i think my computer broke? calling all computer gurus!
 

hey guys i have a fairly expensive gaming computer that was bought off a freind and its been running clean for probably 6 months for me and about the same for him.

edit. if it matters...
nvidia 6800 video card (old big ones)
2 gigs of ram
160 gig hardrive (with about 20 gigs left)
anything else that matters?

i never really shut off the computer i just let it idle at night while playing music...

last night when i got home from work everything was fine i looked through some things on the internet and left it on as i usually do.

this morning i wake up and the computer is off.... noone ever touches my computer so they would not have turned it off.

i go to turn it back on and it powers up fine but i have no signal on my monitor.

so i take off the case and start checking components. maybe somehow something got loose? well thats not the case.. everything was fine. i then unplugged all the components (power cord monitor plug usb.. etc) and waited a good 10 minutes and still nothing.

when i boot up the computer it makes the usual murmurs but after about 15 seconds it seems to stop... all i can hear are the fans. it is a quick computer so it does boot up to the welcome screen in about that time...

my question is what the hell is wrong!!

i have a couple crappy video cards i can throw in there to see if it will help but i figured before i do that type of stuff id ask you guys. i know some of you have computer smarts (arct1)

thank for any help!

Are you getting anything on the screen - you should be at least be getting the bios displaying...

Check with another monitor if you can. I had a vid card crap out and it would stop during POST. I have also had problems with a dirty connector to the monitor in the past, blew it out and all was well.

i am not getting a bios screen or anything.

i have the computer connected to my tv also. neither connection worked.

Video card buggered - buy a new one!

+1 for the vid card. You can verify by swapping in one of those other cards you have.

+2 on the video card. is it agp or pci? if you don't have the right one, you can always find it at new egg. http://www.newegg.com/

+3 to the video card kerploding. Do you keep the internal case clean? It may have overheated after collecting dust for a long period... It's not a problem, it's an excuse to upgrade! :mdr:

unplug the tv, only have 1 monitor plugged in while trying to diagnose the problem.
probably the video card

tried this.

im going to get a new laptop today. will also pick up the new style 8800 if they have them:intello:

If you can't POST, then you have either a vid card or Ram prob. Possibly a PSU or CPU error as well.
If this is a gaming rig, is anything overclocked? Were any voltages turned up? Can you reset a few times, or better yet clear the CMOS if you know how?

If you cant even post, its hard to tell what the prob is always if you don't have spare parts to swap around. Be prepared to keep the boxes and reciept for whatever parts you buy, you may have to change a few things around before you solve the issue.

i would take out any additional cards as well if you have any. They could have died and is causing a conflict error preventing posting. Start with the bare minimal and work from there.

I opened a division at my company for recycling PCs monitors etc so no corp got superfunded, (for reference) Blow out the crud on chip fan and power supply,.... it works for a few then fails, that was the general prob. dog hair and puddy fur

i've worked on computers with that sort of problem before... theyre a huge pain. if its not the BIOS or the gfx card, i have a few steps ive learned in my times that may work for you too...
PLAN A
1. lick the mouse for a bit, see if you can bend it into submission
2. Threaten it with a screwdriver(make sure its phillips head, computers these days can tell the difference.)
3. kick it in the face with your energy legs
4. make it jealous with another computer(works better if its a mac)
5. bring it flowers
6. apologize for any wrongdoings against it
7. help it do it's job by spinning the fans with your fingers and blowing on it
8. give it a hug
9. promise that you will love it forever
10. place it on a golden pedestal with spotlights around it in a glass case, with the title, the best computer anybody could ever wish for.

or of course you could go to plan b, which involves ducttape and C4...

:lol:

My last 2 shuttle boxes i had built would both power on but would not post anything.. just a blank screen and fans blowing.. I thought it was a video card but it turned out to be the the power supply...