Computer won't "start"

Amp34 · 22 Aug 2010 at 20:15

Having trouble with my sisters (and now my parents) computer. It was working fine until I touched it (uninstalled Avast AV and restarted...) When it rebooted nothing appeared on the screen. Fans wound up and HDD started but no BIOS or anything appearing on the screen, no windows startup noise or any lights on keyboard or mouse.

List of other things I tried:

Changing monitor and lead (as well as using VGA and DVI cables)
Swapped PSU
Swapped RAM (more on this later)

The MB has integrated GFX but from later experiences I now don't think it is a graphics problem...

After swapping the RAM and trying the RAM from a working computer that computer (with it's original RAM) doesn't work either... Has the same issues as the original one. That leads me to believe it is a RAM issue or something related to it.

My hypothesis is that either the PSU and MB or just the MB in the original computer was damaged, taking the RAM with it and causing the issue, me replacing the ram with working RAM to test it has also made that RAM pop so when placed back into the working PC that now doesn't work. Does that sound likely? Is damaged RAM going to stop a PC from loading even the BIOS?

Ryan-3 · 22 Aug 2010 at 20:56

Most likely the MB, as there is nothing on the screen.

egnshane · 22 Aug 2010 at 21:04

RAM can stop the PC from booting into the bios yes

Amp34 · 22 Aug 2010 at 21:14

Now the thing that worries me is that if it all starts from the PSU I stick in a new Mobo and RAM and it goes pop again. That likely to happen?

Amp34 · 24 Aug 2010 at 18:11

Right...

The second computer (the one that worked until I swapped the RAM)...

I replaced the RAM with some new RAM bought today, still does exactly the same thing, starts up, no sound from speakers or video display but everything spins up that should spin up and the DVD drives open and shut. I am completely at an end as to what to do now. My theory was that the RAM was damaged when placed into the first computer, but I can't see damaged RAM destroying a mobo?

I really have no idea what the hell is going on, how two computers can have the same strange issue, with the only thing connecting them is swapping RAM, that even when replaced doesn't work!

I'm starting to think the only other thing I can try is replacing the mobo and RAM on both computers and not using the old RAM or just bought RAM just in case that breaks them...

Amp34 · 26 Aug 2010 at 16:56

Bumping this up again as I just placed a new set of RAM in the second computer and it still won't start. I just can't think of any logical reason as to why this can occur, two computers doing exactly the same thing, once a piece of RAM from one was tested in the other. Obviously it's not bad RAM, so what can it be?

Can RAM destroy a MOBO or even (completely illogical but running out of ideas) some kind of hardware "virus" pass between the two?

Think both are going to have to go to a shop and see if they can fix them as short of throwing all the components away and building two new computers I have no ideas left.

Ravenger · 26 Aug 2010 at 17:03

Power spike perhaps? Are they on a surge protector?

Hagar · 26 Aug 2010 at 17:09

Connect a speaker across the pins. listen for beeps.

Disconnect everything except ram and cpu and power. Try to boot.

Try one stick of ram in every slot in turn.

monster_munch · 26 Aug 2010 at 17:13

I had exactly the same problem.

I tried a surge protector and I also tried giving it a few days to settle. sounds stupid but sometimes it kicks back into life.

such a odd problem, i can feel ur pain

Amp34 · 26 Aug 2010 at 17:29

Ravenger said:
Power spike perhaps? Are they on a surge protector?

The second computer is surge protected and it only occured a day after, when swapping the RAM to test the old one.

Connect a speaker across the pins. listen for beeps.

Disconnect everything except ram and cpu and power. Try to boot.

Try one stick of ram in every slot in turn.

Unfortunately we don't have one (threw one away just the other week) and haven't been able to get one in the high street at least, they don't appear to be sold any more.

I tried disconnecting everything but RAM, CPU and MB on the first computer but not the second. I'll try that with the new RAM on the second one though.

I had exactly the same problem.

I tried a surge protector and I also tried giving it a few days to settle. sounds stupid but sometimes it kicks back into life.

such a odd problem, i can feel ur pain

It's been a few days so far and still nothing on either unfortunately.

maddy · 26 Aug 2010 at 18:16

try, unplugging power lead and take cmos battery out for 5 minutes then replace batt and power lead and try to boot it up. with the new memory installed