Which component is most likely to have failed?

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Vileshade

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Recently tried to boot up my computer which hadn't been used for around 8 months. Last time I used it I remember there was an error message so it wouldn't boot, but I leave it since I was about to move for work and couldn't bring it. Now when I try to boot it I don't get anything displaying on the screen at all. The DRAM LED on the motherboard flashed sometimes when I started it, but after taking the RAM sticks out an putting them back in that stopped. I also did try booting with each of the RAM sticks one at a time and it changed nothing. Now when I try to boot it just repeatedly restarts itself after varying amounts of time, usually between 10 seconds and 5 minutes, but nothing shows on the display. Apart from at one point it did boot up and said there was a new CPU detected. Then it sent to BIOS, everything looked fine so I exited it and the PC just restarted again. I've tried taking out the GPU and booting with the HDMI plugged straight into the motherboard but that didn't change anything either. I've also removed the CMOS battery, cleaned it with a cloth and replaced it. The components were all good quality when they were bought but they're pretty old now, so I'm not sure which is the most likely to have failed. Just hoping someone can make a suggestion on any other checks I can do or if not then just which part is most likely to be the issue so I can replace that first. I will be replacing most of the parts in the next couple of months anyway but I'd just prefer to replace the broken part first so the computer is working as soon as possible. I don't have a second computer to test the parts individually in which I know would be the best way to work it out. Thanks in advance for any help!

Edit: CMOS Battery Changed - still the same issue
 
Solution
Danra
Just prior to the computer having issues, what is the last thing you upgraded, either hardware or software. Often an upgrade can cause problems, such as a video card drawing too much power or the motherboard may need a new BIOS revision. In the latter case simply reinstall the old video card until you get the problem resolved. Some motherboards need a new BIOS revision in order to use a new video card, without that the screen will be black. Although, the latter does not seem to be the case because you said nothing about a new video card and on board video produced no signal [hopefully you did not disable on board video in BIOS].

Before using on board video make sure the computer is turned off, the switch on the PSU or surge...
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Vileshade

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CMOS Battery has now been replaced but I still have the same problem. It doesn't restart all the time like it did before so I guess it did need replacing though. But still 99% of the time when I start it up nothing displays on the monitor an no power seems to go to any of the USB ports (the keyboard LEDs stay off). When it does power up properly, which happened once today, it tells me to go to the BIOS settings then when do everything looks fine, it recognises the RAM and CPU and HDD. But if I try to boot using the HDD I get told to restart and insert a bootable device. I've now put in a USB stick which I an boot from just in case I ever get to that stage again but so far it has gone back to not displaying anything at all again. I assume this means the HDD needs replacing, which I kind of assumed since it's old, but does there still need to be something else wrong to be causing it to not display anything the majority of the time?
 
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Vileshade

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As I mentioned I don't have access to any other computers at the moment so trying it will mean buying the part, so do you think that's the most likely cause or does anyone know of anything else I can try first? My Current PSU is a Corsair TX750m but it's pretty old, around 4 years I think

 
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Vileshade

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It's going to be a while until I'm able to do that honestly so I was just asking if there was anything else I could check. The computer will sometimes run continuously though and not stop at all, but it just doesn't display anything on the screen, so is it likely that it could still be a psu issue if that happens?

 
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Vileshade

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Okay well if a PSU tester is useless then I'm at the point where I just need to buy new components. I'm going to assume it isn't the RAM, since I've tried with one at a time and both at them failing at once is unlikely. I'm also going to assume it's no an issue with the HDD since the monitor would still display something if that was the only issue (the no bootable device screen). The motherboard has integrated graphics which I have tried using so I can also rule out buying a new GPU. So what's left is the PSU, CPU or the motherboard itself. Does anyone extra input for which of those is most likely or if any can be ruled out? Otherwise I'll just buy the cheapest first and work through like that. Thanks
 
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Vileshade

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I've already tried it with just the psu, motherboard, processor and each RAM stick one at a time so I think that's the minimum I can try
 
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Vileshade

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Already reseated the CPU a couple of times, no use. I hadn't used the PC since the end of January, but before that it had been working for a few years. The last time I used it I got an error message whenever I tried to boot it, i think it was something to do with the GPU, but I knew I wouldn't be able to use i for ages so I didn't look into it at the time. At the moment when I boot the PC most of the time it'll restart a few times and then just run continuously after that, but still not display anything on the monitor. The monitor recognises the cable is connected but says no signal. I think i'll try a motherboard next, need to upgrade anyway so maybe a z270-a or something. Is there a chance I'll damage the motherboard though if it turns out the issue is with the CPU? Is so I'll make sure I can replace both at the same time
 
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Danra

Danra

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Just prior to the computer having issues, what is the last thing you upgraded, either hardware or software. Often an upgrade can cause problems, such as a video card drawing too much power or the motherboard may need a new BIOS revision. In the latter case simply reinstall the old video card until you get the problem resolved. Some motherboards need a new BIOS revision in order to use a new video card, without that the screen will be black. Although, the latter does not seem to be the case because you said nothing about a new video card and on board video produced no signal [hopefully you did not disable on board video in BIOS].

Before using on board video make sure the computer is turned off, the switch on the PSU or surge protector is turned off [if you have neither, unplug the computer], remove the video card then plug the video cable into the on board video connector. If you did not tamper with it the BIOS should detect no third party video card and automatically switch to on board video when you restore power and turn the computer on.

I did not read all of the replies. Do the free things first. Some motherboards use beep codes and some use a digital readout located on the motherboard. For either check the motherboard manual to determine if anything is being reported as faulty. If you cannot find codes in your motherboard manual go online and search for beep codes, include the motherboard manufacturer and model in the search engine.

Beep codes come from a very small speaker on most motherboards. If you hear no beeps check the box the computer or motherboard came in, a few motherboards require a small speaker to be installed manually and are included, you simply have to install it.

A computer constantly rebooting is very often a failing power supply. Most power supplies have hardware that detects if the PSU can supply enough power, if it cannot, the PSU reboots the computer.

Sometimes constant rebooting can be caused by Reboot Computer issues that are caused by improperly configured system files. Reboot Computer usually happen when the computer's registry system overloads with to much data, or when certain system files become missing or broken. However, that has nothing to do with the screen not displaying.

You said you unplugged the video cable and plugged it into the on board video, however you did not mention if you unplugged the cable at the monitor. Over time oxidation or because of two different types, metal changes cause a film to develop over the metal. Removing and reinstalling three times usually removes that.

Another factor is the cable itself, sometimes they fail.

There are many things that can cause constant reboots and fewer that causes video loss, however, to fully test a system I need it in my hands and therefore suggest you take your computer to a good repair shop for diagnosis and a fix if you cannot find the problem on your own.

If the computer is too old to spend $200 or so on diagnostics at a repair shop save your money and buy or build a new one.

Let me know what you discover or if you have other thoughts regarding your computer problems.
 
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