Computer won't start-up

[+vlsi0n Subscriber¹]

So earlier today in the afternoon I turned off the monitor of my computer like I usually would but when I came back and tried to use the computer tonight the computer didn't seem to be "detected". Turning the monitor on and off displays a message that it cannot find a source, I checked the cables and they are all connected. I also have an internet phone line that runs through the computer and in order for it to function the computer needs to be on, but even when the computer light is on (with a solid activity light) the phone doesn't work.

What this all suggests to me is that a possible hardware failure occurred, but I have no idea exactly why it'll turn on but not even attempt to load anything.

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

[C++]

Well is the computer actually doing anything? Do you hear fans cooling, hard drives crunching? It might be time to open it up and see what's up. Make sure it's all still wired up internally, re-seat your RAM, your cards... Your CPU, if you're comfortable with that...

[+vlsi0n Subscriber¹]

Yeah, i don't hear anything running. It's really quiet and appears to be doing nothing.

I'm going to have to open it tomorrow and try the rest of your suggestions.

[Barney T. Administrators]

Sounds like your power supply has died. I suggest that you should check into that first and replace if needed. Some power supplies reset them selves. Also check to make sure that the power switch on the back of the computer wasn't accidentally turned off. If that doesn't work, then you can start isolating other components. Thermaltake makes some great power supplies!

[+allan MVC]

Agreed - the computer is not getting power. First thing to check is that the AC cord wasn't somehow jarred loose - could be as simple as that.

[+vlsi0n Subscriber¹]

I think that I wasn't clear earlier- the computer turns on but doesn't do anything. I can't open any of the disc drives etc, but today I was fooling around with it again and noticed that the fans are running. While it is technically "on" something is wrong, the monitor doesn't detect that the computer is on, and the internet phone doesn't either.

[Barney T. Administrators]

I think that I wasn't clear earlier- the computer turns on but doesn't do anything. I can't open any of the disc drives etc, but today I was fooling around with it again and noticed that the fans are running. While it is technically "on" something is wrong, the monitor doesn't detect that the computer is on, and the internet phone doesn't either.

I'd still vote for the PSU. If it is not getting enough juice to your motherboard or peripheral hardware, your fans or selected parts might work, but nothing else. Since your power supply also connects directly to your disk drives, and they do not open, they aren't getting power. So I stand with this option to look at first. (Y)

[roadgeek9]

I'd still vote for the PSU. If it is not getting enough juice to your motherboard or peripheral hardware, your fans or selected parts might work, but nothing else. Since your power supply also connects directly to your disk drives, and they do not open, they aren't getting power. So I stand with this option to look at first. (Y)

I agree with Barney on this one. (Y)

[+vlsi0n Subscriber¹]

Alright thanks guys, I just ordered a power supply from eBay - it should be here about mid-week.

So I'll update here with any results.

[+vlsi0n Subscriber¹]

Okay so the power supply came. I ordered the exact same one that the computer came with so I know that it's not because of an aged power supply or insufficient power.

The humming noise that the computer was making is now gone and now it runs quietly but that's all it does. Windows doesn't load up (to my knowledge) because the monitor doesn't recognize that the computer is turned on still.

[VPuccetti]

vIsi0n,

Did you have any huge power spikes around that time? If you KNOW your computer is actually booting up, and you still get no video then it could be a monitor or video card issue.

If you take out all your RAM and you get no POST beeps, then that could be a very bad sign. Ive had 3 computers where the CPU fried/went bad, and the computer would turn on and all the fans would go... but nothing on the screen. This was happening because the pins were still making a connection, allowing the computer to power, but then couldn't go any further.