Black Screen of Death???

[BazMan]

Hi all,

My parents computer just seems to have gone kaput! It was knocked very slighty and the thing just went off. When turned back on the monitor is completely blank and the computer doesn't even start to load up. The monitor is working fine and power is getting to the PC (the lights are on and the fan is whirring) but nothing else happens.

The power cable was slightly loose so i'm wondering whether something has shorted. Is it likely to be the HDD?? At the moment we can't do anything at all with it. Any help or comments would be most appreciated.

Cheers
BazMan

[master]

Depending on what type of system you have, you may be able to run a diagnostic test on your HDD.

You say your computer was knocked? Can you expand that? How hard was it knocked?
You also say that your monitor is fine- have you tested the monitor itself? Test it itself just to rule the monitor out.
Check for diagnostic utilities that came with your system- call your Tech Support department if you are unsure that you have these

[BazMan]

The computer wasn't knocked hard at all. About all the knock could have done is allowed the power cable to move about a bit. We've tried another monitor on the computer and that has a completely black screen aswell. When turned on absolutely nothing works. The reset button doesn't work, the power off button does nothing. The only way to turn it off at the moment is at the wall socket. We've inserted a floppy disc prior to turning it on and it doesn't even try to load from that

[master]

Although it may not do much good, try swapping the power cables from the monitor and the actual system. This would test the cables are working.

Also, you could try to reset your CMOS. Open your system, look into the motherboard until you see a small battery (similar to a watch battery). Take this out and leave it for about 15 minutes. Put it back in again and power your system on- notice any difference?

If possible, it would be good if you had another CMOS battery as this would also rule out a dead battery. You can buy these batteries from most good computer retailers.

Next, you would have to go through a process of elimination. Taking all parts out and adding them one at a time making a note of any changes in it, through beep codes etc. During this process you may be able to pinpoint a specific piece of hardware that is causing the problem.

If you try all of this and are still recieving the same problem, I am afraid you may be looking at a faulty motherboard. It's a real shame if it comes to this, considering that a new motherboard is extremly expensive. If you are still under warrenty from your computer manufacturer, you should be able to get the mobo replaced (after much chit chat on the phone!)

Hope this helps you