Computer not booting up

[Dave T]

Since Saturday night, my computer gets stuck at the DOS like screen with the "Energy" logo at the top right hand corner. None of the keys seem to work and the everything just seems to stop.

Anyone know what the problem could be?

There were a couple of power cuts the same night, but the machine wasn't switched on at the time. Dont know if thats relevent or not.

[Welshlad]

Are you getting any beeps? Have you reset the CMOS?

[nwftech]

Had one like this a while ago and the CPU had become dislodged.
Maybe worth trying opening up the machine and making sure all the cards, memory and CPU are firmly in the sockets.

[Dave T]

Are you getting any beeps? Have you reset the CMOS?

What is the CMOS?

[Chris Locke]

The CMOS is the BIOS - the 'basic' settings that tell the PC how to run (what speed to run the CPU, what hard disk you've got, etc). You should get a 'Press [F2] to run Setup' or similar, when you see that 'DOS' screen and energy logo, when your PC boots up.

Although not switched on, I presume your PC was still plugged in when you had power cuts - a power surge could still have fried something on your PC.

[Dave T]

None of the keys work at all when that screen comes up. I've tried the F12 for setup, but nothing happens. I hope nothing has fried on it as I only just made the final payment on it last week!

[Chris Locke]

I presume the mouse and keyboard are plugged into the right sockets in the back? I've had PCs which lock on bootup if they're round the wrong way.

Failing that, check your PC manual on how to reset the BIOS. There should be a jumper on the motherboard that you have to 'short'.

[Dave T]

Managed to get this fixed, but I had to call the Support Desk in the end. They said it was likely to be a build up of static and suggested unplugging all the peripherals and then plugging them back in again and switching back on which did the trick.

Thanks for all the suggestions.