This morning we had a power glitch. Now my old computer (which was on at the time) makes all the right noises as if it’s starting up (it’s been slow for a while, but it does wake up) but I get a no input signal on the screen. I’ve tried a different screen. I’ve waited a while in case things are just slower than usual. Does anyone have any other ideas for me to try. I will take it to the geek in Hamilton tomorrow, but should I try anything else first? I’m quite prepared to go for a new desk top, but I was trying not to move from Win10 or lose my Paintshop Pro that I’m really used to using. I have still got the disc for Paintshop, so could probably just ask for that to be installed.

Suggestions?

buffy said:

This morning we had a power glitch. Now my old computer (which was on at the time) makes all the right noises as if it’s starting up (it’s been slow for a while, but it does wake up) but I get a no input signal on the screen. I’ve tried a different screen. I’ve waited a while in case things are just slower than usual. Does anyone have any other ideas for me to try. I will take it to the geek in Hamilton tomorrow, but should I try anything else first? I’m quite prepared to go for a new desk top, but I was trying not to move from Win10 or lose my Paintshop Pro that I’m really used to using. I have still got the disc for Paintshop, so could probably just ask for that to be installed.

Suggestions?

Mind out for the 32bit/64bit dichotomy.

Sounds like the hard drive may have bitten the dust, but more knowledgeable posters may have other suggestions.

buffy said:

This morning we had a power glitch. Now my old computer (which was on at the time) makes all the right noises as if it’s starting up (it’s been slow for a while, but it does wake up) but I get a no input signal on the screen. I’ve tried a different screen. I’ve waited a while in case things are just slower than usual. Does anyone have any other ideas for me to try. I will take it to the geek in Hamilton tomorrow, but should I try anything else first? I’m quite prepared to go for a new desk top, but I was trying not to move from Win10 or lose my Paintshop Pro that I’m really used to using. I have still got the disc for Paintshop, so could probably just ask for that to be installed.

Suggestions?

motherboard could be fried. or RAM. HDD sounds as if it is starting but the MB isn’t getting anything. If you get a new computer just get them to put your old HDD into it that way you’ll have the same set-up as you do now.

The fact that you’re getting no video output, even with a different monitor, suggests that your video card has fried; it could also be your motherboard. If the video is from a card, you could try reseating that, or replacing it if you’ve got a spare. Otherwise, without spares or specialist equipment, you’ll probably have to wait for your geek.

ChrispenEvan said:

buffy said:

This morning we had a power glitch. Now my old computer (which was on at the time) makes all the right noises as if it’s starting up (it’s been slow for a while, but it does wake up) but I get a no input signal on the screen. I’ve tried a different screen. I’ve waited a while in case things are just slower than usual. Does anyone have any other ideas for me to try. I will take it to the geek in Hamilton tomorrow, but should I try anything else first? I’m quite prepared to go for a new desk top, but I was trying not to move from Win10 or lose my Paintshop Pro that I’m really used to using. I have still got the disc for Paintshop, so could probably just ask for that to be installed.

Suggestions?

motherboard could be fried. or RAM. HDD sounds as if it is starting but the MB isn’t getting anything. If you get a new computer just get them to put your old HDD into it that way you’ll have the same set-up as you do now.

Thanks people. Reading around it could be video card, motherboard, several more obscure things. So it will have to go to the geek. From there a decision can be made about overhaul or replacement. I’m not going to drive in to Hamilton now, as I will be going tomorrow anyway. I’ll go and chat with The Man Who Knows About These Things. He will know what the setup he did for Mr buffy was last year, so I might just have to bite the bullet and get a new computer. I am using the one I had at work, so it’s rather old now. It might be better to just go that way anyway. But the fellow is very good and I’m quite happy to take his advice.

btm said:

The fact that you’re getting no video output, even with a different monitor, suggests that your video card has fried; it could also be your motherboard. If the video is from a card, you could try reseating that, or replacing it if you’ve got a spare. Otherwise, without spares or specialist equipment, you’ll probably have to wait for your geek.

I’d imagine it’s most likely integrated video.

Bubblecar said:

btm said:

The fact that you’re getting no video output, even with a different monitor, suggests that your video card has fried; it could also be your motherboard. If the video is from a card, you could try reseating that, or replacing it if you’ve got a spare. Otherwise, without spares or specialist equipment, you’ll probably have to wait for your geek.

I’d imagine it’s most likely integrated video.

It’s no spring chicken. Looks like I bought the computer in 2009.

Wild card entry:

If you have a password set, try turning the computer on, leaving it for a few minutes to make sure it’s ready, then press the Ctrl key on your keyboard (to open the log in box, even though you can’t see it), type in your password, press Enter and wait a few minutes. There’s a remote chance it will just fix itself.

If you don’t have a password, if it boots straight in to windows, turn it on and wait a few minutes. Press the Windows key, then type “notebook” without the quote marks and press Enter.

In both cases, if after pressing Enter you can hear the hard rive doing stuff it means your the computer is still mostly working (Power supply, motherboard, CPU, hard disk) but something is wrong with the display stuff (graphics card or monitor cables). If you don’t hear the hard drive working after doing these things then there’s a good chance the motherboard is fried.

esselte said:

Wild card entry:

If you have a password set, try turning the computer on, leaving it for a few minutes to make sure it’s ready, then press the Ctrl key on your keyboard (to open the log in box, even though you can’t see it), type in your password, press Enter and wait a few minutes. There’s a remote chance it will just fix itself.

If you don’t have a password, if it boots straight in to windows, turn it on and wait a few minutes. Press the Windows key, then type “notebook” without the quote marks and press Enter.

In both cases, if after pressing Enter you can hear the hard rive doing stuff it means your the computer is still mostly working (Power supply, motherboard, CPU, hard disk) but something is wrong with the display stuff (graphics card or monitor cables). If you don’t hear the hard drive working after doing these things then there’s a good chance the motherboard is fried.

Thanks. No password. And I’ve pulled it all apart so I can take it to the geek in the morning. Whatever is wrong, it could do with servicing anyway. And after nearly 10 years, it doesn’t owe me anything. I hope my bookmarks and the photos can be retrieved. Although all the photos are backed up externally anyway. There are quite a few very useful nature bookmarks that I don’t relish having to set again.