I got a HUGE problem on my hands with an Asus M2N-E mobo

[The Stigenator]

History:

Thursday:
was given this computer by a coworker due to flash issues. He wanted a re-install.

Friday:
Reinstalled computer after backup.

Saturday/Sunday:
Installed software, had to open up computer to get video card version (Turns out GeForce 7300GT). I used can of compressed air and blew the dust away.
Turned on computer, installed drivers, computer ran fine for the time period.

Problem:
Monday:

Turn on computer.. computer wont turn on. I think it turned on for 2 seconds, (I was on my laptop), noticed the monitor turned on - old CRT makes a noise) and then it went back to search mode.. I guess it didnt turn on.

Anyway hasnt been turning on since today.

Opened computer to look at whats going on. Mobo is getting power. Press power button, CPU fan tries to spin, but doesnt spin (moves a tiny bit). I thought okay maybe PSU is faulty, went to Fry's got a new PSU. Same problem.

Cleared CMOS, no change.
Took out memory, and reseated (seems like an known issue), no change.

Computer case doesnt have a speaker, so i pulled teh speaker from the other computer of mine, no use, no sound.

Mobo is getting power. I am not sure whats causing it to not turn on.

It was working fine when I got it, it was working fine sunday. It did give a BSOD on Sunday when updating the drivers, it BSOD'ed when windows suggested I upgrade teh Nforce network driver, it BSOD'ed right away with an IRQ message. So I went into safemode without networking and disabled it and then rebooted and then installed the drivers from the CD and then shut down. Network was working when I shut it down. I had rebooted teh computer once after i installed drivers.

So what can be the problem. Its obviously not the PSU. I didnt do anything to the computer, what oculd it be?

 

[The Stigenator]

I've ruled out the PSU, and the Memory. PSU was replaced, same deal. Replaced CMOS battery. Removed all memory. and I reseated the video card. So that leaves the mobo and CPU.
the computer doesnt have a speaker, ugh! I need to canabalize the one off my old amd.

Infact I dont notice any device getting power. CPU fan, Case Fans, Hard drive doesnt spin up.

Which means its getting switched on and then faulting.. sounds like a mobo issue to me, not a CPU issue (still could be). The mobo is getting power, but when you hit teh power switch it tries to power and then dies.

ugh! Now how to break it to the guy who's computer i was reinstalling. Ugh!

 

[Denithor]

Three things come to mind to try. In order, from easiest:

1) Make sure the CPU fan is completely clear of dust and the fan itself spins freely.
2) Unplug everything from motherboard not essential to boot. Strip down to one stick RAM, CPU, GPU, PSU and try to boot. Switch RAM stick & socket around and see if that has any impact.
3) Yank motherboard from case and try #2 again on the bench (bare - no chance for short inside case).

 

[The Stigenator]

okay its back up and running..

I pulled off everything.. keeping the CPU only and powered up. Figured out it was the video card. Its powering up without the video card now. I need a PCI-E videocard to test or a PCI video card, of which i have none.

But its up and running now .. the fans are whirring, the hard drive is spinning, no beeps though (no speaker installed).

THe video card has blown capacitors.. 4 capacitors are exposing their innards. I guess that was the problem. Question is how did they blow.