dead computer

dan2002

hi all looking help,my computer froze this morning so I turned it of a the plug (i know you shouldnt do it but there was no other way)but when I turned it back on it will not start up ,only thing going is the fan inside,I have tryed another hard drive but all I am getting is a blank screen as if the hard drive is not there,I tryed another grapic card and again nothing any one help please ,its a compaq running xp

Electron_2

Oh dear, if you don't even get the BIOS system checking appearing on the screen, then it sounds to me like the motherboard (which includes the hard drive controller on it) has died.

evilgoose

Is there a light on the monitor? if so, what colour is it?

dan2002

yes light is on moniter and its orange

Shipton1

If the monitor is orange then surely this just means the monitor is on standby?

It sounds like your machine's mother board is ruined you might just need to get a new mother board for your p.c. Take it your local pc shop ask them what they thing you should do, and then buy it yourself because they will charge you an arm and a leg and take it to an independant shop who will charge you half the price.

Or speak to any friends because most days, you know someone whos had their fingers in a pc before!

totalsolutions

HOLD on there all this info you guys are giving is rubbish, dan 2002, dont do anything just yet.
If the monitor led is orange then it means it is not getting a signal <FULL STOP> It could be the pc/video card, it can also be the monitor itself or monitor cable.

Put all the parts back in the pc and recheck all power cables.

I take from what you have said dan2002 you have a desktop?
The hard drive had not failed and is not even requirement to view any message onscreen.

aqueoushumour01

this happened to an old computer of mine - the monitor connection was damaged and the monitor wouldn't turn on but the computer was running. Try pressing it in a bit harder and then tightening the screws - or if not get a new connection. I hope it's not your motherboard.

dan2002

hi all yes the monitor seems to be in standby ,but there is no lights on the key board, or mouse ,hard drive doesnt seem to be getting any power

evilgoose

As stated above, the orange light on the monitor indicates that it is in standby mode. This could be becuase of one of many reasons.

Computers should 'beep' (though with cut backs less have the small internal speaker setup). For a successful POST, depending on the board, but 98% of the time its a single 'beep'.

If you arent getting a BEEP then its unlikely to be the monitor at fault. More likely to be a component.

A PC can still post without a HDD attached.

Switch off the computer and leave it plugged it, remove the case then earth yourself on the case and then unplug from the mains.

Unplug any usb devcies and keyboard/mouse that are plugged in.
Remove the graphics card (from reading your post im assuming its not onboard graphics) and memory and any other cards you've got installed in there. If you've got more than 2 sticks of memory keep them in the pairs they were seated in.

Plug back in and switch on, it should make a series of beeps to tell you its not got memory etc. if it doesnt then it could be a cpu or mainboard problem.

Leave the CPU installed unless you feel confident with the attachment mechanism + if you remove it, you should clean off then reapply the heatsink compound.

unplug from mains again

Reattach your graphics card and the memory making sure they clip in correctly, you cant put them in the wrong way round as there are notches which line up, so make sure they engage correctly. (If you've got more than two sticks, just put the '1st pair' back.)

Now try switching on the computer and see what you get

If nothing or a series of beeps make a note of them (they be either long or short beeps). Then if more than 2 sticks, swap the ones you got installed with the other pair and try again.

If it works then you are ok! if more than 2 sticks memory switch it off and put the reminaing sticks in and try again.

Sorry its so long winded, but its the best way to try and identify where the problem exists.

If nothing happens it could be a CPU or mainboard fault.

dan2002

hi thanks for that info ,took every thing out and there were no beeps so I think I will go down the cpu line ,how do I know what cpu goes in to this motherboard or can I take one out of another computer and try it ,or they all the same fitment

evilgoose

Unfortunately its not that simple, different chips use differnet sockets. Even chips from the same manufactuor (intel, AMD etc) use different sockets.
The socket usually has its 'type' embossed onto it, though its most likely completely covered by the heatsink.
Has the case of the PC got and Intel inside sticker or AMD sticker on it?
Depending on the age you may struggle.

Have a look on the mainboard there should be printed on there somewhere its manufacturor name and model number, you can search for them on their website to tell you the chip it uses or if your pc has a model number on it you could try a search for that and see if it'll tell you your chip.

If neither of those routes work, the chip will have its make/model printed on it. I'll assume it's a more modern chip and thus will have a large stainless heat spreader over the actual chip and will have it printed on there. Though you'll probably have to clean off the heatsink compound to see it. (make sure you give your hand a good clean if come into contact with it as its a little toxic) Alcohol based wipes should shift the stuff off fairly easily.

Becareful not to bend any of the pins.