My computer died, and with it all my art went too

[Candras]

:(
I tried to put ram in it and didn't have it in right, turned it on and the monitor acts like the computer isnt on now :(
This is my only house computer I have, how am I going to practice digital painting now!? And all my previous art is gone, along with most of my music.

Anyone know what could be wrong with my computer?

[Aly Fell]

Did you put more ram in? Your PC might not be able to cope with more than a certain amount. If so, take out the new ram and put the old back in.

[Matsign]

Sounds like you'll be working traditionally for a while. :)

Can you access your disk drives to see if it is really all gone? If your operating system is booting up I can't understand why the rest of your stuff is gone, unless you have multiple HDs.

I want to say that as long as your hard-drive didn't fry, you should be able to salvage that data.

Going to need more information though.

[NoSeRider]

Did your hard drive die or your circuit board die?

If your circuit board died, you can put your hard drive in another computer and you'll still have your art.

[TASmith]

hmmmm that incredibly sucks, my heat goes out to you. I've got a little curse of my own, every time I put lots of irreplaceable stuff on my computer something bad happens. It's inevitable. One computer was stolen. another got a virus, etc. Here's two lessons I learned:

1. work traditionally and take digital pictures.
2. buy an external hardrive and save your stuff.

[N D Hill]

I lost a machine to a lightening strike a few years back. I lost high-res parent files for old work that I'll never be able to print or reproduce at higher than web quality. Ever since then I've been making backups religiously.

This is for anyone reading. If you are not making back ups, now is as good a time as any to start. I'm sure everyone has heard this before and I'm sure it comes off as preachy. Never the less, they will save you a ton of frustration.

[Candras]

Thanks everyone
I put my original ram in and it still wouldn't work. I don't know what is still working or not working, my monitor acts like the computer isn't on.

[dbclemons]

...Anyone know what could be wrong with my computer?

Most likely you've just fried your motherboard. Take it to a service shop and have them check it out. Chances are good that your hard drive and files are fine, and you can just replace the board. You might also want to investigate getting a separate system for emergency situations like this.

[N D Hill]

Thanks everyone
I put my original ram in and it still wouldn't work. I don't know what is still working or not working, my monitor acts like the computer isn't on.

So you computer powers up normally but the video output isn't working? I would have a repair guy check it out and isolate your problem.

[nimadez]

Dear Candras, Im computer engineer,

Problem is about your Mainboard BIOS, turn off computer, drop out battery in mainboard and turn it on for 30sec, then turn off again and place battery...now turn on...If nothing happened you need BIOS Update or if you have your current Bios in disk/CD, you can use it...(if you don't have it visit your mainboard brand website and download latest BIOS)

NOTE: After remove and replace battery, you need to load default options in Setup

Problem is exactly from your Mainboard...

If you tell me how many RAM you have and what is your Mainboard model, I can help you more than this...some mainboards have conflict with types of Ram, and some mainboards need Bios update to support more than 4GB of Ram...

don't be confused, your informations inside H.D.D never loss by such problem...you have all of them right now...

Hope it helps...

[Candras]

Thanks
I'm not at home at the moment but I can still read if you respond through my wii.
I was only trying to put in a gig of ram, but I didn't put it in right so my computer beeped a few times and then the monitor started to act like my computer wasn't on.

Is the battery you're talking about the circular one?

[nimadez]

Can you tell me how many BEEP you heard and what is it's rhythm?!

I think Beep you hear is for didn't put it right, but when you drop it out and place your old Ram, system most boot-up without any problem...but now you have a problem and your PC can't boot-up...then problem is about lossing Bios...

Mainboard Battery hold Bios informations (most important informations of your mainboard), when you loss it, system can't boot-up successfuly and your mainboard can't find other hardwares...

[Candras]

I don't remember how many, it was either two or three
The thing was is that I didn't even have my ram clipped in, so when I started it, there was no ram in the computer.

But when I do that battery thing, should that make my monitor work with my comp? My computer can turn on and everything, the monitor just acts like the computer isn't on.

[Costau D]

Did you blow in the cartridge?

Actually I'm kidding. I remember having a similar problem. Taking out the battery and putting it back in helped, not to mention I had to take out the extra ram I put in. I actually thought it was my video card at first, but it's a common problem people run into. It's a pain in the butt to get that battery out so be careful. Taking out the battery is like a very hard restart. The bios will be set back to manufacture settings.

[nimadez]

2 or 3 Beeps mean as You don't have RAM or GPU (graphic card) in the right place...

Try something to make sure computer boot-up in windows and problem is just can't see anything on monitor, try this: (if your windows don't need login password)

Turn on computer, wait for around 1 minute to boot-up into windows, then continusly press shift key (no difference left or right shift), if you hear BEEP like sound after pressing shift key for 9~10 times, your computer is healthy and you are inside windows, then problem is about Monitor...If nothing happened, your computer don't boot-up successfuly and you have problem with your GPU...possibly you shaken GPU and Card slowly drop out of slot...try push your GPU card into slot to make sure successfuly connected...

Sometimes when Bios have problem, GPU can't relay signals to monitor...but this is uncommon for new mainboards...

[nimadez]

cosmochimp is right, after remove and replace battery you most load default settings in mainboard setup, because you don't have even HDD drives after such reset...try hit "DEL" after turn on computer and enter setup, then you have something like "LOAD DEFAULT SETTINGS", select it and press yes...

but there are nothing to worry about battery, you can always load default settings...

[nimadez]

Dear Dan Bird, only some mainboard brands and models have those jumpers, for example I have Gigabyte P35-DS3L and it's totally jumper-less...
Another thing is what if he moved wrong jumpers or if he forget location of removed jumper!!!?...problem get more worse...

But If you want to try BIOS reset by jumpers, please first read your mainboard reference...this is really important...

[dark eagle]

I think the best thing to do is to get a computer dude around to see what has happened tell him you want the data on you drive safe. Ask the person to make a duplicate you can do this somehow, you just take the drive out of the PC and they put the info you want into a external hd which you have to buy ofcourse. Then that way you'll be able to work on your stuff on another PC till yours is sorted.

[nimadez]

Yes, I think thats the better choice, go for the nearby computer shop and fix it...I think this is not worse problem and could fix in some hours...

This is really hard to understand problem and fix it in forum!

[DSillustration]

Thanks everyone
I put my original ram in and it still wouldn't work. I don't know what is still working or not working, my monitor acts like the computer isn't on.

It's quite possible that when you opened up you computer to install the new RAM you bumped your video card.
These things are very temperamental on most PC's and the slightest nudge will loosen the connection.

I have had this exact thing happen to me before.
Try taking the video card out, and pushing it back in just to be sure.

[h2rra]

Few weeks ago I exchanged graphic cards with my brother and after inserting a new card my computer completely stopped working after few seconds. I tried everything - putting old card back, changed power supply etc. Nothing worked but suddenly I saw this battery thing on motherboard and changed it. Everything worked normally except that BIOS was reset. I took the battery from brother's comp and his works fine without it. btw I have a 2 years old comp with gigabyte motherboard. Is it normal for battery to only last 2 years?

Candras you might have a similar issue. Try buying a new battery, it should be very cheap.

[Pavel Sokov]

Happaned to me ages ago, bought new ram, plugged it in the wrong, turned it on, and boom, sparks and a burned smell.
fried my motherboard, ram, and video card.
good luck

[Izi]

Also - back up your godamned art files on a free virtual drive at the very least. I have all of my work files saved on both Diino and Windows skydrive...they're free up to a certain amount. It works. Deviantart is great for hosting too. :D

[Slash]

Don't forget to unplug the power cable if you're gonna reset the bios by plucking out the battery. Also, depending on your MB you might need to switch a jumper there and back again.

[CCorsair]

:(
I tried to put ram in it and didn't have it in right, turned it on and the monitor acts like the computer isn't on now :(
This is my only house computer I have, how am I going to practice digital painting now!? And all my previous art is gone, along with most of my music.

Anyone know what could be wrong with my computer?

First I remove the memory you added to see if the computer comes back up.
then I shut down and compare the memory you have in there with what you just got to see if they are the same type(SDram,DDR,DDR2) IF you note there are notches in the memory this is to make sure you have the memory in the right way it will not let you put it in wrong but if your Motherboard is set up more than one type of memeory you could get confused if you have never done this before.

You can google bios been codes for you motherboard and see what error is listed if you are getting I would not count anything lost as data recovery isn't hard unless the hard drive had died and does not spin up then it just cost $$$$ to do the recovery.

I work on system for living and I seen people try to add memeory and lock up the system with the wrong type i had one guy that hammer his memory into the slot(he used rubber mallet after he chiseled the slot) I told him it was user error and ask what was the error I almost say you're too stupid to own computer But think i said You didn't call some with more brains not to use a hammer.. it cost him a full re-build and new OS as he had no CD for the Os he had in the system.. took me week to get his data off the drive as i think it was spinning at half speed he blew the video card the CPU the MB and some how didn't blow the memory.


I don't think you did anything but lock up the bios and that would clear if you get the right memory in the right place.. you might do best to find a good small computer shop(DO NOT USE GEEK SQUAD !! they charge you amr and leg and will tell you need $$$$$$ in repaires and you won't need.

I'm in Calif so i can't make a house call but I hope you can get help just don't panic this can be fixed but I advise that you find someone that know more than you as this may no be something with out have done it before that you get help for. I worked with computer for 30 years so i been in the guts of many and I remember my first time with no help and it was ugly but i did it it took 3 days but got it done..same job not 20mins .. so keep at it get help and you'll see your data soon.

CC

[Flake]

Unless you heard grinding noises, it's extremely unlikely that you've done in your hard drive (which is where your work files live).

Worst case scenario, new mobo, possibly new video card too.

Do you have a techy mate who could remove the drive and see if it's accessible when plugged into his pc? At the very least that would remove the "Omg my stuff is gone forever!" fears.

Really though, this smells like wrong type of ram or loose connection.

Edit: You did check the monitor cable?

Edit 2: Blank discs are 50 for a tenner, that's a lot of storage for sod all. If you care about it or would find it difficult to replace burn a backup, it takes 10 minutes and means you can simply go "sod it, format C" without a care.

[Candras]

I don't have any money available to fix it, or get a new one :(

The original ram is in (DDR).

Well I tried the battery thing but it didn't work, but I forgot to unplug the computer, maybe that is why?

Maybe it is the video card, since the monitor isn't working. I'll try that tonight.

I did check the monitor cables, they are all in good

[_Mario]

I did check the monitor cables, they are all in good

Can you test the monitor itself? Because if you see nothing on the screen then something is really fucked. Normally you get at least some part of the book sequence (if just the RAM were bad).

But from your description your HDD should be okay.

[Candras]

when I unplug the monitor from the computer then it says no signal on the screen, so I assume it is working.

[JustinBeckett]

Backup, always... >:|

[Mr.Razorblades]

If you are using a video card that's plugged into an AGP or PCI-E slot then your card may have taken a shit. To test that plug your monitor into your onboard video card on your mother board, should be on the back near the top. This happened to me before, but not with the ram, computer would come on and nothing would happen, turned out that I knocked a capicator off my video card and it quit working, damn those finicky parts.

[Candras]

Im using an onboard slot

Ill just have to get z new comp I suppose. But you cant with no cash:(

I wamted to make a chow for deep too. Why such bad timing?

[CCorsair]

Im using an onboard slot

Ill just have to get z new comp I suppose. But you cant with no cash:(

I wamted to make a chow for deep too. Why such bad timing?


this is fixable but you need to find some one to help you a friend that knows computers more. Do not play with anything wile the computer is running at all but if you have it plugged in still that will help in keep it grounded .

a Few things is the computer making any sounds at start up and if so i need to know what sounds.
Two are all the fans moving the case fans and CPU fans any other fans on the computer.

3 Listen to see or hear if the Hard Drive is spinning up as well.


If the drive is spinning there is always a chance the system is alive but in a bios lock from the memory not being install right or the video that is built in is dead then all you need is a video card if there is a slot for one to fix that if you are lucky.

BTW is this a bran name computer (dell.HP or E-machine or other? )

Do find help ask around I am sure there is someone that could help you for free that lives near you.

Good luck
CC

[Elwell]

Ill just have to get z new comp I suppose. But you cant with no cash:(

Everybody's telling you this is fixable, and probably fairly easily. Even if you need to take it to a shop, it will still cost less than a new machine. And a new comp doesn't solve the problem of getting the data off the old HD.

[tomwaits4noman]

I lost my laptop to a virus and all the work I had on my external hard drive died
all in the one week....

I learned one important thing multiple back ups.

[CCorsair]

tomwaits4noman
I keep more back-ups than most as I lost a drive with over 16 gigs of art work to a bug(a java bomb) it killed a who drive where I had thought I had things set right .. i didn't and I spend 3 month looking to recover the data and I did . I took that and turn that in to job as I found that most companies pay $1500 to $2500 to cover data but the average home user was givin no break they would pay the same or more and get a dismantled hard drive back and spindle of CD/dvd of data.
I found software that could do a very good job at recovery of data and starting working with people on do recovery for them and have done very well but its a long time between calls and I don't charge an arm and leg for the service (mostly by drive size as it take more time the large the drive)

Candras your computer problem will cost you around $40 to $60 depending who you take to more if you got to any of the big change store.
The end is you can get it fixed with out a new system just some time and the right person helping you.

Good luck

CC

[Slash]

I don't have any money available to fix it, or get a new one :(

The original ram is in (DDR).

Well I tried the battery thing but it didn't work, but I forgot to unplug the computer, maybe that is why?

Maybe it is the video card, since the monitor isn't working. I'll try that tonight.

I did check the monitor cables, they are all in good


If you leave the power cable in, the motherboard is still sucking juice from the psu, and popping the battery won't have an effect. Try it without the power cable in. (And always touch something grounded before fondling your circuitry!)

[Kfeeras]

did you disconnect the power-cable before opening the pc?

every motherboard has a jumper that can be moved to reset your bios. just check out your manual. put the original ram in, move that jumper and see if it will help. helped me when my ram would crash my holy pc. i bought noname-crap-ram and it somehow destroyed my bios-settings, worked fine after reset.

[King Kobra]

I think the best thing to do is to get a computer dude around to see what has happened tell him you want the data on you drive safe. Ask the person to make a duplicate you can do this somehow, you just take the drive out of the PC and they put the info you want into a external hd which you have to buy ofcourse. Then that way you'll be able to work on your stuff on another PC till yours is sorted.
I would go with pyrokid just call a computer dude in to fix it 4 u then its problem solved.