OT:Troubleshoot PC with no monitor display?

J_Mac wrote on 1/2/2006, 12:12 PM
So I booted up this morning, after being gone for a few days, and I get the Blue SOD with the error message 'Bugcode_USB_Driver', just nbefore the Windows XP start up screen. I did a Search and found that some times the HT setting in the Bios, needs to be turned off, as it is a conflict. In the Bios, I had no HT switches, but there was a 'enable/disable legacy USB devices' switch, which I enabled thinking it would resolve the conflict. I rebooted and now I have nothing displaying on my monitors. My PC does not go through the POST, or if it does I can't tell. How can one diagnose PC problems if you have no visual? Can you suggest a troubleshooting site?
I have switched monitors, and tested the current monitor on a separate system. Thanks for any help or suggestions. John.

Comments

Coursedesign wrote on 1/2/2006, 12:17 PM
One thing that might work is to restart with "Last Known Good Configuration". Worst case you may have to restart with your Windows CD-ROM, if you have it.

These will require hitting a function key [continuously in practice] on boot-up, which one depends on your version of Windows and sometimes the PC manufacturer.

Please tell us what's your hardware and OS version.
J_Mac wrote on 1/2/2006, 12:58 PM
Dual AMD 2000+ CPU
1 AGP ATI 7500 video card
1 PCI ATI 7500 dual head
1 gig RAM
XP PRO, SP2 all updated
Audigy platinum sound card
Tyan Tiger mobo

The issue is no monitor display as the PC does not enter post. When I hit the power button I get a long beep and a short beep. Is there a list of the beep codes somewhere?
No display. Just a lot of fans running. So I am not able to do anything with the PC mouse keyboards,etc. Thanks, John.
J_Mac wrote on 1/2/2006, 1:02 PM
Looking for boot disc now. John
J_Mac wrote on 1/2/2006, 2:00 PM
It seems the PC doesn't get far enough along in start up, to recognize the floppy, so no luck there. Any other ideas? John.
Coursedesign wrote on 1/2/2006, 2:11 PM
Can you get into the BIOS on bootup?

That would allow you to change the boot order to floppy or CD-ROM first.

(Most people disable floppy and CD-ROm boot normally, for security.)
GenJerDan wrote on 1/2/2006, 3:01 PM
The beep codes go along with the BIOS. You could do a search for "Phoenix beep codes" or "AMI beep codes" or whatever the appropriate BIOS is.

But just 2 beeps? They're usually 4...
J_Mac wrote on 1/2/2006, 3:11 PM
Can't get to the BIOS. Still 2 beeps. I'll keep searching. Thanks, John.
craftech wrote on 1/2/2006, 3:28 PM
Try turning off the switch on the back of the ATX power supply. Then turn it back on and try booting up again. The beep code you described indicates a system board problem, but a power problem will activate that code. Try doing what I said first.

John
rmack350 wrote on 1/2/2006, 3:54 PM
Many motherboards have a jumper for resetting the BIOS back to the default settings. Typically you would turn the system off and move the jumper to the position to clear the BIOS, for maybe a 10-count, and then move the jumper back before starting the system.

Failing that, just remove the battery for a 10-count. You'll have to reset the clock afterwards.

Rob Mack
rmack350 wrote on 1/2/2006, 3:58 PM
Also, I've seen motherboards with two different key combos to get into BIOS. One usually gives access to more settings. You might keep your eyes open for that as you hunt for solutions.

Obviously, you won't have any sort of hyperthreading setting to turn off on this board since it uses AMD CPUs, so don't look too hard for it ;-)

Rob Mack
J_Mac wrote on 1/2/2006, 4:00 PM
''1-1-3-3 Same as AMI BIOS 2 beeps. Replace the motherboard ''

http://www.hardwarecentral.com/hardwarecentral/tutorials/13/3/

From the search on beep codes.
Power Supply switch incurs no change result. Replacing mobo seems a littlle premature, but, you gotta love an upgrade.
What about pulling the battery, to reset the CMOS? Thanks again. John
J_Mac wrote on 1/2/2006, 4:02 PM
rmack, I'll give it a try. Thanks, John.
rmack350 wrote on 1/2/2006, 4:20 PM
Figuring out what the beep code means should be the first step. In the mean time you culd try simplifying the system. Reset BIOS, Use PS2 keyboard and mice, Remove extra expansion cards, maybe remove all the disc drives, simplfy the DIMMs (use just one module in slot # 1, try one then the other). Also just try reseating things. A friend recently had a problem with the ATX power connector that could be solved by reseating the power connector (but the manufacturer insisted on replacing the motherboard since the problem was known and recurring to them.)

I'd probably get any important drives out of the system before trying anything. In the future you might look into making a BARTPE CD to boot a bare system from. You can find an article on this at Tom's Hardware.

Rob Mack
craftech wrote on 1/2/2006, 5:24 PM
Ditto on everything Rob said. But please try what I said before you clear your bios settings. Unless of course, you wrote them all down first.

John
J_Mac wrote on 1/2/2006, 5:26 PM
Pulling the battery got me into the setup and restore the defaults. Now I can get thru the Windows XP screen. 'Last known config', crashes at the same point. Error message is 'bugcode_usb_driver". I pulled my USB card and hub, and am now trying system restore. Thanks for your help. It's making progress. John.
J_Mac wrote on 1/2/2006, 5:41 PM
I'm up! It seems the trick was to set system restore in safe mode, twice. So far so good. I am a happy camper, and certainly appreciate your help. John.