[jonesqb182]

I saw an old thread on this problem, but my problem is slightly different. The computer turns on and fans blow and it makes the grinding starting up sound, but never actually starts up. Please help!

[mgfranz]

Grinding?

Sound like a bad hard drive. Do you get anything on your monitor? Does the monitor every switch into a ready mode? (The power light turns from amber to green) No, could be a bad power supply, but that "grinding" sound could be disk platters getting dragged on.

Mark

[jonesqb182]

it's the usual grinding sound a computer makes when it's starting up. The monitor is on standby. I just had it up and running, I moved it so I could hook it up to internet and it won't start. it did this same thing when I started it the first time. I just kept cycling it off and on and it finally worked. The power light doesn't turn green, just amber. When it's up and runnign normally it's green...

[jonesqb182]

I opened the tower and everythign seems to be getting power, but it just won't fully boot up.

[jonesqb182]

I'm wondering about the power supply...is that an expensive fix?

[mgfranz]

I'm concerned about the monitor not going to "ready" mode. Is this a USB monitor or do you plug it into a PCI card? Even without going into the hard drive you should still get POST notification. Ensure the monitor is fully connected, make sure the PCI card didn't come loose.

No beeps or flashing light activity?

Mark

[jonesqb182]

it plugs into teh graphics card. I ensured it's plugged in tightly

[mgfranz]

Since the monitor is not enabling, I suspect the PS ~could~ be at fault, but it sounds odd that just by moving the machine would cause it to go bad.

No POST? (power on self tests)

[telecom69]

So far you haven't determined whether its the monitor or the computer that is faulty,you really need to check by substitution whether the monitor is ok,or it might even be just the monitor cable that is the problem,make sure that is tight in its connections,I dont think it would be faulty,but they can be .... it really does sound like a bad connection to me at the moment anyway ....

[mgfranz]

My thinking is that since the monitor sits in a standby mode teh monitor itself is OK, but you have a point. Trying another monitor will eliminate that.

[Frittmann]

Since the video is not happening, you need to rely on your other senses to diagnose this. Normally a computer will issue a series of beeps from the PC speaker, depending on the type of BIOS. Most issue a single beep for a successful POST test, and often a series of three low tones for a failed POST. What beeps are you hearing when you boot up?

If the computer is failing the POST test, it may be that something has come loose inside the computer when you moved it. Here is a useful list of POST test beep codes for some different machines.