Aces High Bulletin Board

General Forums => Hardware and Software => Topic started by: Kazaa on August 31, 2007, 12:21:16 PM

Title: Having Problems with my PC
Post by: Kazaa on August 31, 2007, 12:21:16 PM

So I go to turn on my PC today and nothing, just a blank black screen.

I open it up and the following are not working:

Hard Disk Drives
CD-Rom
CPU Fan
Lighting.

My PSU and graphics card fans are both the only things that seem to have any life in them, my mobo light is on as well.

Any of you lads know what the problem might be ? any advice would be great.

Title: Having Problems with my PC
Post by: Krusty on August 31, 2007, 12:32:29 PM

First indication might be PSU. If you're savvy enough you can disconnect it from the PC and run a test on it (with a voltmeter) -- but this is beyond my ken.

If that's not the case, then I'd say there's a problem with the motherboard.

No beeps, no warnings, no nothing? Just the PSU running?


Normally I'd say PSU, CPU or mobo. If it's the PSU why would the vid card and the PSU be running? If it's the CPU the mobo would give you error beeps. If it's the mobo (which sends power to the vid card but also has to boot up and access the HDs/CDROMs) then it could be the case you've described here.


Try resetting your BIOS. There's usually a jumper somewhere (check your manual) that allows it.

Also, check the battery on the motherboard. I've heard of some stories where dead mobo batteries screwed with the boot (but, to be honest, not like you've described here)

Title: Having Problems with my PC
Post by: Kazaa on August 31, 2007, 01:16:59 PM

Thanks for the fast reply Krusty, your a star :aok

The answer is no, I'm not getting any POST audio warnings and no visual message, just a black screen.

I could try changing the mobo battery, as BIOS stores the hard drive parameters  on the CMOS for boot up.

Like you said, if it's the PSU why is power getting to my vid card, if it's the CPU why no audio warnings, It could well be the mobo like you said.

Any other help would be great, thanks again Krusty


, Kaz.

Title: Having Problems with my PC
Post by: Krusty on August 31, 2007, 01:38:34 PM

Do you own more than 1 computer?

Take the PSU and put it in another case. It's a bit of work, but far less work than yanking the entire motherboard, CPU, cooling fan, heatsink, cables, etc.

If it works like a charm in another PC, it's not your PSU.


If it's not the PSU, my biggest suggestion would be to shop around for a new motherboard.


(after swapping out the CMOS battery, of course)

Title: Having Problems with my PC
Post by: Kazaa on August 31, 2007, 02:09:38 PM

Alright mate, that's what I will do :aok

I'll get on to it tomorrow. You have been a great help Krusty, sir.

, Kaz.

Title: Having Problems with my PC
Post by: Eagler on August 31, 2007, 03:41:03 PM

process of elimination .. disco and/or remove any cards or cables from the mb

hook up only the motherboard and video card and see if you at least get the bootup screen and go from there

that narrows it down to the power supply, vid card or motherboard. Start swapping know good parts to figure out your bad one

gl