difficulty with eMachines computer

I just picked up an eMachines t1742 for $50...thought it was a steal. Turns out there's a problem. It'll start to boot just fine displaying the Windows startup screen then it just stops. Screen goes out, CPU fan stops running, and I get nothing. PSU fan still runs and HDD keeps spinning but quits reading. Went bare bones, managed to boot into BIOS then it all shut down again after about 10 seconds. Cleared CMOS still same prob. I'm really more used to Macintosh systems so I don't really know what else to do. If anyone can tell what the problem might be it would be much appreciated.

The problem could be one of several things. First I would check the cpu. It seems like an old system so I would definately re-seat the cpu with new paste. Then I would check the RAM. If it only has 128MHz it's likely one stick. Try replacing it with either a new one or a spare one to see if that's the problem. Look in the BIOS to confirm the RAM is registering. Next I would look into the PSU. Confirm that it's switch on the back is set to 110v as opposed to 230v (assuming it has such a switch). PSU's go bad, especially on a machine that old and especially on a commercially made comp. See if replacing the psu helps. Evidently you're going to have to part with some money to figure this out, so that $50 didn't turn out to be such a steal. Sorry Ash!

Thanks for the reply. I forgot to mention I tried a new PSU already. Same trouble. I'll check the CPU though. As for checking BIOS settings I can't do that since the BIOS screen won't stay up for more than a few seconds. However, the boot screen does show the RAM so I dont guess that's the prob...I suppose more trial and error is in order. Thanks again.

Checked my CPU. When I pulled the heatsink the CPU came right out on it. CPU is stuck to the heatsink pretty good. Not sure I can get it off. How bad is this? Would the CPU coming out without moving the release lever damage the socket? Is the fact that the CPU is stuck to the heatsink a bad sign? Iwould think if my CPU was bad I would get a Windows boot screen at all. Any thoughts?

I wasn't suggesting a bad cpu. I was more refering to a heat problem in the cpu. If it came out with the heatsink it's not a good thing, but it doesn't mean it's toast. Try to pry the cpu free of the heatsink with a razor blade such as an exacto knife. Apply pressure ONLY towards the heatsink. It's stuck because of dried out paste. Be careful not to dig too much into the cpu if possible. Once freed, clean both the cpu and heatsink with either 100% alcohol or isopropyl alcohol. I use an electronic solvent available at radio shack. Clean both surfaces thoroughly. Install the cpu by lifting the locking lever and dropping the cpu in and locking it down. Then apply a dab of new thermal paste to the cpu core and spread it thin with the edge of a credit card. Then install the heatsink. If the cpu was bad you wouldn't even get a post. ASUS P5GD1 P-4 3.4 SOCKET 775 1G Corsaire PC400 ABIT RX600SE 256MB PCI-E

I forgot to mention, that cely is most likely an FC-PGA socket 370. The locking mechanism in that type only sqeezes the pins to ensure contact. It can be pulled out without damage to the socket. Most likely will damage the pins on the cpu so make sure that didn't happen. Also, you will notice two corners that end at an angle on the cpu. These coresponde to the pin layout on the socket. It will only go in one way so don't force it. As for the RAM, just because it shows up in BIOS does not mean it's good. It's still a possibilty to look into. ASUS P5GD1 P-4 3.4 SOCKET 775 1G Corsaire PC400 ABIT RX600SE 256MB PCI-E

Actually the socket is a mPGA 478. Make any difference? The CPU pins look good and I was able to remove it from the heatsink with a razor blade. The thermal paste was only dry around the edges so scraping it away allowed me to pry the heatsink and CPU apart with very little effort. I'll get some thermal paste from Radio Shack tomorrow and see what I can do. Thank you for your input.