There are many possible causes of a computer not booting up. It can be difficult to accurately diagnose the issue without physically inspecting the computer, so here are some general tips to help narrow down what may be causing the problem.
First, make sure that the monitor or display you are using is plugged into both the computer and an electrical outlet, and that it is turned on. If the monitor is off or unplugged, the computer won’t be able to display anything.
If the monitor is on and working properly, check to make sure the power supply is connected to the motherboard, and that the power switch is turned on. If everything appears to be properly connected, but the system still will not turn on, the power supply itself may be failing.
Next, check to make sure all of the internal components are correctly connected and seated in their slots on the motherboard. Your motherboard will likely have at least one CPU slot, several RAM slots, several storage slots, and multiple peripheral slots. Check each of these to ensure that all of the components are seated properly and are not loose. Loose components can cause the computer to fail to boot.
If all of the internal components appear to be firmly seated, it may be worth checking the BIOS settings. The BIOS, or Basic Input Output System, controls the hardware settings for the computer. Fluctuations in voltage or temperature, changes in system components, or simply aging hardware can cause the BIOS settings to become out of date and need to be updated. Once the BIOS settings are updated, the system should be able to boot normally.
In some cases, the problem may be due to a software fault. Make sure the operating system is properly installed, and that the hard drive is formatted correctly. Additionally, if the system is dual-booting, make sure the boot loader is properly configured. If the system is still not booting, it may be worth running a diagnostic tool such as MemTest86 to check for errors in RAM, or a disk repair program like SpinRite to check for errors in the hard drive.
If none of these solutions work, the problem may be due to a faulty piece of hardware. To begin troubleshooting hardware issues, try removing or replacing one component at a time, starting with the RAM or processor, and trying to boot the system again. If the problem persists, take the computer to a professional for further diagnosis.
In summary, the most common causes of a computer not booting up are faulty or disconnected components, outdated BIOS settings, software faults, or malfunctioning hardware. Try troubleshooting the issue by checking all of the components, updating the BIOS settings, and running diagnostic tools. If none of these solutions work, the computer may need to be taken to a professional for further diagnosis.