computer does not start. Red HDD light is on. HELP!!!

bbb_uk

Where does the monitor take its power from? Is it the back of the computer or is it connected directly to the mains?

If the monitor is switched on (even with computer off) providing there is power going to it then the monitors light would normally come on and possibly flash (green and orange). Does the monitors light come on at all assuming it gets it power directly from the mains and not via the PC?

wolfman

Firstly, try another monitor, just incase. It is a possibility and something you can easily check before getting your hands more dirty.

In my opinion though it doesn't sound like the monitor. It's definitely not the psu either. It sounds like one of the following, cpu, motherboard, memory, or graphics card.

Normally though, when there is a problem with the cpu, memory, or graphics, the computer will beep. It'll do a certain number and length of beep(s) depending upon what is wrong. Because it's not even doing this I'd be tempted to say it's the motherboard, and if not then maybe the graphics card.

Like you said, the best thing to do is probably strip it all out and rebuild it slowly. Only put the essentials in. If you can, try a cpu and memory you know works from another machine, that way you can find the problem by elimation.

pre-reg

thanks wolfman and bbb-uk. The monitor is powered from the mains. Its beginning to sound more and more like the motherboard as there is no beeping!!

oh will might tell her to ditch the damn thing and get one of the lovely dell offers.

all the best.

pre-reg

bbb_uk wrote:

Does the monitors light come on at all assuming it gets it power directly from the mains and not via the PC?

by the way forgot to say the monitor doesnt even come on, even though its powered from the mains.

lipidicman

Some monitors need a signal to come on. Rebuild, try a different graphics card. Then you can make some better guesses

bbb_uk

pre-reg wrote:

by the way forgot to say the monitor doesnt even come on, even though its powered from the mains.

The monitor light would normally come on even if computer is off. I'm bit confused! Have you (or can you) try another monitor (swap them over or something) as suggested by wolfman?