I just returned from 3 months overseas to find that my computer won't turn on. It's a Pentium III (not that old) and it's plugged into a surge protector along with my monitor and stereo. Both the monitor and stereo are working fine. Also the temperature where it's located was kept at a minimum of 60 degrees fahrenheit. There's one other computer nearby and it's also working fine. The other people who live here have not noticed any power surges while I've been away either.

After reading some posts on this site I guess it could be one of the following:

1) The power supply is busted
2) The motherboard is fried
3) The CMOS battery is dead

However I would think that if the CMOS battery is dead the machine would at least power up. I'm not getting any lights, beeps or anything. Not even the fan. My only other option is to find a voltage tester and see if I'm getting any power through the machine but I don't have one and will have to try and find one from somewhere.

Is there any other way that I can try and figure out what the problem is? If I could figure out if it's a power supply problem that would be somewhat easy to fix. I could probably just get a new case. If it's the motherboard then that would be a much bigger problem.

Or maybe it could be something else? If anyone has any advice I'd really really appreciate it.

Thanks!

Atul

I would unplug the power cord from the back of the pc and then plug it back in, or try another electrical outlet, and make sure that the little on/off switch on the power supply (on the back of the pc) is turned on.

It's also possible that the surge protector is shot. I had one go kaput after a power surge and had to replace it. Just because the other residents didn't notice, doesn't mean there were no surges.

But all the other devices plugged into the surge protector are working and i've tried other power cables, other sockets, and the little switch on the back.

I'm stuck! Any other ideas?

Ya got me.

what kind of power switch is it? a manual one or one of the electronic connector types. in other words.. do yuo have to push the button in a ways to get it to click, or do you just barely have to touch it to power up sys?
if you can, take off the faceplate and look at the switch. if it doesn't have a post on it and only a couple of copper connectors, clean the copper connectors with a pencil erasure. If it has a post, try the following (i would try them anyway)

also, unplug power cable from sys for about 30 seconds. then try plugging it back in

also, try using the power cable from the computer that is working.

dust can settle quickly, espcially around the power supply, inas electricity attracts dust.

Well I've tried a number of things and I guess the power supply must be shot. Most people I ask say that if the motherboard was shot then at least the fan would run so hopefully it's just the power supply.

Thanks for all your help everyone!