problem with computer - wont boot
 

Dunno
I had a computer just sitting around and I thought "Why not use it as a file server for all my media?"
I plugged it in and it wont boot up. No POST, nothing
Took out the cpu and fan, cleaned them off reapplied the paste. Nothing
swapped out video cards... nothing
I hear the computer "starting" but no beeps.

Any ideas?

IDE cables upside down? Try unplugging all IDE cables (HDD's and CDroms) and try again.

nop still nothing

Is this a Mac or a Windows machine? In either case, what kind?

(Try reseating the RAM card(s), btw.)

Do Mac's even do a POST?

The only other things I can think of are a faulty power supply, try unplugging everything except the motherboard, or if you are feeling up for it, get out your multimeter and measure the power on the ATX connector.

A faulty video card (or in your case 2 of them) could be the cause, try booting without the video card and see if it gives a POST error beep.

Other than that it just sounds like something important is broken and you'll have to work it out component by component.

tried wih a new PSU and also no video card, still nothing
I think the motherboard is dead.

Does it turn off, or does it just hang with the power on? If it hangs, at what point? Anything on-screen? Can you get into the BIOS?

No bios access, I can power on and thats about it. If I hold the power button I can turn it off. Nothing on screen when I had the harddrive plugged in, the HDD LED would be on for a few seconds then off.

There's probably a good reason it was just sitting around :D

nah i had it set up and just never used it

First, do a cmos reset - you'll need the MB manual for this. If that doesn't work, check the memory... if more than one dimm, try with each in succession in whatever slot is correct (get the MB manual online). Make sure the memory is compatible with the MB. Incompatible or bad memory will cause the symptoms you're seeing.

already tried all that

After you hear it starting, does anything else happen? Is the fan running? Any cpu activity?

(I'm wondering if it could be running but the video is dead)

not really.
no sounds or anything

It's dead, Jim.

You could try a new power supply if you think it's worth it or if you happen to have a known working one sitting around. Well, never mind. You already said you tried a new PSU.

It's dead, Jim.

-David