Member Avatar for davyen

When I try to start my wife's machine, power supply lights come on, fans run, but no video, no audio, no lights on the keyboard. Sounds like the hard drive starts ok. I have checked all connections and reset the CMOS. What should I try next? My wife is NOT a patient woman, and her temper is awesome. Thanks for any help!

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Dani AI

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Good call by and well done for the followup. When a PC powers, fans spin, and drives try to start but there is no video, no keyboard activity and no POST beeps, the fault is usually something that prevents the motherboard from completing POST. Bad or intermittent DIMM contacts are one of the most common and easiest-to-fix causes, so reseating memory often cures it.

Try this focused checklist before pulling parts or buying replacements:

  • Power down, unplug mains and discharge residual power by holding the power button for a few seconds. Ground yourself.
  • Remove all memory modules. Inspect the gold contacts and the DIMM slots for debris, bent pins or corrosion.
  • Clean contacts gently (90%+ isopropyl on a lint-free cloth) and reinsert firmly until both latches click.
  • Test with a single known-good module in the primary slot. Boot with minimum hardware (CPU, one stick, onboard video, PSU) to force POST.
  • If no POST, swap modules and try other slots one at a time. Attach a system speaker for beep codes if the board supports it.
  • Inspect the board for bulging capacitors, scorch marks or loose power connectors. If POST still fails, verify PSU voltages or try a known-good PSU.

Cautions: avoid static discharge, do not force modules, and keep track of changes. If the machine boots, run memory stress tests (Memtest86 or similar) and plan to replace any suspect DIMMs rather than rely on intermittent fixes.

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Member Avatar for disophisis

When you say you've checked connections, does this include the seat of the memory and the video card? or is the video integrated.

The monitor you're using is a tested working unit, correct?

Member Avatar for davyen

Monitor is good, video is integrated. Will check memory tonight [thanks!]. Still wondering why no lights on the keyboard -- they used to flash during first part of boot, then Num Lock came on. No beep codes either.

Member Avatar for davyen

Memory seemed to be in there tight, all latched up. Just for fun, I took both modules out and put them back in. Started right up! No further problems. Thank you, thank you, thank you!

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