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

Hmm...Really sounds like a memory issue but you said you've already ruled that out. Mobo seems most likely now.

ill try the memory again. It just might be, but unless I have 3 bad sticks...

One bad stick will bring the computer down. Try putting in only one at a time and see if you can isolate it.

thats what I was doing

This is obvious and you've probably tried it already, but for the record . . . have you reseated all socketed chips and cable connections?

Yup.
Let me try that RAM thing again now

nop still nothing

dumb question..... is the monitor connected, functional and powered up?

things I could think of:
- speaker(s) may not be connected if you do not hear any beeps...
- bad key board?
- bad bios - battery dead and/or corrupted.

others already mentioned

hmm monitor is connected.
Speak is connected,
keyboard works fin on my other PC

I should still see a POST screen, but I dont

other possibilities

- dead video controller (I think you checked for that already)
- dead motherboard. (some power components?) some things might be
powering up, but not everything on the motherboard. Since you've
tested a different PS, its probably the motherboard.

- ** check for shorts between motherboard and the case body. a loose screw,
nut or something metallic between the board and the case.

- make sure the reset or power key is not stuck.

Power switch connectors? It's a long shot, but have you removed the motherboard from the case, and tried operating the system (minimal - processor, ram, video, keyboard) while the board is outside of the case? Go so far as to remove the power connectors and use a screwdriver to close the "power switch" connection.

yea i did that too, nothing

At this point, it's nearly certain that it's either a total motherboard failure, or a processor failure (which can also happen). I'd scrap it.

Yup, I did. I went to the computer shop, and the shop keep tested the motherboard with another CPU. Didn't work, so I bought a new board.

grr
I got the wrong RAM at home.
I have spare DDR dual channel, but this mobo needs DDR2