Difficult to switch on

[malc8581]

Pc running Windows XP Home edition includes service pack 2 version 2002, was custom built by6 company now out of business. Problem is that the start switch when pressed the pc did not boot, switch off power and switch on again, this had to be done a number of times till the system booted up. Now will not boot up. Tried different Hard drive that I know works, but no boot up. Tried new powerpack no boot up. Chip is AMD and written on it in marker pen is either D950 or 0950. All cooling fans working well. When it was possible to boot up system working ok. Any ideas as what is possibly wrong. And is it possible to take the Hard drive out and use an external HD case to read what is on the drive, or will that be lost?

[Guest Wolfeymole]

This sounds like the original psu died and took the board with it if your saying it's completely dead.

 

Hooking the hard drive to another pc in an enclosure will be no problem Malc.

[Dalo Harkin]

Agree with Wolfey the MOBO could be toast.

When you power the PC on - are any of the lights on the MOBO on?

[malc8581]

The only lights that come on are the power light and the amber working light that comes on full and steady, normally flashing as pc works

[Guest Wolfeymole]

The psu may have a vestige of power left in it to power those lights and that's about all Malc.

[Dalo Harkin]

Tried different Hard drive that I know works, but no boot up. Tried new powerpack no boot up

 

If this is the case in terms of the HDD and the PSU - have you tried any other RAM - another CPU if you know someone that has one, other than that there is not much else it can be.

If your original PSU blew, then the chances are very high that it took either the CPU or the MOBO with it and possibly both if it was a cheap PSU, there is no other way to diagnose the fault unless you swap ALL the components out.