VOGONS


First post, by Spitz

User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member

I do have problem with my CompaqPresario 425. It's not powering on. I mean the CRT is glowing OK but motherboard is dead, for example the HDD is not spinning. No visual problems both PSU and MB. Any quick tips?

Thanks for the help.

Well... I miss 80/90s ... End of story

Reply 1 of 9, by PD2JK

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

-Check all voltages and caps
-Clean the 'gold' contacts at the edge of the board, I had similar problems with this when I owned a Presario 433.
-Reseat and clean the processor and memory modules

i386 16 ⇒ i486 DX4 100 ⇒ Pentium MMX 200 ⇒ Athlon Pluto 700 ⇒ AthlonXP 1700+ ⇒ Opteron 165 ⇒ Dual Opteron 856

Reply 2 of 9, by Spitz

User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member

About he voltages, schematics would be helpful but I know it's a tough case to find it. That's why I started my topic ...

Well... I miss 80/90s ... End of story

Reply 3 of 9, by PD2JK

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

Well, the hardrive receives power from a molex, so you could poke the multimeter leads in there. For negative voltages, see the ISA slot schematics and be careful not to short any pins.

i386 16 ⇒ i486 DX4 100 ⇒ Pentium MMX 200 ⇒ Athlon Pluto 700 ⇒ AthlonXP 1700+ ⇒ Opteron 165 ⇒ Dual Opteron 856

Reply 4 of 9, by Spitz

User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member
PD2JK wrote on 2025-11-02, 09:41:

Well, the hardrive receives power from a molex, so you could poke the multimeter leads in there. For negative voltages, see the ISA slot schematics and be careful not to short any pins.

True. There is no space but I'll try to figure something. There is a unique connector between MB and CRT/PSU but I don't have schematics with PINs layout...

I wonder if in this particular model, non working CPU or other parts may cause HDD to not spin. Anyway I don't see any led indicator coming to live after I press power button.

Well... I miss 80/90s ... End of story

Reply 5 of 9, by PC@LIVE

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

Reading, from what you write, I would check the power supply, because it should run the HDD, when you turn on the PC.
One test you can do is to disconnect the motherboard, and leave the power supply connected to the HDD only, if you turn it on and it doesn't turn, it means that one or more voltages are not in place.
Maybe you can check all the voltages of the power supply, but it's not said that if they are there, then by connecting the MB, it works.

AMD 286-16 287-10 4MB HD 45MB VGA 256KB
AMD 386DX-40 Intel 387 8MB HD 81MB VGA 256KB
Cyrix 486DLC-40 IIT387-40 8MB VGA 512KB
AMD 5X86-133 16MB VGA VLB CL5428 2MB and many others
AMD K62+ 550 SOYO 5EMA+ and many others
AST Pentium Pro 200 MHz L2 256KB

Reply 6 of 9, by Spitz

User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member
PC@LIVE wrote on 2025-11-02, 10:54:

Reading, from what you write, I would check the power supply, because it should run the HDD, when you turn on the PC.
One test you can do is to disconnect the motherboard, and leave the power supply connected to the HDD only, if you turn it on and it doesn't turn, it means that one or more voltages are not in place.
Maybe you can check all the voltages of the power supply, but it's not said that if they are there, then by connecting the MB, it works.

Not possible to leave psu connected to hdd only. Power suply goes through MB.

Well... I miss 80/90s ... End of story

Reply 7 of 9, by GigAHerZ

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie

I have Compaq Prolinea 4/25, that is also completely dead: Compaq ProLinea 4/25s - Seems to be dead, ideas?

So I'm keeping my eye on this topic. 😀

"640K ought to be enough for anybody." - And i intend to get every last bit out of it even after loading every damn driver!
A little about software engineering: https://byteaether.github.io/

Reply 8 of 9, by Spitz

User metadata
Rank Member
Rank
Member
GigAHerZ wrote on 2025-11-03, 15:10:

I have Compaq Prolinea 4/25, that is also completely dead: Compaq ProLinea 4/25s - Seems to be dead, ideas?

So I'm keeping my eye on this topic. 😀

I'm not gonna give up on this one easily.
Does the HDD in Your Prolinea spin?

I do have question GigAHerZ - maybe I have solution for Your problem. Can You send me a good picture of Your MB? Near the button cell battery quarter?

Well... I miss 80/90s ... End of story

Reply 9 of 9, by GigAHerZ

User metadata
Rank Oldbie
Rank
Oldbie
Spitz wrote on 2025-11-03, 16:32:
I'm not gonna give up on this one easily. Does the HDD in Your Prolinea spin? […]
Show full quote
GigAHerZ wrote on 2025-11-03, 15:10:

I have Compaq Prolinea 4/25, that is also completely dead: Compaq ProLinea 4/25s - Seems to be dead, ideas?

So I'm keeping my eye on this topic. 😀

I'm not gonna give up on this one easily.
Does the HDD in Your Prolinea spin?

I do have question GigAHerZ - maybe I have solution for Your problem. Can You send me a good picture of Your MB? Near the button cell battery quarter?

Replied to your post in my thread - it's currently stored away so I can't currently provide any additional pictures. The thread has one "overview" picture, maybe that could help?

Thank you!

"640K ought to be enough for anybody." - And i intend to get every last bit out of it even after loading every damn driver!
A little about software engineering: https://byteaether.github.io/