tranquillo

+1 for the velcro wire ties - easily removable if necessary. Using double-sided tape on them can hold them where you put them whilst still being able to undo them.

That basement VP, ordered same psu as I have - OCZ modxtreme modular 600w.

I'm convinced that it's the mobo - not from having the technical knowledge or esp - it's just a gut feeling. Still, I'm working it through logically and I've ordered a psu. I can always sell it on fleabay. That way I don't lose too much. Trusting my instinct though I also ordered some TIM and I've found a supplier for the exact same board should I need it. I have a feeling that graphics card is fried as well. I wouldn't be a very good technician would I? Ah, yes sir, my crystal ball tells me it's................ And, yes, guys, I would love to have a store of spares or know someone who did. You're very lucky in that respect, Tamper.

Thanks, Tamper. From my understanding of pg signal I would agree with you but the meter says "faulty". Are you saying that, if I don't feel adventurous regarding jumping from the +5v then try a psu?

ok guys. here it is......couldn't get hold of my uncle and his meter and the tester arrived so I used it. All voltages are showing within range but the pg signal is reading 995ms and flashing, indicating that it is too high and not good. So it looks like I've got to start (and hopefully finnish) with a new psu.

Lou, I'm impressed. Well done. I've lost 7 pounds this week. If I hadn't been comfort eating during my computer ordeal it may have been more? I haven't cycled so much in a long while. 10 miles a day but I do live near marshland near the sea so it's fairly flat.

Thanks guys. Tamper, thank you for that. Unfortunately my m8 who has the multimeter is away for a week so no go in that direction unless I wait - shame. Had a thought today though - my uncle is in the business of repairing TVs, stereos, DVD players etc. and has been doing so for a good 40 years so I'm guessing that maybe he has a multimeter and knows how to use it. Just a thought. I'll try and get hold of him. If my problem turns out to be the mobo and I get one only to find that the cpu is toast as well it will be a bummer. Apart from the extra expense, if I get a new mobo it will need to be AM3 to suit my cpu, if I then find I need a cpu I will find it difficult to get a AM3 cpu to match the mobo. Hey Ho.

Thank you. Yes, I'm hoping it's the psu but we'll see. Thanks for the great support and advice. I'll keep you posted for sure.

Thanks VP. I did refit the card and checked connections but still no fan. Thanks for the offer of a loan of a card, that's a very kind offer, but I need to get this fixed ASAP as I use it for my business as well as OFF. I've invested in a ATX psu tester which should arrive on Tuesday. If I can determine whether the psu is at fault or not then I can go from there.

OK guys. I stripped everything out and tried starting up with just mobo and cpu. Same symptoms - red and green lights come on, cpu fan spins up, and that's it. Speaker attached but no beeps. I can sense money being spent on a technician here and I can't really afford that right now - not on top of the replacement parts necessary. The plus side is the case is much cleaner inside now. The psu, by the way, is OCX. So not a cheapie. If were to remove the psu is would someone be able to test it in their shop or does it need to in thePC?

As I mentioned earlier, I'm due for a card upgrade so I don't mind too much getting one and trying it. I'm looking to upgrade from a ATI 4830 512mb on the asus board with a Phenom II 550x2 Black Edition cpu 3.4g I think.. Any ideas?

Thanks for that. How do I eliminate that? I have nowhere to attach the monitor if I remove the card. Is it a case of remove the card and listen to the\ beeps to see if it's posting?

Both HDs loaded into an enclosure and plugged into my wife's laptop and everything is fine. Phew. Guess who hasn't been backing-up as often as he should. Next job will be trying the ram and my pci wireless card. Got a mate who's got a multimeter to check psu at some stage too.

Just have to do a bit of work this morning 'till I can get back to the PC. I have red and green lights lit on the board. I'll try the Ram - I've got 2 sticks so removing 1 and then swaping the other in different slots and try again with the other stick? Thanks for the overwhelming support, by the way. Going to get a hard drive enclosure today so I can check out my drives on this laptop.

It's a Asus M3A79-T Deluxe - leather seats as standard.. Going to bed now, speak tomorrow, Thanks all.

Good idea. Is it something a non techie like me can do? I'm OK at building them but troubleshooting them is not my forte.

I'll have to check what is compatible with my Buffalo Firestix ram. If I can list my cpu and ram can anyone here spec me AM2+ mobo?

Bummer indeed Don't think there are too many AM2 socket boards around now and I certainly don't want to replace the cpu if I can help it.

Well, robbed the speaker from my old PC and........NO beeps. Does that mean mobo, cpu, or psu?

I'm not getting any beeps 'cause I don't have a little speaker. Beginning to regret not putting one in when I built it. Lou, Only monitor socket is the Graphics card, so no go with that idea. Siggi, good idea but I haven't got one or know anyone who might have one to try. BB, temp in the room's is fine, if anything it's a little heated at the moment. I think I might have a speaker in my old case in the loft so I'll try to rig that up although it's likely to have a different connector as that PC came as a pair and was delivered by the Ark.

No, Lou, haven't got a spare I can swap in. If I remove it should I not be able to boot up using on-board graphics? I can just about live with a fried G card, if that's what it is,as I was due to upgrade.

Yes, but I don't know if it's fried. Is that the case if the fan isn't working?

I've got 2 HD's both with an OS. I've unplugged each in turn and still no startup. All connections inside seem good and I can hear no clicking from the HDs. Does a graphics card fan work regardless of temp 'cause I've just noticed that it isn't working.

Thanks, but no that didn't work. First thing I did.