Completely dead PC

[AngryNord]

So, this is an old desktop PC that's been stored for some years, and had parts taken off it to Upgrade/repair other PCs in the meantime. I recently got hold of a New PSU for this PC (it was originally stored because the PSU blew), and decided to Complete it With some old hardware I had lying around, plus some New, bigger hard drives. I put everything together, but when turning on the PC, nothing happens (no lights, fans, anything). I have checked all Connections, turned on the switch on the PSU, loosened the mounting screws on the motherboard, removed the RAM, but still no go... I've tested the PSU With another motherboard, and that boots fine, so it is not the PSU. The green lite on the motherboard goes on, and the monitor goes out of sleep mode, but stays black, so I am uncertain if it is the motherboard... CPU??

[Musicman247]

Does the motherboard have a BIOS battery? Have you changed it if so?

[AngryNord]

Nope. that's about the one thing I haven't tried... The PC was relatively New when it was stored, but I Guess the long Storage may have worn it out...

EDIT: But if the CMOS battery was gone, the computer should still boot though (just display weird date/time settings and so on)?

[AngryNord]

Tried swapping the CMOS battery anyway - no result

[Andere]

1. I would pretty much go with Musicman247, pointing out that when changing the CMOS battery it is advisable to leave the computer alone for at least 30 seconds, before inserting the new battery. You may also try to nullify CMOS, by use of jumpers.

2. However, the problem might be that your CPU fan doesn't start. If it doesn't run, the system is locked.

3. If CMOS battery is out, or CPU fan doesn't run... you don't necessarily get any info. It may be a pure blank - no definite rules here.

...but I Guess the long Storage may have worn it out...

Don't think so, electronics don't really react that way, unless having been stored in some humid or otherwise unkind environment, causing oxidization or other damage. But a mechanical device like a fan can react much faster. Check that the CPU fan blades move smoothly, manually.

Hope you get it running.

[AngryNord]

Got hold of a similar motherboard and put in the computer, keeping the rest of the original hardware. Still won't boot, but now the fans come on, at least, but no POST and nothing on the monitor - so I Guess the Graphics card died and took the motherboard With it....

[Andere]

What kind of beep do you get when you start the computer? The standard is a single clear beep, but if it's loooong or several beeps?

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000607.htm

Anyway, it may be hazardous to connect new components to something one suspects is broken. Usually it only results in computer not working, but sometimes it breaks the new parts. Experimenting is of free will... I managed to burn two motherboards whilst building a new pc - not funny, it cost me €500.