Computer Start Up Problems

Hey Guys. My friend has a computer that will not start up at all. He has had the computer for more than afew years, and has always had one problem, while playing cpu/graphic intense game the CPU would freeze (artifacts all over screen) go to a bsod (cant read error code because of the arftifacts) then reset itself. Also, there were times when he would press the power on button, the computer power would come on (fans would start spinning, computer would start to read HD) but nothing would show on the screen. It would be black. We switched out MB from his old ABIT to a new Giga-byte in hopes that this would solve the problem (the old ABIT would post an error code of 90, the new gigabyte doesnt have an error code reader). THe same thing happend, the computer would spin up, fans would start, HD would be read, but nothing, nothing at all would come up on screen. We switched out his Geforce 6800 with an old 5200 that i had, thinking maybe the video card was bad, and still nothing.

Afew things noted when i took aparts his computer and transferred the CPU was there was ALOT of thermal compound on the CPU, it was not AS5, it was a white one, im assuming the one that came with the processor. Could overuse of the thermal compound causes thes problems. Like i said, his computer would only bsod and shutdown when he was playing games that used games that utilized alot of CPU/GPU power, such as doom3, HL2 and such. Anyways, due to my limited expertise, im out of ideas. Im thinking either PSU (but then why would all fans spin) RAM (but it was working the whole time) or maybe the CPU (god i hope not) anyways, replies ASAP would be nice!

His computer is a:
Abit 754 Board
AMD 3400+
PNY 6800
Kingston Value Ram 1gig
Thermaltake Silent Power 480 Watt

I await your response, post if u need more info, ill be watching the thread!

 

Have taken out and replaced the RAM sticks now and still no boot, any suggestions? Getting kinda frustrated LOL! >_<

 

"THe same thing happend, the computer would spin up, fans would start, HD would be read, but nothing, nothing at all would come up on screen."

Is this what's happening now? Are there any beep codes? I'd disconnect everything but video (floppy, HD, modem/nic, cd, RAM) and boot again. The sloppy thermal cmpd is concerning. I'd also check the mobo for bulging/oozing capacitors or a bad smell. Here's pix just in case: http://cquirke.mvps.org/badcaps.htm.

Also, do you get the "no signal" screen on monitor if you disconnect (although it's prolly not the problem)?

Fans but no beeps is prolly either mobo or cpu, sorry to say.
Good luck!

 

Well, checked both boards, none had bad caps, did a minimal boot with only video card, and still nothing, i checked the video card on my moms computer and it is working fine, so i can rule that out. Dont think its a mobo since we are having the damn same problem on two mobos... guess its time to break the news to him that its the CPU, and has been all along. If anyone else has any suggestions as to more tests i should run im up for em.

-David