M571 died???

[user]

Hi, my computer has developed a problem:
When problem began sometimes it would not boot at all,
no beep, no video, nothing. Switching on a few
times fixed it in the beginning, then I had to
leave it powered on (but *dead*) for longer
before switching off/on would finally boot it
(no errors reported if it DID boot up, and all
working ok then).
Now I can't get it to boot at all!
(this is posted from another computer)

M571 motherboard
Cyrix 333 processor
flashed bios once to get to latest? version
some time ago

Any ideas apprecciated

[brad]

Try swapping out the CPU and power supply before relegating it to the scrap heap.

Brad

[gilles lussier]

I agree with Brad, this is probably a power supply problem.

[user]

thanks guys, the power supply *appears* to
work though (all the normal noises).
Hard disk powers up as well.
Just no beep & no video etc.

Battery on motherboard measures only 3V though.
Could that prevent it from booting?

[gilles lussier]

Then do as Brad said, try another cpu or test this cpu with another motherboard. Also, make sure te power cable(s) is/are properly inserted onto the motherboard power connector(s). This could also be a motherboard problem.

[user]

hurraaah, I have rigged up another battery 3.6V
and it boots fine now.
Thanks guys for your thoughts.

[brad]

That's strange. Should have had a CMOS battery low warning message on the screen. Oh well, we've all seen a M571 do some wierd things!

Brad

[jim chase]

User, check this link out.

http://www.rason.org/Projects/cmosbatt/cmosbatt.htm

I would 've thought 3.0 volts would be enough but maybe your board has a minor problem draining the battery.

Jim

[user]

Jim, the replacement battery i have got now is a 3V battery (measuring 3.24V new), so the old one
was probably finished. The 3.6V I previously mentioned was just temporarily wired in to test the theory.

[mike fischer]

See my post in "Help... Cmos Batt Dead " thread-
you may see your problem again only worse.