Bit of a weird one this...

Went to load up the computer today and the bugger refuses to boot up. Power is running through it, the CPU fan and other fans start, the GFX card one starts (but turns off after about 30secs - presumably because its not being used) but nothing.

Theres no beeps, just the gentle sound of fans...

The no beep thing is whats troubling me because usually I can isolate the problem from there. I've removed pretty much everything and plugged it in again but still - no luck

Any ideas anyone?

Hi shabbacandyman, welcome to SAF

If you can not access the BIOS, you may try to unplug all again and restart with the essentials,

- Morherboard and CPU (of course),
- Master Hard Disk,
- Video card (or onboard video if there are some),
- One stick of RAM,
- Keyboard,
and nothing else.

If it does not work, try resetting the BIOS using the proper jumper to clear CMOS or remove the battery and wait for 20 minuts (computer must be unplugged from the wall outlet).

Post back with results.

Chris

Aside from the fans working, are (were) any IDE devices "touched" during the POST? (ie; any drive lights flash.) If not, I'd suspect the power supply, or the motherboard.

If you have an applicable power supply (extra) try swapping that out. Alternatively, power supply testers are fairly cheap ($15.00 US). While not elaborate, they will do a sufficient job of indicating if the PS output is within parameters. Once it's been established that the PS is OK, and all power cables are secure, and there is still no "reaction" (no POST, no beeps etc), then it's a good chance that the motherboard has developed problems.

Re; the above by Ironbender, as stated, try one IDE device at a time. One failed IDE device can prevent a boot.

Well I removed everything piece by piece, and regardless of whats plugged in (be it RAM and CPU, RAM CPU and keyboard, CPU by itself, etc) its the same thing. Just the sound of fans.

I've tried another PSU unit that I had and its still the same.

The DVD drive does not light up at all at any point. Also, regarding the IDE thing, should I still be able to get into the BIOS whether the IDES are plugged in or not?

If it is the motherboard (or could it be the CPU?), I'm a bit perplexed why its suddenly just cut out like this. Seems very odd

"The DVD drive does not light up at all at any point."
Is this when it's the only IDE device connected?

"Also, regarding the IDE thing, should I still be able to get into the BIOS whether the IDES are plugged in or not?"
Yes.

It's starting to look like it's the motherboard. You'd still get something if the CPU was bad. No video output, no drives being touched.......

Both - when the DVD is the only IDE drive its not lighting up. When the hard drive is plugged in as well its still not lighting up.

Could it possibly be both the CPU and motherboard (worst case scenario) - or should i just take the plunge and get a new motherboard and hope for the best?

Its really bugging me how this has just happened as well