# Computer problem -- won't start, not even a BIOS screen **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Tags:** computer-hardware\ **Created:** [October 26, 2025, 9:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problem-wont-start-not-even-a-bios-screen/1024296 "2025-10-26T09:58:13Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Palooka](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/palooka/32/2902_2.png) [@Palooka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Palooka)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2025, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problem-wont-start-not-even-a-bios-screen/1024296/21 "2025-10-26T16:58:24Z")
I think it’s a dead system board, but have you tried the GPUs in one of the other two x16 PCIe slots? It’s an easy thing to try at least. (Actually I don’t know what this would accomplish if you did the CMOS reset before trying the iGPU.) ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2025, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problem-wont-start-not-even-a-bios-screen/1024296/22 "2025-10-26T17:01:56Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > I really doubt it is the RAM but, as said, it is a really easy thing to try. I have seen RAM that is _almost_ seated correctly cause all sorts of weird problems. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2025, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problem-wont-start-not-even-a-bios-screen/1024296/23 "2025-10-26T17:04:13Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > I have seen RAM that is _almost_ seated correctly cause all sorts of weird problems. Sure but it seems this was working for a long time before this so, presumably, the RAM was properly installed and the way it is locked in doesn’t really allow for it to work loose. But, it is a super easy thing to check so worth the two minutes of effort to be sure. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2025, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problem-wont-start-not-even-a-bios-screen/1024296/24 "2025-10-26T17:06:45Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > Sure but it seems this was working for a long time before this so, presumably, the RAM was properly installed and the way it is locked in doesn’t really allow for it to work loose. I agree with you that in this case it is likely not RAM. But if it is both the onboard and expansion slot (especially if other slots don’t work) then I’m thinking it is CPU and not mobo. ---
**Author:** ![Jophiel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jophiel/32/66_2.png) [@Jophiel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jophiel)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2025, 5:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problem-wont-start-not-even-a-bios-screen/1024296/25 "2025-10-26T17:14:29Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > then I’m thinking it is CPU and not mobo. Quite possibly. In either event, he’d probably be better served with an upgrade to a current platform but I understand that’s not always viable for various reasons (namely money). While I’m not optimistic that a RAM reseat will do the trick, it’s worth the minute it takes to do it. Mainly I’m eliminating common issues that prevent proper booting since the symptoms here are pretty weird. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2025, 5:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problem-wont-start-not-even-a-bios-screen/1024296/26 "2025-10-26T17:30:40Z")
Consider flashing the BIOS with the latest version. Not sure you can do this with the PC in this state but something to consider. **NOTE: There is a chance you can brick your PC (make it forever unusable). This risk is yours, do not get mad at me. Be sure to read ALL info on how to do this for your mobo.** ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2025, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problem-wont-start-not-even-a-bios-screen/1024296/27 "2025-10-26T21:34:12Z")
Do you have any loose wires or cables in there? Sometimes it’s worth disconnecting every cable except what’s strictly necessary to just boot the BIOS (ie only supply power to the mobo and disconnect all drives and USB headers etc.). That would help determine whether it’s indeed a mobo issue, a peripheral, or maybe an electrical fault in the case somewhere that’s triggering a protective circuit refusing to boot. If that works, see if it’s still the same LED or beep code pointing to the VGA. Then try the internal graphics and see if anything at all shows up, even though you don’t have an OS drive attached. If you can reset the mobo and maybe take out the cmos battery (if it has one) try that too. ---
**Author:** ![echoreply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/echoreply/32/3641_2.png) [@echoreply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/echoreply)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2025, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problem-wont-start-not-even-a-bios-screen/1024296/28 "2025-10-26T23:39:14Z")
> [@Reply](#): > > it’s worth disconnecting every cable except what’s strictly necessary to just boot the BIOS (ie only supply power to the mobo and disconnect all drives and USB headers etc.) That’s a good plan, and will isolate the problem to the motherboard or power supply. ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2025, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problem-wont-start-not-even-a-bios-screen/1024296/29 "2025-10-27T09:14:11Z")
I’m sure it’s not the power supply – everything powers on, the fan is going, the motherboard is on, the video card (when it’s plugged in) lights up. I’m not going to do any more troubleshooting – this computer is pretty old anyway – probably 2018? I really appreciate everyone’s help, though! ---
**Author:** ![Reply](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/reply/32/15952_2.png) [@Reply](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reply)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2025, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problem-wont-start-not-even-a-bios-screen/1024296/30 "2025-10-27T19:01:24Z")
Oh well, good excuse for an upgrade! ---
**Author:** ![RitterSport](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rittersport/32/6326_2.png) [@RitterSport](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RitterSport)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2025, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problem-wont-start-not-even-a-bios-screen/1024296/31 "2025-10-27T19:11:24Z")
Exactly! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-problem-wont-start-not-even-a-bios-screen/1024296.md?page=1)