Davidh373: I didn't even consider that the graphics card could be an issue. I will have to give that a shot, I do have another video card I can test with to eliminate it as the point of failure.
mfenn & westom: I realize that surge protectors are not the wisest investment in terms of actual protection, but I figure that it's better than nothing. What is the alternative? A UPS? Regardless, from what I've heard and read, any actual power surge is not going to be prevented by using a consumer marketed surge protector.
westom: I appreciate the response, but I don't appreciate the ascerbic manner in which it was delivered. Or perhaps I'm just being overtly sensitive.
A power strip protector that costs $150 is equivalent to the protector circuit also selling for $7 in the grocery store. Or read its numeric specs to learn it does not even claim to protect from typically destructive surges. Read its numbers to discover it is only near zero protection.
Again, I have heard this argument, but I imagine it's better than nothing. Also, as you suggest, both accomplish the same task. The only difference is price.
Your computer does not power on. What controls power on? What monitors the power switch? What keeps a CPU from executing even the BIOS (CMOS) until the controller decides to let the CPU execute? What is not affected by memory? A power controller. One part of the power supply system. Anyone who knows how a computer works would not waste time with those other suspects.
You make it sound as though I consider myself a expert. I never made such a claim. What I DO know, however, is that I did not say that the computer doesn't power on, I said that it will not POST. I have heard of a computer not POSTing due to faulty memory, thus I checked the memory. I have also heard of this being caused by a faulty power supply, and so I focused on that next. Finally, if I'm not mistaken, the power button on the case is connected to the motherboard, which is in turn connected to the PSU. Considering that, and the fact that my friend's functioning power supply did not fix the problem, I gather this is enough evidence to rule out a problem there.
A multimeter (ie from Kmart or Wal-Mart) and one minute means numbers from seven wires. Either know what has failed before disconnecting even one wire. Or you post those numbers here to learn what is suspect or exonerated.
One minute, considering you know what you are doing. I don't have a multimeter, and I don't know what parts of the board, or connections I would be testing. I would have to consult a guide on how to do this. In the time it would take to go to the store, buy the device, as well as find and read a reliable guide on how to do this, I could have already installed and tested the system with a working alternative PSU. Hell, I would probably even have time left over to watch the newest episode of the Jersey Shore.
I am not a computer tech. This knowledge is literally worthless to me, bar personal interest, especially when there are cheaper, and less time-consuming alternatives. I somewhat understand your concern, but it's not like I'm wasting your or other users' time. Regardless of the method I use to test the device, the result ends up being the same. I acknowledge that there is a slim possiblity that both PSUs could be defective.
Either learn what has failed (and why)? Or use wild speculation to keep replacing parts until something works (and learn nothing). Those are your two choices.
Either buy or borrow that meter and follow simple directions. Then have an immediate solution and learn something. Or replace perfectly good parts until something works. Decide which you want to do.
I outlined my entire thought process in my original post; I wouldn't consider this wild speculation. Also, consider I did use a multimeter and knew how to test all the pins/connections. What happens when I find out that my power supply is working properly? What's to prevent wild speculation at that point?
Your post assumes that I understand everything involved in troubleshooting my problem. If I did, why would I be posting here? How do I go about learning what has failed (and why) without knowing where to start? Your comment doesn't make any sense. I am simply looking for a solution, not to be chastised for my meagre level of technical understanding.
Based on your comment, what would I expect of my doctor when asking why I am experiencing chest pains? Is he going to point to the door and tell me to figure out what went wrong? Finally, in reference to following "simple directions," I don't even know what you are referencing.
So, back to square one.