PC won't startup Need Help

MBURGESS · 20 Nov 2011

Ok the problem is i can turn on my computer and the only thing that seems to be running are the fans (that spin way faster than Normal) and the CD drive which i can open. Things that no longer work is the light on the front of the case. So I was wondering if anyone can help me solve this problem. I believe the motherboard is the problem but please correct me if i'm wrong but it looks as the stuff that is not working all goes through the motherboard such as the power buttons back light.

Corazon · 21 Nov 2011

It sounds more like a power supply issue at this point. Since PSUs have to provide different voltages (3.3V, 5V and 12V) on separate rails, either the 3.3V or 5V rail might have failed (thus why case fans and the CD drive would still work but the rest wouldn't).

As a first troubleshooting step, I'd recommend connecting the motherboard to another (known good) PSU to see if it powers up and goes through POST.

MBURGESS · 21 Nov 2011

The power supply that installed is the original (worked great before) and I have tested my other ones and I still get the same thing

TVeblen · 21 Nov 2011

The test I use for a no start PC is to strip it down and then add components back, one at a time, to try and isolate the offending component.

The test (power off, power cord unplugged):

Disconnect everything externally connected except the mouse and keyboard (printers, USB devices). If you are not using a wired mouse and keyboard see if you can borrow one.
Disconnect the power and data cables from all the drives inside the computer (Hard drives, DVD/CD drives).
Remove all the cards installed in the PCI slots including the video card. (be careful handling them and place them on a non conductive surface while testing).
Remove all the RAM sticks (same rules as above).

Now connect the power cord and turn the PC on.

The motherboard should start beeping. You should get a beep code that tells you there is no memory. This is good, it means the processor is functioning and the motherboard is good so far.
Now add one stick of memory in Slot A1 and power on. More beeping: "no video card" beep code. This is good.
Then add the video card and connect it to the monitor. You should get no beeping and you should see the BIOS screens, ending with the message that there is no boot device.

If you get no video then switch the one memory stick installed for another one and test.
Continue adding components one at a time.

If at any point the PC fails the the last component added was the problem one.

As Corazon mentioned: if it is your power supply that is failing then you will be faced with that possibility at the very first step. There it is either PS or Motherboard.

MBURGESS · 21 Nov 2011

All right i removed all the memory, couldn't remove the graphics card because it is integrated and i don't get the beep sequence when i start it up

TVeblen · 21 Nov 2011

OK. So if you removed everything and there is only the Motherboard (with integrated video), processor, and power supply to contend with...

And it does not POST or show anything on the screen (please confirm)...

Then the problem component is one of those three.

And if you have tested by using another power supply then you are down to two.

And it has been a long long time since I've ever heard of a processor dying without self inflicted wounds, so I think your initial guess was spot on.

Motherboard.

Try performing a CLRTC or Clear CMOS as a last ditch effort, and check the 3v battery. Both long shots, but what do you have to lose at this point.

Corazon · 22 Nov 2011

Needless to say, TVeblen is spot on. However, there's a remote possibility the motherboard is actually fine - it just won't POST because the BIOS is corrupted.

Some (most?) motherboards have a socketed BIOS flash ROM which can be physically replaced. Depending on your specific mobo, you may also have a built-in BIOS recovery tool that lets you reflash the main portion of the BIOS even before POST starts executing.

It seems that your PC has an ECS MCP61PM-GM motherboard; unfortunately I didn't readily find details or a manual for it online which would tell us whether BIOS recovery is an available option.