Hi, First of all here are the specs of my desktop PC that seems to have "died" yesterday: --- Abit KV7 AMD AthlonXP 2500+ 1GB DDR PC3200 RAM Sapphire Radeon 9600XT Creative XtremeGamer 120GB SATA Western Digital --- Anyways, yesterday was a pretty hot day, and while I was using my computer at noon, the computer started to make beep sounds (2-pitched, one low and one high, repeating). I assumed that it was overheating, so I immediately shut it down. That PC was known to have heating issues, but I really wanted to use it to edit an important document. So I placed it on top of an AC, where the temperature of the case dropped. Then I turned the PC back on (this interval of time was about 10-15 minutes). After I printed my revised document, I left. In the afternoon when I got home, I realized my computer was turned off, and I clearly remembered leaving it on earlier. When I pressed the power button however, nothing happened. Not even a beep. I panicked, so I restarted the PSU, and pressed on the power button again, the blue LEDs on my case lit up and the back case fans (2 80mm) slightly budged, both happening for literally a split second, then everything stopped again. When I pressed the power button again, nothing happened simply (not even the blue LEDs or the fans reacted to it). I thought my PSU was burnt, so I decided to switch it for an older PSU that was working for sure. However, it did not make a difference. So now, my assumptions are some part of the computer probably fried. Either that, or maybe some component came loose, and needs reseating (I plan on doing this to check first). However, I am unsure of how to approach this problem. My files in this computer are extremely important (with many medical records). However I doubt my HDD fried, or was damaged in any way. It is an SATA drive. I have another PC that is SATA-II, with a 320GB SATA-II drive on already. Having heard from other forums that it is possible to use an SATA drive on an SATA controller, I plan to right now removing the SATA-II HDD from my other computer (which is an HP A6110N, please use Google if you need specs), and putting this SATA drive (120GB) in. However having mentioned that the files in this drive are very important, I want to confirm that this is 100% doable and will cause no harm or effect and will return to normal after I backed up my files from the SATA drive, disconnect it, and then finally re-attach my SATA-II drive. In conclusion, my two questions are: 1) How do I approach the problems in my "dead" computer, and what could I do to fix it? 2) Will my other PC return to normal 100% if I temporary replace its SATA-II (actually on the website it says SATA 3G but people told me it's equivilant to SATA-II) drive with my SATA drive, back up the files there, then put back the original hard drive? Sorry for having to read all that, I am very worried and I would greatly appreciate any help that I can get! Thank you. -Tony

First off, I am not sure what to tell you is wrong with the dead computer. But, you cannot put the HD from the dead computer into another computer and expect it to boot up. So, the best way to get to your files is to hook up the HD from the dead computer via an external USB enclosure to the computer that is working. Good Luck Smitty

You should have an open SATA port on the OTHER computer. Just connect the 120 to a open SATA port and go into disk management to take ownership of the files. Look at the link below to learn how to take ownership of files or folders. I can't understand why people DO NOT backup important files. http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308421

"That PC was known to have heating issues" Well, why didn't you address the "heating issues" then? It could be dust buildup, failing fan, HSF installed backwards (fairly common mistake with a socket A), too much thermal paste, too little paste, no paste, inadequate case cooling or poorly configured fans, tower in an enclosure with little or no airflow, etc. Since you apparently moved the case, check all connections like you mentioned. The high/low siren *may* mean an overheating condition, but it could also mean a failed CPU...or if the CPU cooling fan is unplugged or seized up, the BIOS may be shutting down immediately after NOT receiving an RPM signal from the fan.

Thank you everyone, I have now recovered all of my data! I am very relieved, however my computer's still not turning on. So far I have cleaned every part of my computer (fans, etc.). I think it's quite likely that my CPU is causing the problem, like jam has said in the post above. However I am sure that the CPU fan is properly installed and working. By the way, this computer is 4 years old, and the overheating issues only occur in the summer when the room temperature is above average. Everything was properly installed, eg. the paste and the HSF.