I just installed a new motherboard and celeron 533 processor and new memory. When I start it up I just get a blank screen. The monitor keeps going into standby mode after a few seconds. I can hear the HD start up but the led does not come on. The CD-ROM starts but quits. I get no beebs from the speaker. If I try to turn it off with the power switch it won't turn off. Any ideas? Thanks

First thing to try is boot the system out of the case. Use motherboard, video card, memory and CPU, plug in a keyboard. Put it on a tabletop or cardboard, you only need to run it long enough to see a picture. If it gets video it has a ground problem, cardboard washers from a computer shop should fix that.

If you have no video out of the case you have a bad component, start swapping them until either you get video or rule out everything but motherboard and CPU. Both of those would have to be tested at a shop, I don't know of any way for a home user to test them and get definite results.

To turn it off hold the power button down for about 5 seconds, it should go off. When swapping components always remember to switch off the main power or unplug it. the board still has current going to it when just turned off at the power button in front of the case.

If you get no beeps from the speaker turn the speaker wires around, where they plug into the board. If you still get no beeps you have either a ground problem or a more serious hardware failure.

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Hello Zoomer
You have a similar problem to Gambler.
I'm an upstart and probably duplicating some of what you said Pete.

I'm using diagnostic flow charts.
1. I assume the PC is not dead (you have activity)[do you have fans working?].
2. It appears that POST did not run and that there were no audible beeps. This is, therefore, a POST problem.
3. I will assume that the power supply voltages are correct.[test if possible]
4. Disconnect all peripherals and system adapter cards except the keyboard and monitor.[After switching off and disconnecting from the power source naturally]
5. Boot the PC and if POST still does not run you have a faulty system board.[Only if your power supply is good]
6. If it does run; re-connect the floppy and run advanced diagnostics if you can and test the system board. If the system board fails the tests then it is faulty. If it passes the tests then:
7. Switch off, re-connect one peripheral or adapter card and reboot. If post does not run then this last item is faulty. If it does boot, test this last item with the diagnostics software. If it fails the test it is faulty.
8. Repeat step 7 untill all items are reconnected and re-test the whole system.

If it still does not function send me an Email.

Thanks for the suggestions. I tried everything then took it to a computer shop and they tested everything and the motherboard was bad.