big problem - computer won't POST/boot

[Pyramix]

My friend is having a problem with his computer where, after installing Maple and having some problems with the computer overnight, the computer does absolutely nothing. You turn the power on, you hear the fans turn on, but the monitor gets no video signal. My friend did not open the computer and do anything, so it's not some hardware configuration problem or anything. Before this, the comp was running just fine. We disconnected all unnecessary peripherals, including the case fans, to see if we could get the system to atleast bring up the boot screen. Nothing. We changed the video card. Again nothing.

We are going to try and switch the processor as well. He had a HSF unit but no thermal paste between the HSF unit and the processor (the thermal compound on the bottom of the HS had also been scraped and removed). We are thinking that maybe the processor got fried somehow (although the last time he had checked the temperature, it was well within the limits - 45 degrees C).

Here are his system's specs:
ECS K7S5A (Sis735) - using onboard sound and ethernet
Athlon TBird 900 Mhz.


If it's not the processor, what else could it be? What would cause something like this to happen? Any help will be appreciated.

 

[killmeplease]

Just because the fans turn on, I wouldn't discount the chances of a bad P/S. Can you get a voltage reading?

 

[Jgtdragon]

It could be a bad motherboard.

 

[HappyPuppy]

Unplug the ATX cable from the motherboard and clear the CMOS. You gotta start somewhere.

 

[MoboN00B]

my guess is power supply. try getting a strong power supply. I got an ECS board from newegg that i had to RMA with the same problem although it never booted from the beginning.

 

[MicroEngineer]

Pratik,
Did you smell anything to suspect the CPU burnt up? I personally don't think that's the prob, and I know that Sparkle 300w ps is pretty good. My guess is it may be mobo related. If you remove the CPU and reapply Arctic Silver and the heatsink and still no go, try reseating the RAM, vidcard, and clearing the CMOS. If still no good, tell James that you guys can try his CPU in my comp tomorrow if you want.

 

[Walay]

before you try to torn out everything from ur computer...
pull out all the memories and put 'One' stick of memory that you know works for sure~~

then if it still dosent post then try cpu, then powersupply.....then u 'll know

 

[Pyramix]

killmeplease, how do i get a voltage reading? i have heard of this board having several PSU problems, so i would like to check that first if possible.

jgtdragon, you could be right, but that is highly unlikely and i cannot jump to that conclusion based on what i have seen so far.

happypuppy, i'll try clearing the CMOS and see if that makes a difference.

mobonoob, it seems what you are saying is that your mobo was bad, and that it was not a bad PSU that was causing that problem. is that right?

Jeremiah, we are going to try switching the processors tonight if we get the time (with my processor). Tomorrow, otherwise. James removed his CPU and there are no signs of the CPU burning. We might stop by for some Arctic Silver tonight

Walay, there is only one stick of PC2100 DDR memory in the comp. Jeremiah, you have DDR RAM, right? Do you think we could borrow a stick of memory?

 

[MoboN00B]

im saying that the board i got was just plain bad. i say you probably need to try another power supply because i've heard this board's major problems originate from the PSU.

 

[Pyramix]

Problem Solved. Bad memory.

Thanks fellas.