[OT] Machine won't boot [SOLVED]

[Marko Vojinovic]

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