Help troubleshooting (computer won't post)

[GreenGrinch]

Hi,

My friend's computer is drawing blank (not even BIOS page), but the power supply is working just fine. What could be the problem?
Here's my initial thought, what do you guys think?
- Motherboard should be out of the question, since I can open/close the cd-tray.
- There's 2 hard drive. One or both could be bad, but even if both HD is bad, I would still be able to see the BIOS page right?
- Memory. I really doubt it's the memory.
- CPU. I'm thinking this is the problem. Before, my friend said that the CPU fan is not loud, but now the CPU fan is crazily loud!! So I'm thinking maybe the CPU is fried or something.
- Any other?

I don't have extra component (CPU, memory, etc) to test it since the computer is pretty old. What do you guys think? Thx!

GGrinch

 

[GreenGrinch]

anybody?

 

[sak]

I think its either the CPU gone bad or that u dont have the video card in all the way into the AGP slot...

in my opinion i would just disassemble the system and put it back together again...checking to see that all the cards are in their slots nicely.

 

[QTPie]

Is there any beeping sound?
Remove all cards, hard drives, floppy, CD rom, etc. just leave a video card and one stick of RAM and then boot it.

Make sure you connect "power connector" from the case to the MB properly.
If it still doesnt work, change video card, ram, you might change the slot of video card and ram

 

[dunkster]

Most home-built systems that won't boot are due to simple problems.

Improperly seating memory is very common. The force required to seat memory sticks in my Abit board was scary. Take the board out of the case to re-seat memory to prevent damage to board. You want to hear it pop in.

Board shorts are very common. The fact that you can eject your cd-rom means nothing other than you have 12V. Isolate the mobo from the mounting studs by either powering up outside the case or by inserting a sheet of cardboard between bottom of board and mounting studs.

Check the cpu for proper mounting. Check heatsink/fan for proper mounting. What does 'crazily loud' mean? Is the fan properly mounted on the heatsink?

Power up with only cpu, memory and video card installed, booting from floppy. Add other devices only after resolving problems with power-up.

Hope this helps!