I use my computer for online gaming and I left it on while I was asleep.. I do this on a regular basis.. And EVERY morning when I wake up to check on my computer, my Uncle comes down and turns it off... Not manually but by holding in the power button... I have told him many times not to do this and it appears this one is the fatal one, hehe. Ok here is the problem.. I turn it on, hear a couple of buzzing noises, the light on it is green, monitor won't display anything. All the plugs are in a surge protector, I checked those they seem fine. Didnt smell them to check for anything burnt. I did not try a different outlet as I was short on time this morning. I have been gathering info from people in my family.. They said it was either a fried hard drive, power supply or just the outlet... Thanks for the future help and sorry for the super long post.. Hehe
I am posting this at my moms house so I will not be able to respond w/ an update because I will have to travel back and forth from my house to my moms house.


-Noob

Are you using a 3rd party graphics card or on-board graphics? If you're using a 3rd party GC (Graphics Card), try switching to the on-board (if you have one). If it works, then your GC is bad or the slot is bad, but if not, then it's a different issue. If you have on-board graphics, then in order to enable it, you have to go to BIOS and change the selection. You will also need to go to Device Manager and disable the GC (IF you have one). It's worth a shot and if it doesn't work, then we can figure something else out. If you have any problems with it, we'll be happy to help you out.

*JM*

Without seeing it if the green light comes on and there is noise it proves the power cable is ok, the power supply at least some of it is working. Does the monitor come on with a orange light showing its getting mains?

First remover all the power cables and leave of for 10 mins this sometimes solves it. Turn it back on note does the hd light come on press the cd/dvd does this get power, can you here or feel the hd spinning.

If its yes to all these and there is nothing on the screen but an orange light it suggests the video card. You could take it out and re seat it or try another one if you have one, does it have a onboard video card as some dells have the on board and another better one. If that is the case take out the video and use the other one.

Powering it off shouldn't cause to much trouble as windows often controls the shut down from the power button

Yes the light on the monitor is orange. I can open the CD/Dvd thing. I am using the default Video Card that came w/ the computer. I will provide an update when I am back at my house. Thanks for the help so far guys.

Ok.. I took my computer to Staples and BestBuy.. They both told me the exact same thing and its not good news... They don't know what the problem is.. without running a diagnostic scan on it.. Which is $70. They told me that if its the memory, the least I could possibly spent is $250-300 (not including the scan) because I would need 2 memory sticks.. If it was the hard drive.. thats minimum of $80. And at this point.. the computer is so outdated i'm just going to go out and get a new one... unless you guys can give me a 100% answer on what is causing this then I will go get that and maybe even a new computer so.. Thanks again.

I fit was memory it would beep when you turn it on, how can they scan a pc that wont work? The hard drive wouldnt stop the screen coming on. The only thing that stops the screen coming on is the video card or a dead board. A cheap and nasty video card shouldnt be very much do you have any friends that may lend you one to test it

Do you require any more help with this problem?