How Do You Troubleshoot Computer Startup Problems?
• Check to ensure the power cord is plugged in (at both ends) • Making sure that the power is turned off and you are grounded, open the case and check that the button is going to the right two pins on the motherboard. Check the case-front pin configuration with the documentation that came with your motherboard. • If this doesn’t work, try unplugging it for a few minutes and letting it sit. Sometimes this can help, though it indicates a problem with your power supply. Find a replacement immediately. • Check whether the CPU fan spins when you turn the PC on. To do so, put your ear to the case of the CPU. If you hear a humming noise, it almost certainly indicates that the fan is running. If, for some reason, the fan is not running, your CPU will overheat and the computer will refuse to turn on until the CPU cools down. If you smell acrid smoke, some component of your computer (mostly your motherboard) might have burnt out. It will need to be replaced. • Try unplugging everything from the
