Computer wont start

[Pete/London]

I was hoping for some ideas on where to look at a problem with my sons computer.
When we switch on the fans start but that`s it, no beeps, just the fans running.

I am used to problem solving electrics on heating and plumbing systems and boiler circuitry so know my way around a multimeter, just not sure where to look.

We built our computers about 4 years ago.

Help

[joebloggs]

try re-seating the video card, memory and if still nothing see if its possible to re-seat the processor (might be better just to give it a bit of a push, than take it off the systemboard)

if not swap the memory around if you have 2 sticks, disconnect the hard disk, dvd rom and remove all the other cards in the expansion slot leaving just the video card, try and power it on now ..

the mother board should only need a processor, ram and a video card to power on..

[grahamw48]

Aye, might just be a bit of muck in there.

The other week I fixed my wireless steering wheel for the xbox just by taking the thing apart, fiddling around with all the connections inside and then putting it back together again.

[Pete/London]

try re-seating the video card, memory and if still nothing see if its possible to re-seat the processor (might be better just to give it a bit of a push, than take it off the systemboard)

if not swap the memory around if you have 2 sticks, disconnect the hard disk, dvd rom and remove all the other cards in the expansion slot leaving just the video card, try and power it on now ..

the mother board should only need a processor, ram and a video card to power on..

Tried all that Joe, except reseating the processor, will give that a go next, I think that will be under a heatsinc, even tried the usual bang on the sides.

My son said it had been playing up for a while but a quick restart normally started it off.
Are there any tests I can do to check the processor and motherboard?

[Pete/London]

Aye, might just be a bit of muck in there.

The other week I fixed my wireless steering wheel for the xbox just by taking the thing apart, fiddling around with all the connections inside and then putting it back together again.

That`s the way I work Graham, it either makes or breaks

[lordna]

Have you tried the fuse in the plug? Any lights on the computer?
Try booting from a CD with Windows on it or maybe another op system.
...Do you get anything on the screen at all?

[Pete/London]

Basics are there Lordna, green power light on Motherboard and as I said the fans run

[les_taxi]

Motherboard knackered I'm guessing
Try try removing cmos battery and putting it back in but no beeps usually means bust motherboard.

[andy222]

Yep sounds like it to me too Les. Motherboard up the creek.

[grahamw48]

If the hard-drive is intact...not a total disaster.

I have 3 hard-drives plus an external on this old heap that I cobbled together 8 years ago.

I bought my boy the flashy new laptop that I'm not allowed to use.

[Pete/London]

Found the Problem, put one stick of crucial 1gb from my computer and it fired up.

My son has a memory readout on his one that was showing 2046 of ram before it went dead so it would seem to be pretty unusual for both sticks to go at once.

Crucial used to have a life time guarantee so maybe we can get some replacements, otherwise its down to good old Dad

Thanks all for your help

[grahamw48]

Glad you're up and running..and stress over.

[les_taxi]

Good news better than replacing motherboard I had 2 go in 2 years

[Pete/London]

Good news better than replacing motherboard I had to go in 2 years

When we built the computers we used good components, Asus motherboard etc, and the only part that have given problems has been the ram. crucial replaced 2gb free of charge 2 years ago and when I rang customer service today
they again agreed to replace free of charge. Good support, although I was talking to someone in Egypt.

All the components we used came with at least 3 year warranties, and when I think back to buying Dell computers in the past they were charging fortunes for
extended warranties.