Desktop screen and keybpard not starting up

KG

I have been using my brother's desktop (with up-to-date anti viris etc) for a few months now without any problems. But in the last few days it has started playing up - I switch it on at the main unit and the fan starts up but the screen doesn't come on, neither do the lights on the keyboard after the initial light-up. (The PC also normally beeps when it comes on but it's not doing that either).

I have tried checking the external connections and switching the screen on and off but I just get the 'no signal' message on the screen and there are none of the kinda 'electrical impulse' sounds coming from the unit (the ones which usually happen when the PC is starting up or 'thinking').

The only way I can get the PC to work is to keep switching the unit on and off until the screen eventually kicks into life (up to about 20 times last go). The PC then beeps and switches on normally with the screen and keyboard working properly.

I was wondering if it might be a loose connection but I haven't moved the PC since I put it in place. The only other thing I wondered might be affecting it was the fact that it sits next to a single glazed window - I wondered if the recent cold might have had an effect (though it's not been as cold up here as it has down south - probably 2degrees min)

But really I am grasping at straws. Does anyone have a clue how I can figure out what's up and fix the problem so that I don't have to keep the PC on all the time?

Thanks

KG

fwor

If it's made by one of the big manufacturers, it would be worth going to their support website to see if there are any diagnostic utilities.

The fact that it won't POST could be one of a few things, but if I had to guess, I'd suggest that the power supply may be on it's way out. All of the output voltages have to be up and within spec for the PC to POST, and if one or more is marginal it won't.

Intermittent memory problems can also stop a PC from booting - may be worth running Memtest for a few hours.

KG

Thanks for the info. When you say the power supply is that the supply within the unit or can it be fixed by replacing the power lead?

If it's in the unit is it a fairly easy thing to replace?

KG

fwor wrote: »

Intermittent memory problems can also stop a PC from booting - may be worth running Memtest for a few hours.

Ok - drawing a blank with this one. Have downloaded and unzipped memtest86 from download.com but am getting the following message and don't know what to do:

"This installation creates a bootable floppy disk.
Memtest is a standalone memory test and must be booted from a floppy disk. Memtest cannot be executed under DOS or Windows.
######
Enter target diskette drive:"

I don't have a floppy disk drive on this computer. Tried Googling but the answers say something about needing an ISO image if I want to create a bootable CD.

Have tried sticking in a CD and putting "E:\" under "Enter target diskette drive" but it is doing nothing...

Can anyone advise me how to downlaod and run memtest from a CD?? Do I need a specific kind of CD too?

Thanks

KG (Technically challenged)