COMPUTER WONT START

[jc10376]

Hey guys, I am new to this forum, found it while searching about possible reasons my pc wont start. Looks like a great forum, i have read a few threads of users with similar problems. My computer is an

IBM thinkcentre
Windows xp SP2
pentium 4
512 ram
80 hd

Bought it about 3 years, know its not the sharpest tool by far lol, but have some data i would like to avoid losing. It has been a good computer, no complaints, never froze or anything, just wanted to turn it on yesterday and...SURPRISE... I guess the correct term is it does not boot. Nothing appears on the screen, no words, logos or anything. I can hear some noise inside the PC, know it could be the hard drive not working, but it makes the same sounds it always does. I know it could be any hardware problem. One note, this had happened like twice, maybe once every 6-8 months, but I would just turn it off, then back on again and everything would be back to normal... not this time I guess. Could it be a virus or something? I dont think so, have not downloaded any new files and I have anti-virus installed.

What do you guys think? Any suggestions??

Thanks for taking the time to read 

[Spoiler]

Pull the cover off and look for dead fans. And blow the dust out than take a look at the video card. Does it have a fan? If its not moving than I would say you need a new one.

This is a start of things to look at.

[moono]

Due to the 'faltering' problem you describe, my guess is that your power supply unit is failing.  I used to give mine a slap when it failed to boot and that worked several times before it gave up completely and I had to fit a new one.

A good dust blow-out never does any harm, I agree.