Hello. I've got a problem here that I've been aching to solve. I've tried everything and no luck. The problem is that when I power on my PC, all the fans, hard drives, cdroms, and everything will power on just fine, however, it shows nothing on my monitor. It's like the monitor's getting no signal at all. It all started when the other day my computer blew the power supply during the middle of a game I was playing. The computer just shut off and didn't turn back on. I tested the power supply on 2 other computers and it doesnt work. I just bought it a month ago and now its dead. So to do some testing, I decided to try a couple other power supplies to get my computer functioning. Hmm. Seems there's that problem. Nothing will show up on the monitor. I think maybe when the power supply blew, it screwed up something on the motherboard as well (?) I know it's not the video card because I tried another card and it didnt work either (but it works in the computer I originally jacked it from). It's not the memory because I've tried completely different sticks and brands of memory......and still no luck. I've also unplugged all PCI cards, while leaving only my display adapter (Radeon 8500) plugged in. I've also unplugged all of my hard drives and floppy from the motherboard. Still, the same problem persists. I've also tried clearing the CMOS by using the jumper to set everything to default. I even tried messing around with the jumpers that set the CPU FSB speed......no luck at all. Now I am completely stumped. I've pretty much tried everything I can think of.....with it resulting in nothing but failure. Also, I just had to buy this new motherboard and CPU around a month ago, so I really don't want to waste more money on another one. If anyone has any suggestions at all that could help me with this problem, it would be greatly appreciated.

I hate to say this, but it sounds like you may have lost either your mobo or your CPU. When all else fails, beat the %*#$! out of it!!!

If you can, test any components in that machine in another one. Memory, video, CPU, add in cards. It does sound like you fried other hardware besides the power supply. First thing on your list should be a good surge protector. If you have no means of testing the mentioned components you may be able to take them to a shop for individual testing. If most everything ends up being fried you will have the oportunity to start fresh and build a whole new system.

I agree with the above. It sounds like your motherboard went and took the power supply out with it (or vice versa). The CPU `might' be ok.

I've tested my video card, memory and drives (hard drives and cdroms) in another computer (the one I'm using to type this message), and they seem to work just fine. The only thing I haven't tested on another machine is my sound card and WinFast tv2000 card. So I guess it has to be either the motherboard or CPU. I would test the CPU in another computer, but I'm afraid that it may screw up that computer too, if something is wrong with the CPU as well. I also thought about putting a different CPU in my motherboard to see if the motherboard is fine, but I don't want to risk messing up that CPU as well. :( If all else fails, it looks like I'll have to make yet another trip to Fry's for a new motherboard\CPU. However, I dont have the money for all this. If anyone would recommend a good motherboard then please let me know. I'm not gonna get a cheap one this time (if I do end up getting another motherboard). I want a good one that people have had good experiences with and that will last for a long time. Also, does anyone know of any reasons why the motherboard who just go out all of a sudden? I checked to make sure there wasn't a misplaced screw stuck behind it or anything, so that shouldn't have caused it.

You stated that your power supply blew the other day. A power surge could have caused the problem. No motherboard can necessarily stand up to that. As I said in my last post, your first purchase should be a decent surge protector. Get a brand name power supply in the proper size. In order to help you with other hardware choices you need to give more detail on what the computer will be used for and what your budget might be. What type, speed and size memory do you have that is reusable? Also what video card do you have that works?

I've heard that some power supplies have surge protection built in. Does that really work? If so, I could get one of those. As for my hardware that works, here's what I have: 2 Sticks of PC2100 DDR RAM, 512MB each (1GB total) Radeon 8500 (128MB) WinFast TV2000XP Expert TV Tuner Philips SonicEdge 5.1 Sound Card 60GB Maxtor 7200RPM Hard Drive 80GB IBM 7200RPM Hard Drive 4x Emperex DVD-Burner 52x24x52 CD-Burner I use my computer for a variety of things. I play lots of video games (fay cry, halo, silent hill 1,2,3, etc) and multiplayer games (Star Wars Galaxies, Battlefield 1942, etc). I also do a lot of video editing. I've started that since my brother joined the Polyphonic Spree. Although I'm not too fond of the band's music, I'll record and edit all tv shows he appears on. I'm making a DVD for them as well. Now to get back on track....I also use my PC for various multimedia programs, such as watching DVD's, videos, watching TV, and also photoshop editing. I do web design as well (www.gtavicehq.com) with Dreamweaver and Frontpage. I also run loads of other programs too. So I guess I should say I use my computer for pretty much everything. Now I've been reading a couple reviews on the AMD Ahtlon XP 2500+ Barton CPU and heard it's one of the best, if not the best, of its kind. I'm thinking of getting a CPU and Motherboard combo and that CPU seems to get lots of good ratings. Would you recommend it? Also, since I have PC2100 and the Athlon 2600+ runs at 333MHz FSB, that would create a problem right? Wouldn't I have to run the CPU at a lower speed (set it to lower FSB) in order for it to support the memory? If so, then what is the fastest processor that runs at 266MHz FSB?