My PC won't start!

[Tony100]

When I turn on my PC, it lights up but the screen is blank and there is no "beep" sound.

I suspected that the HD is the culprit and I tried it on another computer. It cannot boot from that HD but I can access it if booted from another HD.

I tried another HD and put it in the defective computer and its still dead.

I checked the fans in the power supply, still working.

Could it be the motherboard? Hope not!

Thanks!

[Hardcore nerd]

when you have a problem like this, there is so many things that could be the problem. Skip the middle man, and if i were you, just take it in to a shop;)

[FastLearner]

Have you run the diagnostics program on the HDD? You should be able to download it from the drive manufacturer's website. I would start there before taking it into the shop.

[bassman]

Hardcore Nerd,
People come here looking for help to fix their computers, not directions to a shop. The help we offer is tailored to the individuals capabilities. We will work patiently with the most inexperienced person, teaching them valuable lessons along the way.
In the spirit of THIS site, telling someone to “Take it to the shop” is of no help at all.

Tony100, welcome to http://www.pcguide.com/ubb/pcgubb.gif
We could use a bit more info. Has there been other video problems recently? What was done to the computer prior to the happening? Have you tried reseating vid card and memory? Can you give us any more info about this computer (make, model, age,…)?

[Cavalier90]

Do you have a Windows emergency floppy disk? If your computer boots from that, and you get messages on the screen, you are part way to knowing what parts of your computer are working. You should then also be able to examine the hard drive using the basic DOS commands to check if it is OK. Having booted from the floppy type c: then DIR and see what displays. It should show a list of files. If it does you know your file system on the drive is OK. If it still will not boot from the hard drive, I think you may need to reformat it and re-install the OS (how you do this can vary depending on the OS).

[i an not a nerd]

Well Tony100, like Bassman said, welcome. If there is not beep, then that usally means that the POST (Power On Self Test) has not completed. (The POST verifies that all the components are working.) Make sure that all the various components are seated properly. We also, again i echo Bassman, need more info. Like how old the computer is, your computer's specifications, events prior to the failure, your credit card number and expiration date.... (just joking about the credit card, gotta have some fun in life!)

I really hope that your computer situation gets fixed.


And Hardcore, don't try to give advice to people... you need it yourself.

[Paleo Pete]

OK this is no POST situation so no matter what the hardware a couple of standard troubleshooting procedures are in order.

Unplug all IDE and floppy ribbon cables, check and/or replace the CPU thermal compound, reseat RAM and video cards then power it up and see if it's just a bad contact. Replacing the CMOS battery might be a good idea if it's an old system.

Then if none of that works out, let us know and give us some system information.

[Tony100]

Thanks guys for your suggestions. I will take note each of them.

BTW, the computer is about 2 years old..128mb ram pentium iv, 40gig seagate HD, 64mb video card, repeatedly abused by 2 and 6 year old barbaric kids.

[kirbykirbykirby]

people might think me stupid by sayin this but is the monitor pluged in(both in the Vga port and outlet) and turned on?
Many people who said thier computer didnt turn on meant that the monitor wasnt showing anything and it was only the monitor cable not plugged into the comp or a faulty one.

[R34sky]

Hey i have the same problem! The monitor is blank and there is no beeping. I think it is the CPU isn't it?