Dead PC. Where to start?
 

Ok, I'm no PC troubleshooting newb, but I'm not sure where to start on this one. I have a fairly new PC built from an ASUS barebones package. It has a AMD Semperon chip and 1GB of RAM.

Since last week, it refuses to post. I turn the power on, the fans come up, the DVD burner light comes on, and the hard drive access light comes on. But I never get the BIOS screen and noting else happens.

I'm thinking that it must be the BIOS itself or possibly the CPU.

Can anyone point me in the right direction?

powersupply may not be sufficient any more

Could also be a bad video card. Try stripping it to the bare minimum - mobo/chip and vidcard ONLY. See if it posts.

Is the PC speaker still connected? Does it make any noise?

I agree with the 2 earlier posts, strip it down (no harddisk or DVD drive attached) and see how far it goes.

If that fails it's time to swap the remaining components, starting with the powersupply. (try a 500w model).

Ya.. see if it posts with CPU, 1 stick of RAM, and video card only.. if not, try your other stick of RAM (if you have 2). If none of that works, then .. come back.

I agree with the minimum boot config.
Also, just because I hav trouble shooted alot of problems for friends in the past, even if you think everything is ok check EVERYTHING ie: all power cords (monitor) make sure monitor works, stuff like that. Also, you are usibg an Asus mobo, does it have the audible asus post reporter? does it get that far? if minimum build/post dosent work look into the psu. most computer stores can check that for you.
Keep us 'posted' !

Thanks for all the replies.

Here is the situation. I changed out the PSU to a brand new Rosewill 450W. I pulled the video card (motherboard has on board video, so I'm using that). Disconnected the power from the DVD and HD. Still nothing.

I pulled one stick of RAM, no change. Alternated with the second stick, no change. I did get a response from the motherboard when I took both out. Beeep beep-beep. I assume that is the motherboards "no memory present alarm", but at least it tells me it's not completely fried.

There is a green light on the motherboard between the AGP slot and the first PCI slot, that is lit up when the PSU turns on.

Any ideas from here? Thanks to all of you for your help so far.

What model is your mother board?

Only thing I can think of right now, is to remove the CMOS battery.

On the motherboard there should be a flat battery somewhere (like in a digital watch but larger). Remove it, wait around 10 secs, and place it back. (or replace it altogether if you can find a spare).

This will reset the CMOS (the configurable part of the BIOS) and there is a slim chance that it causes the problem.
(note the word: slim. I can't think of other possibilities atm)

Do you have onboard video? I'm still leaning towards a fried video card.

I has on board video, that is what I am currently using.
The white sticker on the motherboard says "K8S-MV/V"
I am trying the CMOS battery now.

Thanks guys

Sweet baby Jesus on a pogo stick!

The CMOS reset did the trick. I am reinstalling Windows XP Pro now.

Thanks to you all!

:D Never heard that one before!

Glad it worked out! :thumbsup: