Can't see POST when computer starts

[trien]

Online forums tell you it could either be a:

video card problem[NOT: I've installed a new video card, still has problem], monitor problem, CMOS battery problem[NOT: I've just changed the CMOS battery a few minutes ago, same problem], motherboard problem[it's a new motherboard, still have problem], RAM problem [bIOS runs on ROM memory, not RAM memory!, so RAM or ROM are definitely NOT the problem], power supply problem[everything inside the towers is being powered up, so it can't be the power supply, but IF AND ONLY IF it's the dust inside the fan.], video cable problem[got new video cables, still doesn't solve my problem], etc... so, I'm down to the monitor, or the some other places which I've not sought out. I don't want to waste money buying a new monitor. What if that's not the problem either? I just had no clue. This problem has bugged me for about three weeks now. I came out of the blue.

I have a Dell Dimension B110, Socket 478 CPU, might be "ancient" in computer terms, but I like the way it works. New stuff tend to break down more easily. All parts are original except for those I've aforementioned.

Thanks.

[-pops-]

I cannot see from your message what the problem is.

POST does not normally appear on screen but is a set of beeps which follow a pattern according to what is wrong.

Your description of the machine indicates to me that it is a hotch-potch of different bits which may not be compatible. Remember that Dell tend to use non-standard components in their computers.

I disagree with your statement that "New stuff tend to break down more easily." The machine you are complaining about is not faring too well.

Remember the adage "Don't put new wine in old bottles" - a similar thing may apply here and the money you've spent of patching up, what is, it must be said, an obsolete machine, might have gone a good way towards the purchase of a new model.

In the absence of any detailed knowledge of what the problem is, don't dismiss the power supply unit as being above suspicion. These things quite often show progressive failure and, whilst offering enough power to turn on the lights, are too weak to power up the main components. Remember that, like an aircraft, take-off is the time that the engines need the maximum power.

[pawz7]

I am almost embarassed to say this, but maybe you have just set it to quickstart in the BIOS? That would explain why you are not seeing POST, if that is all the problem is, as distinct from 'not seeing any POST activity and so cannot boot'or 'not seeing POST because the screen is blank'.

A BIOS update might sort pre-boot quirks out if that is what the issue is.

Perhaps a bit more detail on the problem would set us more clearly toward the solution?