Re: [OT] Machine won't boot [SOLVED]

On Monday 18 August 2008 12:47, Marko Vojinovic wrote:
This is a rather old Celeron machine, 433 MHz with 320 MB ram. It was
working properly up to a couple of days ago, when the first hd started
dying out (which is understandable, given its age and the conditions it's
in).

But then at some point the computer stopped booting completely --- bios
starts (and runs properly, so to speak), then the os (it's windows, I know,
I know) starts booting and does not pass the bootloader phase. Actually, I
do not know exactely where it stops, but all I get is a black screen, even
with no option for a safe mode or anything.

At first I just thought the problem was with the hd dying, but then the
system failed to boot the fresh-and-tested Fedora 9 dvd. It spins up, the
menu for installation appears (the text one, saying "type enter to install,
type linux text to install in text mode" etc), and from that point the
machine is locked up --- the function keys (which should provide extra info
and help) do not work, the NumLock button does not toogle the appropriate
led, nothing. It is frozen stiff, and all I can do is to reset it
(ctrl-alt-del also does not work). Though, the dvd drive button does eject
if pressed.

After a minute or two standing, it resets itself automatically, and starts
over.

Ok, just for the record --- the problem turned out to be a rather rare
situation of both hard drive *and* dvd drive failing simoultaneously. Once
both of them were replaced, the machine came back to life. I figured this out
by using Alan's approach of removing virtually everything unneccessary, and
even substituting vital components with spares (dvd drive, memory and
graphics card) one by one and in combinations, in order to find the failing
component.

Thanks to everyone for suggestions and info, the issue is now successfully
solved. :-)

Best, :-)
Marko

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