Nothing happens when PC turned on

Hello, I got a new PC about 2 months ago and left my old one as it was for the whole time. Recently, I wanted to do a clean install and give the old PC to my family but when I turned on the PC, my monitor would only show "No Connection" or something similar.

After turning on the PC, I can see the CPU, PSU and mobo fans and lights working and could just about hear the HDD spinning up.
The only new part that I installed in the PC was a new HDD which I was to format. Everything else was left as it was and it was all working fine 2 months ago.

I tried to find out the problem but I'm still stumped.
1. I removed the graphics card and used the integrated on-board graphics.
2. Disconnected the HDD and just started it up.
3. Used 2 different monitors.
All of those still showed the same issue where nothing was coming up on the monitor.

I hope this is a common and simple problem and can be fixed quickly. I'm thinking perhaps the mobo battery had died or something. Thank you for your advice in advance.

 

Have you replaced the motherboard battery or reset the cmos? The first thing to try is a cmos reset so with the power disconnected remove the battery for 10 secs then replace and try to boot.

For troubleshooting disconnect all add in cards, hard drives, cdrom, use one stick of memory in dimm0 then switch to another stick if you have two and try try to boot again, then repeat in the next dimm slot over, the goal is to first access the bios.

Change your video cable if possible.

 

Thanks for your reply. However, even after doing all that the result was still the same. I think I'll have to bring this over to the shop and let them handle it.

 

I would check all your power connections. You may have accidently knocked loose one to the motherboard (most need two, and sometimes three connections from the PSU). If all connections are good, I would try another power supply. The fact you can see some evidence of power does not mean the PSU is outputting all the necessary voltages.

 

Is there any sound from the machine ? (beeps) [I assume not else you'd have said]
You said that you'd disconnected HDD; can we assume that the machine had (after you had done that) the same configuration as when you stopped using it 2 months ago ? That is the point at which I'd start.
It is normally suggested that you remove all unnecessary peripheral devices, leavng only k/b, mouse and monitor. Digerati's advice concerning the PSU is sound.
If you feel confident with working inside the machine (which I assume you are as you've inserted and removed the graphics card), take off the side panel (observing anti-static precautions of course) and ensure all the connectors are properly seated, the boards (eg memory DIMMs) are in place too.
Closely examine the (electrolytic) capacitors on the m/b. Are any of them damaged (especially around the CPU heatsink).
How many times have you tried to turn the PC on ? After powering down try turning it off at the PSU if the PSU has such a switch, and the mains, in the various combinations. Leaving for for some time (hours) between efforts to power up may result in just one success.

I speak from personal experience (see a couple of my threads in MG) of the exact problem (still unsolved) you have described (so far). My PC starts just a small fraction of the times I try, but once it boots it can run for days. If you do get it going you likely as not have not solved your problem. I think it might be a good idea to check that the CPU fan spins up a short time after and if the computer boots; when my PC boots, the CPU fan doesn't spin.

I suspect it might be a job for a professional, even if your is PC worth repairing (to be honest I don't think mine is)

Dumb_Question
11.August.2013
Compaq Presario S5160UK DT261A under XP/SP3
Processor - Celeron 2.7 GHz
Motherboard - MSI MS-6577 v2.1
RAM - 1GB + 512MB (1GB +1GB max) DDR PC2700
PSU - Octigen 300W model 10270PSOTG ('upgraded' from original Bestec 250W PSU [in 2011?])
Nvidia GeForce 6200 graphics card in AGP slot.

 

put the original graphics card back, and see what happens..

 

I haven't thought of that, will try that out as soon as I have the time. Problem is I don't have a spare PSU so if all the troubleshooting eliminates almost all the usual suspects, then the PSU is the most likely cause.

Yes, there is no sound, beeps etc coming from it. Didn't think of checking the capacitors, will do that too. All the parts are working as usual as far as I can see, and had been so when I stopped using it.

 

Well, did everything I could and suggested by the community except trying another PSU and it still nothing works. Pretty much needs to be sent to a shop and a tech to handle it.

Thank you all for your contributions.

 

So shame in that.