Desktop PC won't reboot after adding memory

[dlee39]

I have a eMachines T4060 256 Ram. Tried to add 1gb chip this morning from Silicon Mountain (their rep said it was compatible). After inserting chip, system tried to reboot and but would not reboot and screen turned blank. I turned system off. I echatted with eMachines and they said new chip might be bad. Was instructed and did the following: removed the new 1GB chip and everything was OK again (PC rebooted OK). Then I tried to take out original 256 ram chip and install the new 1gb ram in its socket. With only the new 1GBchip in its socket I got no reboot and blank screen came up again. I removed the new 1gb chip and reinserted the original 256 chip back in its socket and now the system will not reboot. But very briefly as the sytem was trying to come up, the monitor flashed the following: (self test/check your PC and signal cable/monitor is working) and then the screen goes blank; PC will not reboot.

Echatted with eMachines again and they said remove the lithium (looks like a large watch battery) battery and wait 2 hours maybe battery discharged and would need to reset BIOS CMOS after removing/reinserting it. I did this (removed battery and later reinserted and same thing. No reboot and same message on monitor. Their rep now says the motherboard may be damaged and or just take it to service center for review. Cannot reset BIOS or CMOS if the monitor is not displaying anyway, she said.

I was pretty careful about proper handling and static charge, etc and feel motherboard was probably not damaged. She suggested replacing battery or motherboard or just seek repair (she really just gave up). The motherboard kinda sounds like stock response and the cause of every problem!

Did the Silicon chip create all the problems? Will replacing battery help? What else can I try? Please help.

[PCguy]

It sounds like you are suffering from a bit of coincidence.

How old is your motherboard?

I dont believe adding incompatable memory will cause an issue with your MB. I severely doubt swapping the battery will make any difference.

[Gecko]

dlee39,

I have actually seen this on an Emachine before, you have to reset the bios/cmos.
Removing or replacing the battery will not reset the bios/cmos you have to jumper a different pin set.

Make sure the old ram is in before you try this:
Somewhere on the mother board near the battery usually, is a three pin set marked reset bios/cmos.
The jumper will either be on pins 1+2 or 2+3, you have to unplug the system first.
Then move the jumper to the other pins, power up the system (it will not post) and then power off the system unplug it again and put the jumper back.

[dlee39]

Gecko, thanks much for the advice. I tried your suggestion and unfortunately, it didn't help. I'll be dropping off the PC to a tech friend who will take a closer look at the motherboard and wiring and cable connections.