PC Has Stopped Working

[Adywebb]

I need some help to pinpoint the problem:

I was using the PC when the screen froze and unable to use mouse/keyboard etc - tried to enter task manager and unable to do so.

I forced a re-boot , but then I now get no display at all, the green power light on the front of the case does not illuminate, and the red HDD indicator is on continuously, with the master CDRom drive activity light on.

I have opened the case and all the fans are working on the PSU, Graphics, CPU etc, and the power light on the mobo is on - however I cannot feel any activity from the HDD, ie sound or vibration.

I am pointing towards a HDD failure, and was wondering if anyone had any other ideas to isolate the problem i.e. the best way of testing.

Specs:

AOpen AK79D-400VN mobo
Windows XP SP2
AthlonXP 2000+ CPU
XFX GeForce4 Ti4200 AGP
Maxtor DiamondMax Plus9 120gb ATA/133 HDD

All help appreciated - this is my main crunching machine

 

[bodhi]

It could be a number of things mate. I take it you dont get any beeps when it starts? Does it just sit there doing nothing with the fans spinning and lights on?

 

[Adywebb]

No no beeps, just sits with fans spinning and lights on...

 

[Canes Venatici]

Sounds like it could be a HDD failure Ady.

Take it you get no sound / activity what-so-ever from your HDD? - Might be worth checking the connections while you're inside the case. Do you have a spare HDD to try. Then again it could also be the cable from your HDD.

 

[muckshifter]

... and the red HDD indicator is on continuously

HD failed.

Disconect the HD cables and reboot ... if you still get no beep or access to the BIOS, then possible MB failure.

 

[Adywebb]

Mmmmm, done the above Mucks - still no beep/bios access

Wondering now if its the PSU, as the green power light on case doesn't illuminate - I've got an old 300W unbranded jobby lying around somewhere, so I'll give it a go - at the very least it will eliminate another possible cause!

 

[CITech]

No no beeps, just sits with fans spinning and lights on...

A classic case of "the lights are on but nobody's home"!

Sorry Ady, not a fun situation I know

 

[Adywebb]

Ah yes - the sweet smell of success!!

Twas my PSU, so no real harm done - gonna use this unbranded jobbie for a few days until I can get a new one

Thanks Guys!

 

[Canes Venatici]

Good news! - Could've been worse! (Thnkfully it wasn't!)

 

[muckshifter]

oh, good show old bean ...

Never ceases to amuse me how these PSUs just up and die ...

Sorted ...