Would burned out RAM prevent start up?

If I accidentally zapped my RAM with static while vacuuming the inside of the case, would that prevent the whole system from starting. When I push the power button, the fans start to run for about 2 secs and then everything stops. LED on mobo is still lit and PSU appears to be working because the fans start to run. The system is about 5 years old.

 

I assume you had no beeps while booting to tell you that it could be RAM? At any rate, burn Memtest86+ to a floppy or CD and boot from that to check your RAM, if it is indeed the issue. You could of zapped something else while cleaning. Let it run for a few hours, preferably overnight to make sure of the RAM status.

 

the good news is no it's not your ram if it was bad rams your system would not post what so ever. but you mentioned it will start working then stop that sound like overheating issues there check CPU is placed proberly and fan is running and it's not over heating

 

@augiedoggie..After 2 secs everything, and I mean everything shuts right down. No beeps. Nothing. So running memtest isn't going to happen. I'm getting a very faint smell of something burning so I'm beginning to suspect the power supply.

 

Ouch..... Take out the RAM and blow out the slots with one of those cans of compressed air, and then start the computer without any RAM in it. It should beep at you.

If it doesn't, some other component is probably causing your problems. The burning smell is... a bad sign.

 

Started without ram, there was no beep. Any ideas what else to try?

 

I would look at the PSU next... do you have access to another power supply you can borrow?

 

Most systems are non-functional with no RAM and no CPU. Many do not even issue POST beeps because the motherboard is not capable of performing the POST at all. Some motherboards will not POST without a video device either.

So taking all the RAM out and trying to boot doesn't mean anything; the system probably is wholly unable to initialize to perform a POST.

 

Thanks for all the help...Resetting the CMOS fixed everything.