Dread Lörd Kaolian wrote:
Specifically what type of noise was it making? Also, when you turn the computer on, can you see any video at all, or is it just black from start to power off?
It was, at the time of original crisis, making clicky noises. The screen went all lines and such and then black. I couldn't do anything with it (this was about 7months ago).
The computer came with a little graphics card - 128MB or something (I said video card before, but meant graphics, is there a big difference?), but I added the 512MB one. That added one is supposedly what caused the problem, although, like I said, it all ran great for a year. Once it borked on me, I just removed that card and have been computing on the one small one that came with the machine ever since.
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If it is only black, no video ever, that does not mean a video card necessarily. It could also be the processor or the board, or the power supply. If it gets into BIos then freezes shortly after startup, that could be a HDD. but usually afailed hdd will show up as a "non system boot disk" type error. It's probably not the Ram because the system would at least start the POST spinup.
Upon install of the new card, I get nothing. The computer looks and sounds like it is running ok (there are no sparks or screams, fans are going, etc), but it's not saying anything at all to my monitor.
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If you have prefferrablky the origional video card that came with the origional system, put that back in and see if it boots.
yes, the original is still in there working fine.
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If it still doesn't boot, video card isn't likely the problem. SO now you need to do some detective work with the side of the case off. First, does it have a processor fan spinning when it is on? If yes, continue. if no, you have a big problem.
If the processor fan spins up, next listen for HDD noises. you should hear a faint clicking and whirring sound as windows starts up. If you here a very loud rythmic clicking that sounds like someone turning a deadbolt back and forth several times, then nothing, thats generally a bad sign.
If you have a spun up fan but no HDD activity, likely you aredealing with a failing board, processor or power supply. Swap out the power supply for a new one, since they are relitivly cheap. If that doesn't fix it, consider a motherboard and processor upgrade.
o.0
Ok, I'll investigate some more when I get home tonight. THANKS