Computer won't start.

monkentage · 1 Jan 2010 at 09:38

When starting up all I get is a blank screen where the monitor reverts to standby. The fans work and the hard drive makes a small noise then that's it.

Does anyone have any ideas as to what might be wrong?

RJC · 1 Jan 2010 at 09:41

Is this new build?

Please post full spec.

But! one thing to try is try one stick of ram at a time and recheck all connections.

monkentage · 1 Jan 2010 at 09:49

It's 24 months old, q6600 stock, 8800gtx, 4gb ram. I tried each stick of ram and rechecked connections. I also tried booting without the graphics card to see if it made any protest noises but nothing.

There were some vertical green lines before it went and a couple of blue screens in the week before if that means anything?

mathwat · 1 Jan 2010 at 09:55

vertical green lines might be gfx card have you got a spare to try?

ps you could try different pci slot?

mathwat

VortX · 1 Jan 2010 at 11:08

If you have taken the graphics card out and it's not beeping then I would say it's the motherboard (mine has gone recently too - different issue though).

Try taking out all of the memory too, see if it beeps then.

sorn21 · 1 Jan 2010 at 11:14

Try a dry boot, by taking all the components out, and reassembling on your desk.
If it doesn't boot up then - I'd blame motherboard.

monkentage · 1 Jan 2010 at 12:10

VortX said:
If you have taken the graphics card out and it's not beeping then I would say it's the motherboard (mine has gone recently too - different issue though).

Try taking out all of the memory too, see if it beeps then.

Nothing, just fans whirring. I can assume it's the motherboard then?

VortX · 1 Jan 2010 at 12:25

monkentage said:
Nothing, just fans whirring. I can assume it's the motherboard then?

Looks like it, only other thing you can do is take out the CPU as well, although I'm not sure if the thing will turn on at all then...? I can't remember it's been so long since I took my computer apart, just give it a go, if it turns on with no CPU and RAM, but does nothing but the fan whiring and no BIOS beeps then It has to be the motherboard. Does your motherboard have a CMOS reset switch? Try resetting the BIOS, if you don't have a physical switch, then read the user manual to see how to reset the BIOS using the jumper. If it does the same thing after a full BIOS reset then I'm afraid it's dead

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monkentage · 1 Jan 2010 at 12:48

That's that then. Yay. I hate building PCs.

Thanks for the help.

VortX · 1 Jan 2010 at 20:15

monkentage said:
That's that then. Yay. I hate building PCs.

Thanks for the help.

No problem, I know PCs can be a pain. I too have a computer that is on it's last legs, the motherboard which is capable of holding a max of 24GB of RAM, currently only works with 1GB, any more and it refuses to boot. Not to mention the HDDs which are rattling and humming like there is no tomorrow. The BIOS which randomly resets the time and sometimes fails to detect my hard drives. I could go on but it would only make you hate computers even more

just take care in knowing you aren't alone

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Can't wait until the end of this month to replace it!