My computer won't Start. Black Screen

[airwolf09]

I have a HP tower with windows XP. I was trying to install a usb card port and it seems that the power was not completely off. I tried to reboot but the only thing I see is a black screen. I restarted the computer and the power is the only thing that comes on. It seems like the windows os does not want to start. The screen is black. Nothing seems to come on. I also smelled some smoke. Does anyone know what could be the problem?

[w1che]

I assume you took the card back out and tried to boot. If you smelled smoke you may be in real trouble. What have you done so far?

[khuram1991]

if you smelled smoke i assume either the power supply has gone or the motherboard. the only i suppose to check which of these has the problem is to try another power supply with the motherboard.

one thing some motherboards have a little led light (usually green) check if your motherboard has one and if it comes on when the power supply is switched on this may tell you if power is even getting to the motherboard.

[michels10]

does the computer make post? (does it reach the option to enter the bios) etc.?

[airwolf09]

bios does not star. nothing comes on. lights are green in the power supply. nothing comes on. just a black screen. it sounds light electricity is coming to the computer but not even the bios start

[michels10]

Being that it doesn't make post, im pushing more towards your mobo being shot. How about your graphics card, is there any way you can check that? (move it to another computer etc?)