No matter how modern and powerful a computer you buy, over time all sorts of problems will begin with it. One of these problems is when the computer does not turn on at all. I think this problem is annoying and I would like to teach you how to solve it. I am sure that if you have been using a computer for a long time, then you have had such a problem when you press the power button on the system unit, but nothing happens or the light comes on, the cooler starts to work but immediately turns off and the computer does not show any signs of life. It may be that when you turn on the computer, it starts beeping and nothing else happens.
Today you will find out what are the reasons for this malfunction and why the computer does not turn on. In general, we continue to expand our knowledge in computer repair.
Why won't my computer turn on?
The easiest way to determine what is the cause of the problem being described is to listen to the sounds of the speaker. If the computer is not working, it will beep, that is, make sound signals, which for me personally are not very pleasant. If you hear such signals, then everything is not so bad and you can find out why the computer does not turn on. But if you don't hear any such sounds, don't be upset. Perhaps the tweeter itself is not connected to the motherboard.If the system unit has a special speaker or tweeter that came with the motherboard and remains in the box, it must be connected. You need to connect the speaker to the contacts on the motherboard. In order not to make a mistake and not to connect or disconnect unnecessary things, you need to read the instructions for the motherboard. You will definitely find the answer there.
The sounds your computer makes will depend on the BIOS manufacturer (Award, AMI, Phoenix Bios). If you don’t know what BIOS you have, then the instructions for the motherboard will again help you. If you threw away the instructions, then all the information can be found on the Internet. Even if the computer does not work, everything is fine with the phone. Enter the name of your motherboard, which you can find out by examining the motherboard itself, and look for all the information you need.
But, let's return to our topic of BIOS signals. The most common of them:
- Award or Award - Phoenix BIOS
Long repeating signals - RAM not found or not working
- AMI Bios (American Megatrends, Inc)
2, 3 or 4 short beeps – RAM problem
5 short beeps – the processor may be faulty
1 long, 3 short beeps – video card malfunction
- Phoenix Bios
2 short beeps and 1 long beep – RAM fault.
These are the most common BIOS signals that you may have. In fact, there are many more of them. You can find out about them by reading on the Internet.
And so, we can conclude, based on the popularity of sound signals, that there are also the most popular reasons why a computer does not turn on. These sources of problems include:
- Problems with 220V power supply
- The power supply is faulty
- Battery ran out
- A lot of dust
- Problems with components or cables
- Bad power button
- The motherboard is faulty.
- Now let's talk about each problem and its solution separately.
- Problems with 220V power supply.
It is also necessary to take into account the number of devices and devices that are connected through surge protectors or extension cords to one outlet. Perhaps you overloaded the outlet and the computer did not turn on due to the protection. To test this option, you need to disconnect all devices that are powered from one outlet and leave only the computer. Perhaps in this case it will work. If the network voltage is very high or low, the computer will also not turn on. Moreover, there is a high probability that it may burn out. You can check the voltage with a special device or using an incandescent light bulb by eye. The main thing is not to confuse the lamp with an energy-saving one.
If the voltage decreases, then the light bulb will shine dimmer, but if it is higher than usual, it will burn brighter. Also, at high voltage, the light bulb can light up and immediately burn out. But this verification option is not particularly safe, so it is better to get a tester.
There are times when the outlet is fully operational, but the computer still does not receive electricity. This occurs due to poor contact of the power cable. Disconnect the cable from the power supply and reconnect it as tightly as possible.
It’s stupid to remind you, but still. It is worth remembering the buttons next to the connector on the power supply. It must be turned on. Sometimes it gets so funny that you’ve already tried everything, but the computer still won’t turn on. It turns out that the button on the power supply was turned off.
But don't press any other switches. There may be an input voltage switch on your power supply. It is usually red. You can't touch him at all!!! Its purpose is to switch the input voltage level between 127 and 220V. This is done in order to use the power supply in another country where the mains voltage is 127V, such as, for example, in the USA.
Problems with the power supply.
If you are convinced that everything is in order with the power supply, then you need to start checking the next element - the power supply. After all, it is where the power goes when you turn on the computer. In most cases, it is a faulty power supply that causes a “dead” computer.
The fact is that in our country people are gradually getting used to saving on everything. And computer elements are no exception, especially if you look at how much they cost. People naturally prefer a Chinese cheap copy of the power supply.
But this position regarding the computer is generally unprofitable. Some users do not understand how important the power supply is in the computer system unit. And we are talking not only about the maximum permissible power, but also about a quality manufacturer. It’s very good if the power supply is covered with a copper basin without catching anything. In this case, you buy a new power supply, only one that is of higher quality and more reliable. And that’s it, the problem with starting the computer will be solved. But there are times when the power supply “dying” drags along some elements of the system unit, or even the entire computer. And in this case, you will have to buy a new computer. Agree, it’s scary to even read about this! But I hope it’s not like that for you everything is bad.
To check the power supply, install a known-good element into your system unit and check whether it will work. If there is no such working power supply at hand, then we will check the performance of our part. But we can’t do without a voltage tester. Such a check can only be carried out when the lights come on when the computer is turned on.
The test using a tester is simple: take any power connector and measure the voltage: between any black and red wire there should be 5V, and between black and yellow 12V.
Some power supplies, when used for a long time, acquire the effect of “sticking” of the internal protection. Pull out the cable and leave it for about 10 minutes. After that, connect the cable back and start the computer. If the computer still does not start, then you need to proceed to checking the following elements.
The battery has run out.
Every motherboard has a small 3V lithium battery. It supports volatile CMOS memory, which stores BIOS settings. On a computer that has been used for a long time or has simply been left idle for a long time, the battery will run out and all settings will be lost. A dead battery is easy to recognize. Each time you turn it on, the time will be lost. Sometimes an error occurs at startup and the BIOS asks you to enter it and resave the settings. But there are times when, due to this dead battery, the computer does not turn on at all or turns on only every other time. Again, if you have a voltage tester, you can easily check if the battery is working. If you don't have a tester, it's better to replace the battery. It is inexpensive and sold in any computer store.
The computer got dusty.
If there are already carpets of dust inside the system unit, then it is not surprising that the computer does not turn on. Do not forget that the system unit must be cleaned regularly and the thermal paste on the processor must be changed. It is best to clean with a vacuum cleaner and a brush.
Don't forget about the contacts of the RAM and boards. They also need to be cleaned. Just before this you need to completely disconnect the computer. Taking the RAM out of the slots, using a regular grater, also known as an eraser, we clean the contacts. We try, they should shine. But do it very carefully. Often there are microscopic parts located above the contacts. There is no way to touch them.
To clean the contacts of the memory slots from dust, you can use a toothbrush, shaving brush or any other brush, as long as they are of the appropriate size.
At the very end, we clean the fans and check their performance. If the fan does not work, the computer may turn off immediately after turning on. A large amount of dust in the system unit will cause the computer to overheat. Actually, because of this, the computer may not turn on, or it may constantly reboot.
The problem of components and cables.
If anyone has reached this stage of verification, then it is worth working by the method of elimination, because you never know in which particular part of the system unit the problem lies. The check should begin with those parts that are absolutely necessary to start the computer. All other elements must be disabled or completely removed from the system unit. In short, we leave the motherboard, the processor and fan connected to it, RAM, if there is no built-in video card, then we leave that too. It's also worth connecting a keyboard. If you only have one stick of RAM, then insert it into another slot. If the computer with these elements is working properly, then we begin to connect the remaining elements in turn. Next you need to connect the hard drive. By gradually connecting the elements you can find the problem area.
There is a high probability that the part of the system unit itself will be in good order, but the cable or cable may not work.
Problem with the power button.
One of the reasons why the computer does not want to work may be hidden in the start button of the system unit. Perhaps the button does not close the contacts well enough. It is clear that because of this the computer will not turn on. It is very easy to check its functionality. To do this, you need to inspect the motherboard and find the place where the wire from the front panel of the system unit case is connected. And there you can easily find the “Power” connector. Pull out the connector itself and use a screwdriver to close the two contacts. If the computer still does not turn on, go look for the problem further.
Problem with the motherboard.
If you did everything as described above and the computer does not start, then I have bad news for you - there is a problem with the motherboard. There is a high probability that you will have to replace it with a new one, but it is now oh so expensive. Yes, and you will want to change the motherboard to a newer one. Accordingly, you will have to change the processor, and then the RAM. In short, the entire system unit will undergo an upgrade. But, if you change a motherboard from the same series as yours, it must have:
- same processor socket (socket)
- required number of RAM slots, and of the same type (DDR, DDR2, DDR3...)
- interface for connecting an existing hard drive (IDE, SATA)
- a sufficient number of expansion slots for existing cards (PCI, PCE-Express)
You shouldn’t rule out repairing the motherboard, especially if it’s under warranty. But in this case, you will have to sit without a computer for a long time. From my own experience, I know that no one is in a hurry to repair the motherboard under warranty.
If there is no warranty, then you should send the motherboard for repair if the repair work does not exceed 30% of its price.
After you have independently checked the elements of the system unit and have not found a problem, there is no need to do anything yourself. You can only make it worse. You will have to call a specialist to your home so that he can “diagnose the patient.”
Actually, that's all. I’m sure our article helped you and you fixed your computer. Stay with us and learn a lot of new things.
Even the most careful user is faced with a situation when his computer suddenly stops turning on. This can be due to a variety of reasons - hardware, software, or due to the complex influence of both. How can they be detected? What are the available ways to fix problems that prevent your PC from booting?
Interpretation of breakdowns
Strictly speaking, a situation in which the computer does not turn on at all, that is, when there is no reaction to pressing the power button, is rare. It is due to a few reasons, for example, simply because the electricity in the apartment is turned off.
Many users understand the state when the computer does not turn on at all as the absence of an image on the screen, while the system unit is humming as usual and the lights on it are on. There is another interpretation of the problem - the image is there, but Windows does not load. In this sense, the user equates this state of affairs with the fact that the computer does not turn on at all, since the result is the same: you cannot work on the PC. We will consider several scenarios, taking into account the difference in user views on the essence of the problem in question.
The situation when the computer is completely damaged, as we noted above, is quite rare. Most often, certain mechanisms on the system unit still begin to work, but for a number of reasons, further loading of the PC becomes impossible. The architecture of modern PCs provides a mechanism that suggests that in the event of such failures, the input/output system - BIOS - signals them through sounds similar to a squeak. They can be heard in speakers or in a small speaker built into the motherboard. Let's consider their features.
about breakdowns
The sounds in question are divided into two types - long and short. If the computer does not turn on and beeps, then you need to determine what the sequence of signals is. Modern motherboard manufacturers most often program the corresponding function of the microcircuits in relation to the following combinations of sounds:
If 1 long beep and 3 short beeps are heard, this indicates that the computer does not find the video card;
If the user hears long, identical and repeated sounds, this means that there are problems with the RAM;
If the speaker makes 5 short sounds, this may indicate a processor failure;
They can also be voiced using 1 long signal and 3 short ones.
Note that the use of certain signal formats depends on the BIOS version. How is it shown? For example, in some BIOS versions, problems with the video card are signaled by 2, 3 or 4 short beeps in a row. If the computer does not turn on and beeps in a certain way, then in the Award type BIOS the interpretation of sounds may differ from that set for the input/output system in the Phoenix modification.
Power supply problems
Let's consider the case in which the computer does not turn on due to power problems. If the PC does not respond to pressing the button, then the first thing you need to check is whether there is electricity in the apartment. If it is, then you need to check whether the protection on the surge protector has worked. This happens when a large number of devices are connected to it - especially those that require significant power. There may well be problems with the PC power cable - you need to check whether it is correctly connected to the corresponding socket in the system unit, as well as to the outlet.
If the computer does not turn on at startup, this may be due to the user's oversight in activating the switch at the back of the system unit. It is located next to the socket where the power cable is inserted. It is necessary that the corresponding element is in the on position. Also, some PCs support multiple types of alternating current, such as 110 and 220 volts. To work in each of them, you must move the corresponding switch to the correct position.
Problems with the power supply
Another possible reason that the computer does not turn on at all is a broken power supply. In this case, electricity is supplied to the PC normally, but the corresponding component responsible for its distribution does not work. It is not recommended to diagnose the functionality of the power supply without the appropriate equipment - it is better to immediately contact specialists.
But it may well turn out that it does not turn on due to a failure in the power supply, which the user can easily fix on his own. The fact is that sometimes the internal protection mechanism on the power supply against voltage changes is triggered. If there is a surge in the electrical network, the corresponding elements in the PC system unit are triggered and do not supply power to the microcircuits. This lock will remain in effect until the user discharges the capacitor responsible for the operation of the protection system. This is easy to do - you need to remove the power cord from the system unit socket, wait a few seconds and put it back. If the problem was due to the protection being triggered, the PC will start to boot normally.
Replace battery
Among the possible reasons that the PC refuses to respond to the power button is a failed CMOS battery, which is located on the motherboard. Its shelf life is about 5 years. Therefore, it is completely normal that after this period it may stop functioning. Note that this problem does not appear immediately: it is usually preceded by certain problems with starting the PC, spontaneous failures in the system time settings, and booting the computer every once in a while.
It is quite easy to replace a CMOS battery - it makes sense for completely inexperienced users to turn to professionals, those who do not want to accidentally harm their computer due to the lack of significant hardware. The element in question looks, in fact, like a battery, but very flat, similar to a small coin. It can be located in different places on the motherboard. An example is in the photo below.
You can remove the battery using a thin screwdriver. It’s better to take it with you to the store as a sample and ask the seller to give you exactly the same one, but recently released.
When the hardware slows down
If the computer's power does not turn on, then problems may also arise in other hardware components of the system unit. For example, it often happens that the design of the actual start button of the system unit is deformed. As a result, the corresponding element simply cannot close the necessary contacts on the motherboard for the computer to start booting. You can also help the system start up manually by finding the Power connector on the motherboard and carefully closing the contacts on it using a screwdriver. Of course, it is better if a specialist does this.
The PC motherboard contains a large number of capacitors, transistors and other elements, each of which is important for the stable operation of the PC. If the computer does not turn on at all, the reasons may be that one of the relevant components has failed. Obviously, only an experienced specialist can detect it. But by method of elimination, it is quite possible to try to figure out this problem, making sure that the problem is not in the power supply, not in the power supply, and not in the power button.
We looked at the main reasons why a PC may not respond to the power button at all. Let us now study situations in which the computer turns on but does not start, that is, there is no picture on the screen or there is one, but this does not give anything from the point of view of the prospects for using the PC.
Noises without result
Let's consider the first option, when the system unit is working, but the image does not appear on the screen - it blinks. This situation may be due to several reasons.
The most common reason why a computer fails is problems with the video card. This is a fairly sensitive component, mainly due to its susceptibility to overheating. Video cards usually have factory coolers, but increased load on the corresponding PC component may require significantly more powerful cooling systems.
If the computer screen does not turn on, then checking what type of device has stopped functioning is quite simple. You need to connect another monitor to the PC, or, conversely, connect the current display to any third-party device. It happens that there are problems in ensuring contact between the monitor and the system unit - the wire is twisted or, for example, the connector is clogged. And in this case, an interesting effect can be observed - another monitor on the computer being tested does not work due to dust clogged in the video connector on the system unit, and the current display does not function on a third-party device due to blockages in its elements.
Another reason for the situation in question, when the computer does not turn on (the coolers are working, but nothing is displayed on the screen), is problems at the motherboard level. As we noted above, it contains a large number of components. Many of them are responsible specifically for processing video signals.
Why won't Windows boot?
What could it mean when there is a picture on the screen? The fact that, at a minimum, a PC has a functioning processor, RAM, video card and main chips. That is, technically the computer is ready to work, but for some reason it cannot launch the operating system. Scenarios that reflect a breakdown may in this case be as follows.
Let’s say the following picture appears before the user’s eyes: the computer does not turn on (the screen works), and this is expressed in the fact that instead of loading Windows there are inscriptions on the screen. In this case, it is extremely important what type of messages pop up and what they are about. There may be several main options here.
There may be problems with the hard drive. In this case, a message like Reboot and Select Proper Boot Device or Disk Boot Failure will appear on the screen.
It is possible that Windows OS files are damaged for some reason, for example due to a computer virus. In this case, the command line may appear on the screen, but the graphical components of the OS will not load. Note that sometimes the same messages appear on the monitor in the event of a failure in Windows as in the case of difficulties with the disk.
In both scenarios, the problem is quite serious and may require reinstalling the OS or replacing the hard drive. But it happens that this is a very minor failure, for example, associated with unstable contact of the hard drive connectors on the motherboard. It can be easily resolved by checking the relevant elements.
The simplest case is that a floppy disk is located in the reader for flexible magnetic media (although they are considered obsolete, but are sometimes used). In many PCs, in the system settings, no matter how surprising it may sound, the option is activated according to which the OS should start loading from the floppy disk. Not finding an operating system on it, the computer decides that it is not installed at all and displays a corresponding message on the screen. You need to remove the floppy disk and try loading again.
A similar situation is that the user recently reinstalled Windows or supplemented it with some software samples from the boot disk and forgot it in the corresponding reader. The system, quite possibly, will also be configured to start booting from a CD or DVD drive, and it will continue to do so every time until the person removes the disk from there. Typically, if there are no system files on the DVD, the download then continues from the hard drive. But they may be hidden on the media for the user, and he may not even suspect what’s going on when Windows won’t load. Therefore, when starting a PC, in any case, you should make sure that no media - neither flexible nor laser - is placed in the readers.
If Windows does not boot, this may also be due to problems with the hard drive hardware. To do this, you should connect the hard drive to another PC as an additional one, and check whether files can be read from it. By the way, it will be useful to make copies of the most valuable data to another computer.
Another option is that Windows may start to load, but instead of the “Desktop”, other pictures or, again, the command line will be displayed on the screen. This means that the disk is fine, but there are problems with the operating system itself. In this case, it is highly likely that you will need to reinstall the OS.
In case of possible problems with starting Windows, the user should always have a boot disk at hand. This may be proprietary installation media from Microsoft or, for example, generated by the computer manufacturer. In the second case, the disk may also contain useful ones. A similar type of media can be made independently, for example, based on free Linux distributions.
Incorrect BIOS settings
It happens that the computer turns on, but does not start because the settings in the input/output system are incorrect. This may be due, for example, to the fact that the user installed some new hardware component in the PC, for example, an additional RAM module updated the video card or even the processor, but the BIOS settings remained the same.
In this case, the most correct option is to set the options in the I/O system to default. To do this, you need to go to the BIOS interface - most often, you need to press DEL at the very beginning of booting the PC, and then find the Set Default Settings item or something similar. Then you should select the Save and Exit Setup option or something similar. After this, the I/O system will record the changes to set the default settings and reboot the PC. If the problem persists, then the reason why the download is not happening is something else. Subsequently, the most optimal BIOS settings can be set by consulting with experienced specialists.
By the way, in the BIOS you can also correct the sequence of system requests to load the OS. Above we looked at a scenario in which a floppy disk placed inside the corresponding reader could prevent Windows from starting. The settings responsible for accessing it are also specified in the BIOS. They are located in the Boot Sequence section or similar to it. As a rule, these settings involve vertical ranking of the media from which the download will be carried out. If the floppy disk (Floppy) is located above the others, then it can be replaced with an HDD (hard drive).
A running PC turns off
What should you do if the following situation occurs: your computer turns off and won’t turn on? The simplest option here is, of course, power outages. But quite often the reason is different - overheating of certain hardware components. Most often - the processor. When it overheats, a protection algorithm is triggered in the system. Moreover, as a rule, it is hardware-based, that is, included in the architecture of the processor itself. If the temperature of the main PC chip is higher than the critical level programmed into it, the computer will not turn on.
There are two reasons for this problem: a faulty or insufficiently powerful cooler, as well as dried thermal paste, a substance that enhances the effect of the fan. It happens that the user overclocks the processor too much - as a rule, this procedure involves a significant increase in the clock frequency of the microcircuit, which leads to its noticeable overheating, which the cooler may not be designed for.
In order for a computer with a processor whose temperature is above normal to boot, you need to wait a little. To prevent this problem from arising later, you should replace the thermal paste and also improve the cooler. It may also be that the fan is simply dusty. In this case, you need to clean it. By the way, the hygiene aspect is important for most PC components - not only the cooler, but also the video card, motherboard, disks, and the main fan on the system unit.
Misunderstanding of the nature of certain computer problems often leads to diagnostic errors, without which qualified repairs are impossible. And you should approach the search for a problem with its accurate description. A malfunction that is described with the words: “when you press the power button, the computer does not turn on, but the fans work” is called a lack of initialization or an initialization error. It should not be confused with “non-powering” - complete inaction when pressing power, since the causes of these two problems are usually different.
Initialization, in this case, is the readiness of the equipment for operation. And if any of the devices critical for starting the PC refuses to start, we will observe a characteristic picture:
- after turning on the system unit, a loud noise from the fans is heard (they rotate at a constant high speed);
- The keyboard and power indicators come on and do not go out;
- the screen remains black.
Nothing else happens.
Causes
According to statistics, the most common source of such a problem is the following:
- damage to the BIOS - a program stored in the CMOS flash memory chip on the motherboard, responsible for the initial boot of the PC, as well as for checking and consistency of operation of all its devices at the startup stage;
- a failed processor or a malfunction of its power supply system;
- inoperability of RAM (random access memory) or incompatibility of installed RAM strips with each other;
- malfunction of system logic chips (chipset) on the motherboard, especially often the north bridge.
Other reasons that can also cause such a “clinic” include damage to the components of the motherboard, leading to destabilization of the device’s power supply, a defect in the solder contacts of the microcircuits, a power supply with voltage “drop” along individual lines, a dead CMOS battery, as well as other problems equipment installed on the PC. However, this is less common.
It is also important to understand that this problem is never the result of software glitches in the operating system. Because its download doesn't even start.
Diagnostics
What can a user do if he finds himself in such a situation? Even without special equipment, you can try to solve the problem at home. It is enough to know how to use a screwdriver.
Resetting BIOS settings to factory settings
This is the simplest and, sometimes, very effective way to troubleshoot computer boot problems. If your case is not the most difficult, perhaps it will help.
- Turn off the computer's power and remove the system unit cover.
- Find the coin cell battery on the motherboard and remove it from the socket.
- connect the contacts of the battery socket to each other, for example, using a screwdriver;
- reinstall the battery.
There is another option for resetting the BIOS - using a Clear CMOS jumper. It must be removed for 15 - 20 seconds. and move it to two adjacent contacts, and then return it to its place. Sometimes the jumper is called differently: CL_CMOS, CCMOS, CLRTC, CRTC, etc.
After completing these operations, connect the power to the computer and try to turn it on. If the problem is resolved, its cause lies in an incorrect BIOS Setup configuration.
Disable everything unnecessary
If the first method did not help, move on. Let's try to exclude the influence of equipment that is not necessary for a successful start of a PC. To do this, you need to prepare a table covered with insulating material (polyethylene, rubber, plastic, wood, etc.) on which you will assemble the stand.
Let's get started:
- turn off the power to the PC and remove the case cover;
- remove expansion cards from the slots of the motherboard, disconnect the power and interface cables from it, remove the memory sticks;
- remove the motherboard from the case, place it on the table and inspect for artifacts - swollen capacitors, signs of overheating (darkening and deformation of plastic parts), mechanical damage and other defects;
- if there are no artifacts, install one memory stick in the slot, connect a video card (if there is no built-in one), a monitor, a previously removed boot hard drive and a power supply;
- turn on the power supply to the mains;
- use a screwdriver to close the contacts of the power button - Power Switch (can be labeled as ON, PWR_ON, PC_ON) - this action is similar to turning on the computer by pressing this button.
If you see the operating system loading on the monitor, it means that the failure is caused by one of the disconnected devices. Well, if nothing happens besides the rotation of the fans again, let’s try to figure it out in more detail.
- Start the system. Carefully touch the processor heatsink and large board components - microcircuits, mosfets, etc. - normally they should be warm. Strong heating (don’t get burned!) indicates a malfunction of the elements (soldering defect, short circuit), and a complete absence of heating (room temperature) most likely indicates that the unit is not receiving supply voltage.
- Turn off the power to the PC. Remove the memory stick, remove the oxide layer on its contacts by rubbing it with a school eraser, blow out the slot where it was located, and install it back. Turn on your computer. If the problem is solved, the reason was poor contact between the RAM and the board connector. If it doesn't work, install the bar in another slot - it might be the culprit.
We replace components with known good ones
None of the methods helped? The last thing left that can be done at home is to replace PC devices one by one with working ones, of course, compatible with your system. However, there is a risk of damaging them.
If this is not possible or desirable, or if the described problem occurs on the laptop, the only remaining option is to contact a service center.
If Windows OS does not boot and the computer does not turn on: the main causes of malfunctions.
Although a computer is a machine, it may well behave unpredictably. It seemed that yesterday everything was in perfect order, but today the Windows OS does not load or, worse, nothing works at all. Of course, this will infuriate even the calmest person, but there is no need to panic. Let's first look at what computer malfunctions exist that cause it to not turn on, and also why the Windows operating system won't load.
If the computer does not turn on at all, then the problem most likely lies with the power supply. Check whether there is voltage supplied there, whether the socket is working, whether the surge protector is turned on, and whether there is a toggle switch on the power supply. The most common reason that a PC does not turn on is the switch on the power supply is in the “off” position.
If all of the above is in perfect order, but the computer does not start, it means that the power supply is still faulty. You can replace it by taking it, for example, from friends (the most common method). Many home-grown computer craftsmen do this, replacing the suspicious part with a spare one. But then you will need to keep an arsenal of computer parts at home.
Computer problems are often associated with insufficient contact at the junction of cables, cables, boards or strips. Everything in the computer must be assembled and installed neatly, securely and tightly. It is possible that in order to find the cause of the malfunction, you will even have to disassemble the computer and then reassemble it, testing and adding one part at a time. This fairly simple method will help us almost 100% find the culprit of a computer breakdown or freeze. Although the process may be lengthy, you can find the problem yourself, without calling a specialist.
The most likely reason that the computer turns off or restarts spontaneously is overheating of the processor or power supply. The motherboard always monitors the processor temperature and, for protection purposes, turns off the power when the temperature reaches a critical temperature. You can configure the settings for such protection in the BIOS. If you installed the cooler on the processor incorrectly or applied a thick layer of thermal paste, overheating can occur noticeably faster. The temperature sensor is faulty - the computer may also turn off spontaneously. Moreover, there is no overheating, but the sensor will show incorrect data. You can’t do this without the help of computer specialists.
Let's talk about the main types of computer malfunctions that occur when you turn it on:
1. The computer does not turn on, the power supply and fans do not work, the lights on the system unit do not light up.
The reason, most likely, again lies in a faulty power supply. The power supply could fail due to voltage surges and poor quality of the computer part itself.
Be sure to check that the power cables are well connected to the computer and that the power button is working properly. After that, make sure that the toggle switch on the power supply is in the “ON” position. Let us repeat that there have often been cases when a service engineer, without performing any manipulations, simply turned on the computer, and it calmly began to work.
2. The computer does not turn on, the lights on the system unit do not light up, but the fans are noisy.
To be more precise, the system unit works, but the monitor does not. Therefore, you definitely need to make sure that the monitor is working. To do this, you just need to look at the power light indicator. It is available on any monitor, and if it lights up, it means it is working.
3. The computer turns on, but does not boot, however, it beeps. There is no image on the monitor.
In this case, the decoding is quite simple: it is 99% likely that one of the devices burned out: the motherboard, RAM, or, less commonly, the processor or power supply. It is impossible that the hard drive burned out. There is a 1% chance of the computer overheating very quickly. It is likely that the cooler, which was not tightly attached before, has completely come off.
4. The computer turns on, but does not boot. White letters appear on a black screen.
This most likely means that the computer is working properly. The problem may be with the hard drive, but, as a rule, not with other components. However, in this case you cannot do without reinstalling Windows. Your computer may simply be infected with a virus, or the user may have unknowingly deleted system files of primary importance.
5. Now consider a situation where the computer is working, but the Windows operating system finds thousands of reasons not to boot.
There may be plenty of reasons why the Windows operating system will not boot: evil viruses, illegal programs, or worse, the “crooked” hands of users. It may not be so easy to understand this the first time, but we will try to figure it out. First of all, it is important to understand at what stage the operating system fails.
If the end of the work comes at the very beginning, and a black screen appears before Windows loads, then the main cause of the problem is most likely a hardware malfunction. A characteristic sign is a short “beep” emitted by the machine when the computer is turned on. It directly indicates that the basic equipment, which includes: processor, motherboard, memory, video card, power supply, has been tested and found to be fully functional. However, you should be wary if this same “peep” is multiple, or even long, or completely absent. Take a look at the instructions for the motherboard, where you will find a complete explanation of certain combinations of sound signals.
Of course, you can immediately take your computer to a service center, but it is much more reasonable and economical to try to check it yourself again. To do this, turn off the computer's power, unplug the power cord, remove the cover, and then straighten the boards on the motherboard connectors, properly tuck in the cables connecting the motherboard to the hard drives, CD/DVD drives, and the wires going from the power supply to the drives and other devices. Be sure to check the external connectors that connect to the monitor, keyboard, mouse, and so on. After this, many of the troubles caused by poor contact will disappear without a trace.
Don't forget to check all the fans located in the case. They must be clean and in good working order. A fan filled with dust loses its ability to properly cool the equipment for which it is responsible. This can lead to equipment overheating, temporary shutdown and failure. Therefore, regularly clean and vacuum your computer fans, including the outer grille on the power supply. Why wait for accidents if this can be avoided in time.
If the computer performs a satisfactory self-test, a message appears on the screen indicating that an important system file is damaged or missing. This is much more serious, and means that either the hard drive or one of the system boot components (master boot record, boot loader files, or the boot sector of this partition, etc.) is faulty. You can restore the boot area using the recovery console using the fixmbr and fixboot commands.
If the boot system is working properly, but the bootloader does not see Windows system files, this means that the hard drive itself is faulty. It may be completely inoperative or not making contact with the cables. The information on a faulty disk is often completely destroyed. This happens again due to virus attacks, unlicensed programs or user negligence.
If the hard drive of your computer is completely faulty, then there is nothing you can do, you will have to buy a new one. As a last resort, you can take the old hard drive to a repair shop, where they will try to restore it. If the information on the disk is hopelessly damaged, then you need to reinstall and restore the operating system.
If the download does start at first, but then it ends with an error message or a “blue screen of death”, and safe mode does not help, only reinstallation will help. If you take care to create an emergency recovery disk (ASR) in advance, you will be able to restore your system at the lowest cost.
There can be many reasons why the PC does not turn on or the OS stops loading. However, you should remember that many problems can be eliminated without resorting to the most extreme measures, that is, repairs in special services.
The first step is to establish the cause of the malfunction. If the situation is such that the computer turns on, but then the operating system (OS) itself does not load, then naturally you need to dig towards the same OS.
And if the situation is that the computer does not even turn on at all, that is, it shows absolutely no signs of life, then the situation can be much worse.
A few recommendations on what to do if your computer won’t boot!
For the first case (when the computer turns on, but the OS itself does not boot).
Here, as a rule, there is a problem with system files, either they are damaged or completely lost. Try the tips below, all tips are for Windows XP:
- Use the “Load last known known configuration (with working parameters)” option. You can use it as follows: after turning on the computer, press the F8 key, a window will appear, and in it select the above-mentioned menu item.
- Enter safe mode and try to restore the computer to its previous state. To do this, when booting the computer, press the F8 key (as in the previous paragraph), select “Safe Mode”, if the system boots, go to the following path: Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> System Restore. And following the wizard's prompts, try to restore an earlier working system.
- If the previous methods did not help, then I suggest you familiarize yourself with another option. This option will return your computer to working order with a 99% probability. What do we have to do? You just need to update the old system. To do this, you will need a boot disk with Windows XP. Insert the disc into the DVD-ROM, reboot, it should boot from the CD, for this you need to set the appropriate item in the BIOS, or you can call up the boot option menu with the F12 key when booting the PC and select boot from CD/DVD-ROM, but This method may not be suitable for everyone.
After booting from the CD, select "Install Windows XP" following the prompts. When a window appears notifying you that a previously installed OS has been found, press the R key. This way, the Windows installer will update the existing copy. Wait until it finishes and try to boot normally.
For the second case (when the computer does not turn on at all).
In fact, there can be a lot of reasons for this, and it can sometimes be very difficult to help in absentia in this case. And, as a rule, the reason is a malfunction of some device (motherboard, power supply, RAM, etc.). At home, especially for an inexperienced user, there is simply no way to check the functionality of a device by replacing it with a known working one. But there is a way out, although not 100%.
First, try resetting the BIOS. To do this, you need to remove the battery for a few minutes. Or close the jumper contacts to reset the BIOS. Look for a jumper next to the battery labeled Clear CMOS (possible designations: CCMOS, CL_CMOS, Clear RTC, CRTC, CLRTC, CL_RTC). If it doesn't help, read on.
Second. It is necessary to disconnect ALL devices on the computer, leaving only the motherboard connected. That is, we take out the video card, all RAM slots, disconnect the hard drive and DVD-ROM from the power supply, if there are additional devices (internal modem, sound card, etc.) we take them out, leaving only the motherboard connected to the power supply.
And now we try to turn on the computer, if it turns on, then the problem is in one of the disabled devices. Turn off the computer and try ALTERNATELY connect devices, checking the computer for functionality. First, connect the most important devices (video card, hard drive, RAM), and then the secondary ones.
Thus, if, when installing a device, the computer stops turning on, you can independently determine the faulty device. If the computer does not turn on with one motherboard, then the problem is either with the motherboard itself or with the power supply.