Computer won't power up..Fan runs like it's going to

[cloudcars]

The power comes on and the computer fan and noises run hard like regular start up, but it doesn't stop...nothing loads....no pictures, nothing on screen...

Running an Emachine desktop, Windows XP, 512mb, AMB Sempron

[hot dog]

Can you see anything at all?  Are you able to see the BIOS version when you first power on the computer?

Have you made any software or hardware changes recently?

[cloudcars]

Nope, absolutely no response...nothing on screen.  We haven't installed or made any changes in  several weeks. This just started last nite.

[hot dog]

The first thing I would try first, verify that the monitor is correctly attached to the computer and plugged in....  If that is all good, then see if you can borrow a monitor from another computer and swap it with the current monitor.....Then when you turn on your computer, if you can see everything, we've isolated the problem to your current monitor...

If when you power on the computer with the new monitor and NOTHING is being displayed then the problem is likely with your computer........Try another monitor first

[cloudcars]

We did that before posting here....a different monitor didn't make a difference.

[hot dog]

Ok so the problem is with your graphics card or something else

Do you currently use a graphics card in the problematic computer, or do you plug the monitor directly into the motherboard....(on-board graphics card)?

Some computers don't have onboard graphics chip and need to use a card, but either way we need to determine if your graphics card is faulty


edit: If your computer has both built in graphics chip and a video card, shutdown the computer, unplug it, open the case, pull out the video card and try using the onboard VGA/DVI port instead.....

[cloudcars]

The monitor port plugs directly into the motherboard. The graphics card is built into the motherboard. When we turn it on, it keeps running like its loading but won't go any further.

[hot dog]

I'm inclined to think that the motherboard is bad (someone correct me if they have any other ideas). 

You could try borrowing a video card from another computer and plugging it into your motherboard and going through the card instead of the onboard port... I wouldn't buy one though, until you know for sure that is the problem...   If once you do this, you still have no picture then the problem must be the motherboard and you'll have to order another one..




When you turn on the computer, do you hear any beeps?

Have you tried plugging the monitor into a different wall outlet (plug)?
I should have asked that a long time ago

[cloudcars]

Everything plugged into that power strip is working, so the plug is good..... No beeping sounds when we start it up....When we unplug the power cord from the back of the computer, and replug it in...the computer tries to start WITHOUT us even pushing the button. The CD Rom "drawer" opens when we push the button for it.

[hot dog]

Do you have a power supply that you can pull out of another computer temporarily, to try?


What is the make and model of the computer and how old is it?

[cloudcars]

about 2.5 yrs old
Emachine  W3118

Have an older Emachine, will see if the power supply from it will work

[cloudcars]

Tried another power supply, with no results...Computer has same symptoms as with original PS

[xavier]

Most likley the board is bad: E machines are one of the worst PCs

[hot dog]

Does the old eMachines computer by any chance have a graphics card that you can remove and put into your current machine?  Kind of difficult to tell at this point if the problem is the mboard or simply the graphics chip...Buying a graphics card might be a cheaper way to fix this as opposed to buying another motherboard, but if the motherboard is bad, a NEW card won't make any difference... Do you have a friend that you can steel a graphics card from, for a little while, just for troubleshooting purposes



This is a long shot, but the ram in your old eMachines computer might be compatible with the motherboard in your current computer, try swapping out the RAM, and see if it makes any difference.

[hot dog]

if no go on that........here you go:


http://cgi.ebay.com/eMachines-W3118-W3115-W3107-T3418-T3418-Motherboard_W0QQitemZ270367058868QQcmdZViewItem

edit: just remember, this is only a motherboard....the cpu and heatsink will not be included, so be sure to buy some "Thermal Grease" to place on top of the cpu when you install your current cpu to the new board....Google for instructions on using ZIF sockets and installing CPUs

by the way, I'm not too familiar with eBay so, you may want to do some background checking on the person selling the board! What is their rating?