My Computer won't start
by Wolfdave
My Computer Won’t Start.
If your Computer won’t start, then you obviously have a problem. And all your system tools and utilities are not going to help if you can’t even load your Operating System. First thing to do is Look and Listen.
Look for signs of life. Is the power LED on your computer case illuminated? If not, turn off the power at the socket, then pull out the main power lead from the power socket to your computer’s Power Supply Unit and firmly push it back in. Whilst you are in that area, some PSU’s have their own power switch; make sure this has not been accidentally knocked to the off position. Turn the wall socket back on and press the power button on your computer. If the LED light is still not on, then most likely, your Power Supply Unit has failed and will need replacing.
If your Computer LED light is illuminated, listen for sounds. Can you hear hard drive activity and/or fans working? Listen also for beeps, if you here a single beep, then everything is ok with your computer and it’s most likely that your Monitor has failed. If your Monitor’s power light is not illuminated,push the Monitor's power button, check that the power cable and the cable to your PC are secure. If the light is on then try another Monitor if you have one or can borrow one.
If both Computer and Monitor power lights are illuminated and you hear more than one beep, then this indicates an internal problem. For instance: One long beep with three short beeps, indicates you have a video problem, most likely your Video card. Long continuous beeps of eight or more, means you have a memory issue. If you’re computer has a second video port, try your monitor cable in this, or if you or a friend have a spare card, and it’s the correct voltage, fit this one and see if you now get video. Even if you do not have the correct drivers for this spare video card, it will still display on your monitor.
If it’s a memory issue, again try a spare one if you can, if not remove your memory modules, clean the contacts with an old toothbrush including the main board sockets, then replace.
One final point, the CPU and Heat sink have got to be in firm contact with each other, otherwise nothing will work. It is so easy to accidentally knock your tower which could dislodge memory modules and heat sink/CPU.