Compiling kernel broke my hardware?

Message

remix · Post by **remix** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 7:54 am

in the middle of compiling my kernel on a fresh install, the system hangs up, frozen. so i had no choice but to hard reboot.

i know the kernel has nothing to do with the bios, but when i tried to get it back up, my screen displays nothing. there is no signal.

so i can't even boot into windows, enter my bios settings. nothing comes up.

has something fried? video card? motherboard? proc? ram?

any suggestions?

Kosmas · Post by **Kosmas** » Thu Dec 18, 2008 8:40 am

Hi,

I had a slightly different problem once and it was that the compiling made the processor and the memory overheat (bad cooling) and the computer stopped (blank as yours) after some time when the system cooled down I could power it on again.

My suggestion: Have your hardware checked for equipment that faulted due to overheat (processor, memory, graphics card, even the motherboard)

djdunn · Post by **djdunn** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 2:19 am

i agree it definitively looks like overheating.

if you can take the cover of the case off make sure the sink on the cpu isn't loose make sure the rooms not too hot that your comps not too close to any radiators. if its fairly hot in the room above 75 deg F you might want to use it with the cover off if its really hot you could even aim a fan inside the open case

cwr · Post by **cwr** » Fri Dec 19, 2008 11:17 am

For me, when the world goes dark it's generally that the power supply cord
has become (slightly) loose. Might be worth a quick check, depending.

Will
Answers: 5 cents. Correct answers: 25 cents. Dumb looks: still free.

RMX · Post by **RMX** » Sat Dec 20, 2008 4:19 pm

It happened to me a few times. I'm using a laptop, so I removed the battery for a few minutes, placed it in again and computer started to boot.

bejayel · Post by **bejayel** » Sun Dec 21, 2008 4:25 am

I have had this and i just had to pull the power and reseat it in my computer. If it isnt that, make sure your CPU fan is running fine. Typically, new processors will turn themselves off automatically when they begin to overheat, and they wont let you boot until an optimal temperature is reached. If it isnt the fan, you may need to put a new coat of thermal compound on there.

You should also make sure that your computer is getting a decent amout of power. If you got a six plug splitter full of power bars that are all full, your computer will probably suffer a power shortage if your breaker hasnt already went!

Installing an OS cant just destroy your BIOS... kind of. I have seen linux BIOS's that allo you to boot to very simple linux systems with a very simple gui. Plus, with all the fail safe mechanisms these days, it is pretty hard for installations to just destroy a peiece of hardware.

remix · Post by **remix** » Thu Jan 01, 2009 11:05 pm

i was able to turn on the computer after some days... it just worked... finished compiling my kernel normally.

but now i'm still getting these random blackouts... monitor shuts off, "no signal"

it turned back on in 10 seconds.. now it's off again, and won't turn back on.

i wish i knew if it were the video card... some diagnostic testing or something... i just want to confirm the problem before shelling out a couple hundred bucks on a new vc.

platojones · Post by **platojones** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 1:48 am

It sounds like a video card issue to me...have you tried checking the cable to the monitor...I think you should also remove the video card...check that the contacts are clean then re-seat it. I had these exact symptoms many years ago with a brand new computer...it turns out it came from the factory with a video card that was barely in the slot.

NathanZachary · Post by **NathanZachary** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 4:18 am

You could also try running some tests included on the Ultimate Boot CD. You could also try to max out your processor and monitor the temperature.

fbsduser · Post by **fbsduser** » Fri Jan 02, 2009 5:47 am

I agree with the video card thing. My older sister had a HP desktop PC that came from factory with a barely functional Geforce 4 video card, luckily it had a (obfuscated) built-in S3 ProSavage video chipset in the mainboard that I hooked the monitor to and the computer was up and running.

pappy_mcfae · Post by **pappy_mcfae** » Sat Jan 03, 2009 7:49 am

There are air ducts and a fan opening on every modern laptop, and even some not so. Using compressed air, blow out the air ducts. Blow from the direction of the ducts to the fan. Use a toothbrush or other such implement if the fan hole or the duct holes are really dirty.

Good luck.

Blessed be!
Pappy