Cleaned computer...now it won't boot

[Atvar]

So I finally decided to install my new dvd rw drive tonight. My case was a mess with dust and whatnot so I figured this would be a good chance to clean it. Got the old compressed air and cleaned out all the intakes and fan vents and hsfans and whatnot. Well, long story short, it now won't boot. I thought maybe it was the new drive so I took that out. Still nothing. I turn it on, drives spin up, mouse comes on...nothing else after that. No video, no boot. Sigh. I guess it wanted to be dirty Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks

 

[Paperlantern]

symptoms... drives, id assume fans as well? maybe PSU popped, try another known good

 

[Atvar]

its not the psu...it is getting power, drive, fans, lights on mobo all come on. I have no idea what is going on

 

[AKA]

A bad power supply can still provide power, so it could still be power supply.


However first thing to do is reseat everything. And disconnect all other devices, only want memory, cpu, powersupply & video connected. This includes all peripherals connected externally too, such as printers, scanners etc.


If it still will not POST then you have it narrowed down to those items, mainboard, power supply, cpu, memory & video.


Next look for something that might of been loose in the case that got wedged when you moved computer around to clean it out.. maybe something causing a short. Might pick it up and tilt it around, see if something slides inside of case.

And first part you want to swap out is the video card. Then memory, cpu then power supply.

 

[Paperlantern]

yes it most definitly CAN be power supply =) i do this for a living and have seen it before, and the psu is easiest to check, just unplug your current one, and plug in the different one right outside of case, no need to install it in the case

 

[lenjack]

Check to see if the cpu hs fan is plugged into the correct header. In many boards, you can't boot if this is not correct.

 

[Atvar]

Ok, I think something was screwy with the video card. Took it out, reseated it, and the computer works fine again. Weird. Thanks