Computer start problem.

[roofnron]

My son's computer (P4) has just started not to boot. Nothing comes on but an amber light on power switch and green light on motherboard. No fans or anything else will run when I try the power button. I thought it might be the power supply but the new one I put on does the same. I disconnected everything from the motherboard and still nothing.

Is the motherboard fried?

Thanks for any help.

 

[ski]

It's possible that the power-on button assembly may be bad or shorting out.
A quick way to test this is to shut down the computer, turn off the power supply switch, remove the power plug, disconnect the power-on button leads from the MB, reconnect the power plug, turn on the PS switch, and jumper the power-on button leads on the MB with a screwdriver.
If the system boots up, then replace the power-on button assembly.

If that does not work and there are no beeps, then connect just the PS, MB, CPU, case speaker, and power-on button, and place the MB on a piece of cardboard.
If the system beeps, then the MB is shorting out either from a metal standoff, piece of metal behind it, etc.
If there are no beeps, then either the MB or CPU may be bad.

 

[KwicksPCServices]

This is a common problem.
1. Clear BIOS (There should be a clear CMOS jumper someplace on the board.
2. Remove all cards except the video card
3. Remove RAM
4. Unplug everything except the main power to the board.

Try turning it on. If it works, shut down and start connecting components and reinstalling cards, one at a time starting with the RAM.
Restart the computer after each components is installed and each device is plugged back in.... to determine whether there is an internal hardware issue other than the board.

If after step 3 the PC still does not turn on, chances are good that the MB is toast but if possible, try the board in another PC first.

PS. An in-expensive volt meter would have indicated whether the power supply was toast.

 

[ceh4702]

I have used a reset button for the power on button before. The Reset button is often not used much. If you have one you can test it with that button by unplluggin the main power button and then plugging in the reset button it its place.

If you do not like my post feel free to point out your opinion or my errors.