing happened: no lights or sounds or anything. About a week later I tried to turn it on again and the lights turned on, and I heard the computer running, but when I turned on the monitor, it said:
"Please check video cable connection." I made sure all the cables and wires were secure and in the right spot, but still nothing. I flipped the kill switch on the back of the CPU, but still nothing. I tried different outlets: nothing. I just need to turn on the computer so I can retrieve some files. The only way I know of to retrieve the files is to remove the hard drive and hook it up to my other computer, but I don't know how, and I don't want to spend money to get a professional to do it, so how can I get my computer to turn on right?
2007-10-27 11:03:48 · 3 answers · asked by luigi10liker 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
also, when I plug the computer into the wall outlet, it turns on by itself (without me pressing the power button), and when I press the power button, nothing happens.
2007-10-27 11:11:29 · update #1
When you take out your hard drive, note its name and model number. Go to their website and see what pin settings are needed to make it a slave drive. Now hook it up to your current pc with the ribbon cable all ready inside.
When you boot up, be sure the BIOS is set for auto detect of hard drives. You get to the BIOS by clicking on the del or F3 or some other key that it tells you as the boot sequence starts.
Now when you go in you will see a new drive listed. You can take whatever files you want using windows explorer and copy them to your current drive.
2007-10-27 11:11:59 · answer #1 · answered by ignoramus 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like you need to unplug the computer. Then take a screw driver and open the case. Look inside. If you see where your monitor cable is plugged in, take a real close look. Is it plugged into a card that is attached to the main board, or is it plugged directly into the main board?
A. If it is plugged into the main board then you will have to move the hard drive to another computer. I will provide a link to a tutorial on how to do this as link 1.
B. If it is plugged into a card that is attached to the motherboard, then unplug the monitor cable. Next there should be a srew holding the card down. Take it out. Now pull up on the card until it slips out of the slot. Now you need to reinsert the card. Sometimes the cards get loose and reinserting them can fix the problem. After re-inserting the card put the screw back in and hook the monitor cable back in. Put the computer back together and plug it back in. Then turn it on and see if your problem is fixed. If it is not fixed, then you will likely need a new video card, or follow the instructions in link 1 for removing the hard drive.
Replacement of a video card is not difficult either. See Link 2 on how to do this.
** Note to move the hard drive pay attention to the guide where it talks about the jumper settings. You want this old drive to be a slave drive when you put in in your other computer..
Note to your followup: It really sounds as if you have a motherboard issue. As such you would be best to move the hard drive to your other system. New motherboards will cost you roughly $300 USD to replace (One that comes with memory and a processor with video) Link 3 is a good source for motherboards.
2007-10-27 18:27:35 · answer #2 · answered by Phill Lee 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your computer is not working properly when it is switched on, there is a hardware problem. Most of these problems can be solved by just opening up the computer and removing the dust . Detailed instructions at http://fixit.in/computerbeep.html
2007-10-27 20:01:11 · answer #3 · answered by saf r 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋