In Progess - How to ask for troubleshooting help V2

The idea here is to help you organize your thoughts and communicate effectively. Remember, the more work you put into your post asking for help, the more likely we are to want to help you. 200 word paragraphs with no punctuation will not help your cause.

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Step one: Title
Don't title your post "Help!" or "I'm Stuck!" because we already guessed that. Try to make your title attract the right person that will know how to help.
Examples:
No lights, no fans!
P5Q and Q6600 locks on post
Hard drive squeaks


Step two: The Opening
Make your first sentence or two a BRIEF STATEMENT of the problem. "My computer stopped working" is not helpful. "I can no longer see anything on my screen or hear any noises from my computer" is better.

Step three: History
When was the last time the computer worked right?
Was there something that happened right before things got bad?
Did you install some hardware?
Did you install some software?

Step four: The Full Story:
Tell us exactly what is happening.
This might include the sequence of sounds or lights when you press the power button. Careful observation on your part might well make the difference when old hands are figuring your problem out.
Write down error messages as they happen then include those. If the problem is a lock up, say what kind of lock up.
Is it just the program that locks?
Does the operating system lock up?

Step five: The specs
List each one of the parts in your computer. This must be a full list. If some parts are from an older build, this might be important.
CPU
Motherboard (model number)
RAM (Model number, speed, timings, voltage)
CPU cooler (stock or not, model if applicable)
Video Card (model number)
Power Supply (model number, or company and wattage at least)
Hard drive(s)
Operating System
Case (for cooling issues)
ANY other parts. If you have an ipod plugged in, we want to know.

[b]Step six:[/b]
List all the steps you have taken to resolve this yourself. Number them.
1.
2.
3.

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Resources:

TH: READ before posting about boot problems!

Maximum PC on BSODs

Ultimate BIOS Guide: Every Setting Decrypted and Explained! -Maximum PC
This is a printable version.

Poor or No Electrical Ground - What to Do About It

HardwareLogic: My Computer Won't Start (DEAD)

CPU-Z Vital for overclocking, but also for detecting RAM settings.
Real Temp Just measures CPU core temps. Does it well.
HWMonitor Tracks many temps and a few other useful things.

Memtest86+ Useful for detecting faulty RAM, not so much incorrectly configured RAM.

Troubleshooting sleep mode issues in Vista
Where to buy a small motherboard speaker.

The Ultimate Boot CD When you need to boot from a CD to sort things out.


This may not be a sticky, but it might be a useful tool. I would link an example of the unorganized and useless pleas for help we get every day, but that would be unkind and they are easy enough to find

Under Step Three: History

How old are the components? (Are some of them reused from a past build, or all purchased new? When was the PC built?)

That's brilliant, really. Thanks! Will update later.

Prox, you are picky man ^_^

I think if we there was a forum fillout form LOL...or some kind of drop down list of what they need help with before they post a thread would be sufficent. With all the stuff Prox listed of course...but a little less intimidating to our friendly geeks to be...

Just my 2 cents...

Still picky ^_^

yea i like that much better, i think it was adding the "that will know how to help" part that did it.

Still working on this.

Hi I have a boot problem that I just can't solve.

Simply...my mobo is booting seemingly perfectly.

-phase LEDs indicate a full CPU boot.
-all fans spin
-general 'hard-drive working' noises

However there is NO post, or recognisable graphical output to my monitor.

I've tried ALOT in isolating the problem, mainly in the CPU area, where I have mounted a back-panel for the HSF, but this has not solved anything, and makes me think the problem lies elsewhere.

Any ideas would be very much appreciated.

*full specs*


Corsair 4GB ddr2
[Force 3D]ATI Radeon 4670
Arctic 500W PSU
Gigabyte GA-EP43-DS3L/S3L mobo
Intel Core 2 Duo E7400 w/ Arctic Freezer Pro 7

Yes please. You can always PM folks and link to your new thread. I'm not the best at troubleshooting, we have many real pros around here. I'm just a guy that writes a lot.

OK I'll say it in red letters then.


START YOUR OWN THREAD!

You can then send me a PM with a link to it if you want me to look.

Hi, Proximon.
A belated Happy New Year.
john