PC start up problem

Beaumaris

grumpycrab wrote: »

Any beeps? When you say no lights on the keyboard what do you normally see? Can you try a different monitor/TV?

I'm trying to sort out a different monitor, but I think the old one I have has got different connection.

I think when you turn the PC on, the caps lock, number lock etc all light up. I've tried pressing the caps lock and it doesnt light up. No beeps either.

bsod

if it was the monitor, it wouldn't say no signal

use the onboard graphics card if it has one

Cycrow

Beaumaris wrote: »

I'm trying to sort out a different monitor, but I think the old one I have has got different connection.

I think when you turn the PC on, the caps lock, number lock etc all light up. I've tried pressing the caps lock and it doesnt light up. No beeps either.

That sounds like POST is failing. The lack of beeps probably means theres no speaker to make the beeps.

I would suggest checking if there is one, and if not, buying one to test, they are only a few quid

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Internal-Mini-4Pin-PC-Computer-Case-Mainboard-Buzzer-Speaker-Beep-BIOS-Alarm-/291610372682?_trksid=p2141725.m3641.l6368

Beaumaris

Strider590 wrote: »

If it was the PSU the PC wouldn't turn on, the PSU would go into safe mode until disconnected from the mains.

This sounds like GFX card failure, but if it's an onboard GFX card (?), then your effectively looking at a new PC.

What was the PC used for? I mean specifically, what software?

I literally toasted my last GFX card my playing Arma2 Dayz mod, it ran newer stuff with no issue, but that just killed it.

I haven't run anything new on it recently. It's only used for the internet, pics and some old games that have all been on it at least 3 years. When it crashed it had two browsers open, one of them running iPlayer.

Beaumaris

The monitor has speakers so I assume there aren't any in the PC, which would explain lack of beeps?

grumbler

Beaumaris wrote: »

The monitor has speakers so I assume there aren't any in the PC, which would explain lack of beeps?

Were there any beeps when switching the PC on while it was fine?

The 'speaker' that makes beeps is a very small one (like 5p coin in modern PCc), is connected directly to the motheboard and has nothing to do with external (or monitor's) speakers connected to the back or front of the PC.

Fightsback

Strider590 wrote: »

If it was the PSU the PC wouldn't turn on, the PSU would go into safe mode until disconnected from the mains.

Not necessarily, it depends on how the PSU has failed and what component.

"Many times, a power supply will not fail immediately but will instead fail gradually. Before complete supply failure actually occurs, the system may lose power during operation and then power up again only after an extended period. Eventually, you may be able to turn on the power supply (i.e., the fans spin and the power LED lights up), but there will be nothing on the display and no BIOS boot activity. You can treat this situation in the same manner as a dead system problem and troubleshoot it accordingly."

Source:

http://www.techrepublic.com/article/troubleshooting-pc-power-supplies/

Beaumaris

I think it used to beep once on start up.

Opening the case and fiddling with the components is not something I've ever done and I'm not sure I should start. I know you need some kind of anti static thing, and its not technically my computer anyway. I'm being nagged now about taking it to PC world! I don't think they have a very good rep but my local computer shop is run by an incompetent scam artist, so I can't take it there either.

Strider590

You could try resetting the BIOS, there will be a small battery somewhere on the motherboard, disconnect from mains, leave for 10 mins, remove the battery, leave it 10 mins, put it back and see what happens. There is a small risk that the default settings won't work, but this is very unlikely on a normal home PC.