dead PC

[slimshady21]

Hello everybody.
My friend has a problem with his PC - when he turns it on there is an error message displyed on the screen, "no signal".
Basically i think the problem is either in the CPU or MB or power supply. but how exactly can i check those components and decide which causes the problem?
I have done some searching in google and saw that this problem is usually caused by bad power supply, but how can i be sure? i have another (working) computer which i can take the power supply from and switch between them, but im afraid i will mess it up, so i thought i can just disconnect some of the working PC's power supply's cables, and connect them to the components in the bad PC, you think it will work? there is no problem with doing it? can the working pc be damaged if i do it?

thanks.

 

[TestedAcorn]

Make sure you have the dvi/vga cables securely in place and tight connecting to the video card and monitor. If it isn't that, it's probably a bad psu.

 

[skreet]

If you are using an add-on video card, your motherboard may also have video on it.

Try removing the Add-on card and using the on-board video adapter. If this works, I would suspect the video card first, and the power supply second.

It's also important to note that any device could cause this, no matter how 'unrelated' it seems. Check that the RAM is inserted tightly, check the hard disk cables. If all of this seems tight, try removing one device's cables at a night, and booting it. Shut down and repeat. If it works then you know the last thing you removed may be to blame.

Let us know how it works out.

 

[jackschmittusa]

You also neglected to say whether the computer and monitor ever worked. Changed any parts lately? Power outage? Lighting strikes nearby?

Yes, you can safely connect a different psu to the rig, assuming it is of sufficient capacity and has the proper connectors.

The first test should be to disconnect all of the drives, remove all cards except the vid, and all but one stick of ram (if built in video, leave a stick in the first ram slot), then try starting.

 

[QUOTH]

ANy luck? I have a similar problem, but i know my onboard vga dosen't work