computer won't turn on

[shannamar]

my parents recently shipped me their old computer (that I boxed up in Dec. 2004 and that was working when I boxed it up) and it won't turn on.

first, when i plugged it all in, the green light on the back would come on and as soon as i would push the button on the front, it would click off.

so i opened up the case. and i cleaned it out -- there was a lot of dust and dog hair in i took it all out of the fans and stuff (it was bad, they live in the west and there was tons of dust).

when i plugged it back in and the green light came on and i pushed the front button, it actually came on. i was very excited and there was an error about some fatal error or exception or something. (silly me--i didn't write the code down...)

so... i thought all was great. until i attempted to turn it back on after it being off for about 2 weeks.

now the problem is back--green light comes on .. but nobody's home..

does anyone have any suggestions? i would be most grateful! thank you...

[drewdown619]

Quick question...  When you push the power button does the fan kick on also?  Let us know...

[Shanna Marie]

Nope, no fan.

[rs8389]

Sooo.... Power light turns on, but nothing else happens?  No HDD sounds, no fans, no mouse turning on, no keyboard lights flashing...?

[Computer_Commando]

Probably dust inside the power supply has killed it.

[Shanna]

>>Sooo.... Power light turns on, but nothing else happens?  No HDD sounds, no fans, no mouse turning on, no keyboard >>lights flashing...?

Right--but let me clarify. The green power light comes on on the back but as soon as I hit the front power button the green light on the back immediately goes off.

In response to the second reply--if there is dust in the power supply how do I fix that? Get a new one or something? (can I?)

[rs8389]

Getting a new one would be your best bet....  Btw, you can get them off of http://www2.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?Submit=Go&DEPA=0&type=&description=&Category=32&minPrice=&maxPrice=&Go.x=18&Go.y=27 for pretty cheap..

[Shanna]

I replaced the lithium battery on the motherboard and all has fixed itself.

Thank you for all your help and suggestions!