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PC won't boot! Help!

kbrad

Junior Member
I just took apart a Dell desktop computer and transplanted it into a new case so I could add a new CD burner (the old case didn't have enough space). But now that its in the new case it won't boot! When the power goes on, the hard drive spins up, CPU fan spins up, and a little light goes on the motherboard comes on but thats it. Nothing shows up on the screen. I unhooked the hard drive and it still won't even get to the bios. The monitor won't even come out of sleep mode. The video is onboard the motherboard, but I tried a spare PCI one and it did the same thing. This leaves me with a problem in the memory, motherboard, or cpu. Right? This computer was up and going perfect just 30 minutes earlier and I hooked everything up right. There is no clear CMOS jumper on the board. There is actually only two settings for the jumper, normal and maintenance (should auto boot to bios), and neither work. The only thing I can think of right now is that when I first put it in the new case I used a new power supply and NOTHING turned on, I found this odd so took out the old Dell one and put that in and now its doing this. Could that other power supply have fried something? Any insights or tips or anything is GREATLY appreciated!

Kevin
 
Something like that is usually video card, ram, cpu or mobo related. I doubt the other ps did anything though since nothing turned on.

Since you've tried a different video card I'd try reseating the ram and then a different slot. Then different ram is still no go. If it's a slot cpu then reseat the cpu. Hopefully one of these ideas will help or at least narrow it down. 😉
 
Oh yeah, double check all your connections too. To the hard drive(interface cable), etc.
 
Have you tried running with everything out of the case? You would be amazed at how many people install mobos without lining out all of the mounting screws. You might find one mounting piece impacting the mobo ( not a good thing). If it works outside the case, then you definitly have something shorted out. If not, you might be a victin of ESD. Good luck
 
Yea, definitely try it outside of the case with nothing but the barest essentials needed to boot with, i.e. video card, memory hard drive and processor. If it boots outside the case then it is shorting itself out and you need to either remove standoffs or reposition it somehow.

Guess I should have read the post above mine. OOPS!!
 
I've taken everything out of the case and the motherboard, ram, cpu, and onboard video are the only thing going. The mainboard seems to be getting power (little yelow light comes on, and the fan on the cpu starts) however there are 4 diagonostic lights on the back that do not come on. According to dell's website (http://docs.us.dell.com/docs/systems/dmum/codemess.htm) this is a powerup default and the mainboard isn't getting power. I've reseated the ram and cpu and nothing. Is the mainboard fried? I don't see how if the cpu fan comes on and everything. The monitor even comes out of no signal mode but never shows anything when its turned on. Anymore ideas?

Kevin
 
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