Paul -
Just saw your post, let me offer you some free help from thirty years of providing support. Lots of good info in the replies and information.
What you describing is known as a POST (Power On Self Test) failure.
So properly diagnose the specific problem, start by unplugging power then disconnect everything from the motherboard that isn’t necessary for booting. That includes the hard drive(s), Optical (CD/DVD) drives, any USB devices (except the keyboard), including the mouse (it’s not needed for booting), any daughter cards (graphics, audio, whatever is installed the expansion slot), case fans, etc. Disconnect case fans, but keep the CPU fan connected. Remove all but one memory module (preferably in the first slot), check to see if you have a motherboard speaker and connect just the vga video cable.
Before you plug power back in, unplug and replug the power supply connectors into the motherboard. Check that the vga and keyboard are connected and the monitor is turned on.
Power on the computer. Check that CPU fan is turning. Watch to see if the monitor power LED changes color (typically from amber to green or blue). Listen for any beeps from the motherboard speaker (if available). Watch ANYTHING to displays on the monitor. If you see anything at all, start tapping either the DEL or F1 key and see if you can get into the BIOS.
You can personal reply to me with the test results and I’ll be happy to go even deeper if you’re interested.
Yanking stuff and messing around on the mobo at this point is not recommended. The CPU works (Num Lock). Power is good (green). Memory is good (no red).
Yanking cables and unmounting and remounting components on the mobo at this point could easily make things worse. First try checking the simple stuff like video inputs and cables.
This MoBo has a “VGA-SWITCH CARD” in it. Label says “something” must be in that slot. I’m not seeing anything about it in the manual I downloaded.
Will do. I’d not disconnect quite that many things. :-)
If the green power LED on the MoBo is lit, is the PS likely ok? Put another way, does it monitor all PS rails (at least as of where they hit the MoBo?
I must admit, I’ve never been “in” a home pc with a 850 watt power supply!
My ability to pm seems to be blocked. But I did get yours. Thanks.
BTW, other posters indicate the CPU must be working ok, so, unless a last resort, I won’t pull it. If the CPU was bad, I’d almost certainly have to ditch the machine as not practical to go further with... :-(
Heh, or better put than my earlier reply, if the CPU or MB are not working, unless my daughter’s friend has something, this machine is probably history. I might be able to sell the graphics card for a few $$. If the HD works, a 1 TB drive, if only for nighttime backups, would not be bad to have around...