Help! No bootup screen :(

[amateur]

Help! There is no bootup screen when i on my comp. The monitor's LED light is on, but nuthin is showing. The comp is running. It is not the monitor or graphics card's problem as I've tested them on another comp. It is not the Hard disk either, its working alright. I suspect its the motherboard or bios. Everything seems to be working fine when I look inside the casing - the graphics card's fan and cpu fan are spinning.

I have been using this comp for several years and without any problem. I have not changed anything in it for months and have not done anything to it at all after the last time I used it, which is half an hour earlier. Could the motherboad just died like that?

I tried troubleshooting, and the funny thing is that once or twice it managed to get to the POST screen, but other than that it just show a blank. Normally when I on my monitor the led light on the it shows yellow, then when my comp powers up, the monitor led turns orange, but in this case when nuthin is showing, it remains yellow and that shows that there is no input from the comp. What is wrong here?

[Fruss Tray Ted]

The doctor is in:
With tongue depressor in hand, the doc says, "Please say ahhh and tell us some system specs please..." :p

Could be your video card but we don't even know if it's onboard or not. Conniptions oops I mean connections maybe?

[david eaton]

Do you get any beeps when you switch on?
Is the Cmos battery any good?

If the battery has gone, the BIOS should reset itself to default, but it may be that the reset has "stuck" halfway. A new battery is a cheaper option than a new M/B or processor!

If that doesn't work, and there are beeps, I would start by removing and reseating the memory sticks (Beware ESD!)

Stick around for other opinions, all is not lost yet.

(edit) The video card is also a prime candidate as FTT said. (/edit)
David

[amateur]

my system:

Duron 700 MHZ
192 SDRAM
Gigabyte 7ZX mobo
Inno 3D Geforce 3 Ti200 graphics
Sumsung cdrom drive
Imation cdrw drive
1 floppy drive
Maxtor 40 Gig (Pri)
Quantum 5 Gig (Sec)

well, it could not be my graphics card as I mention that it works ok in another comp of mine and also it work fine for months now.

secondly it could not be connection as i mention i did not do anything or move anything on it and the last time i used it is half an hour earlier. FYI, i m the only one using this comp.

[Budfred]

I noticed you said you tried the graphics card in another system, so that is less likely to be the problem, but if it is an AGP card make sure that it is well seated since that can be difficult with AGP cards.

To answer your question: yes the motherboard and/or CPU can go suddenly bad for no apparent reason. Likely less apparent reasons include: heat, power surges, short circuit caused by an insect, or any other random act that can screw with the electronics.

I agree with suggestions so far. If you don't get any joy from checking out the RAM and video card, I would strip down to basics (mobo, CPU, power, keyboard, video, 1 stick of RAM) and try it. If if works, add back one component at a time to see what the prime suspect is.

Edit:

You posted while I was typing my post so I didn't see your comment about how it couldn't be a connection. Truth is, electronic components heat up and cool down a lot and this can lead to connections becoming loose over time. Add in vibration from fans, hard drives and the world at large and you have the likelihood of connections getting iffy over time.

[amateur]

1)nope there are no beeps.

2)I have also replaced the battery.

3)I have tried removing and reseating the memory modules.

[Budfred]

You keep posting while I am typing!

Please tell us everything you have done for problem solving so that we don't keep suggesting that you do things you have already done. Keep in mind that the more info you give us, the more likely we can help with your problem....

[amateur]

Hi Budfred,

yes it is an agp card, and it is seated well into the agp slot, i've checked.

I would strip down to basics (mobo, CPU, power, keyboard, video, 1 stick of RAM) and try it. If if works, add back one component at a time to see what the prime suspect is.

been there, done that.

Its really weird my system can mulfunction like this :(
It hasnt got a single problem since the day i built it

[amateur]

I hope its not one of these :(

yes the motherboard and/or CPU can go suddenly bad for no apparent reason. Likely less apparent reasons include: heat, power surges, short circuit caused by an insect, or any other random act that can screw with the electronics.

[amateur]

hey i kinda remember.... I have not tested the cpu..