What is most likely wrong with this computer?

This is a friends desktop (I don't have access to it right now.)

At first the display would randomly cut out (although the PC was still on.) Had to be switched off and on again to get it working.

Then it stopped displaying anything at all (although the light is still on on the PC if you switch it on.)

What is most likey wrong with it and what can I rule out?

HDD failure? (or would that at least get you to the bios)

CPU fried? (can't see why... PC was running cool and I replaced and cleaned the heatsink and added new thermal paste 3 weeks prior to problems.)

PSU? (but then it wouldn't turn on.. right?)

Motherboard?

Video card is integrated.

Thanks.

If its just a display cutting out and everything else is working its definately the onboard video or the monitor. Hook it up to something else to rule it out. If it still does it, try a different video card. Start with the basics

If its just a display cutting out and everything else is working its definately the onboard video or the monitor. Hook it up to something else to rule it out. If it still does it, try a different video card. Start with the basics

boostud

Does the computer actually start up and seem like it's loading (beep, HDD activity etc.)? Or does it not even seem to boot up?

If it's starting up but you can't see anything, it's probably the monitor. If it seems like it's not even getting to the BIOS, from the sounds of it I'd guess it's the graphics card.

Ok thanks guys.

I guess it could be the graphics card (but since it's integrated I'm wondering now if I'd have to buy a whole new motherboard.)

Maybe I'll put a graphics card in and try.

No chance of it being the HDD then right?

Hard drive failure wont make the screen cut out. HD failure makes files corrupt, MBR dissapear, no OS found,clicking noises. CPU problem will generally cause all sorts of BSODs and weird characters and artifacting all over. Hard to really explain, but you'd know if you CPU is going bad. Same crap with a vid card too. From what youa re saying though, I'm willing to bet its the monitor. If not, its the display card.

I have one more question if anyone can help.

If the integrated graphics card on the motherboard was bad, is there any chance that adding a PCI graphics card would resolve the problem? Or would it be safe to say the motherboard would need replacing?

Thanks.

Yeah it should be ok to just put a new card in.

Ok thanks guys.

I guess it could be the graphics card (but since it's integrated I'm wondering now if I'd have to buy a whole new motherboard.)

Maybe I'll put a graphics card in and try.

No chance of it being the HDD then right?

FamiBox

a new card (any card) should solve it. It almost seems like the cooler for the northbridge or southbridge might be failing, in which case you'll have to get a new one. If the new video card doesn't work, get a new motherboard or find a northbridge or southbridge cooler.

Ok. Thanks for the help.

;)

Update:

Apparently the computer is working again but completely freezes (can't move the mouse or anything) around 10 mins of use (just browsing the Internet.)

Any thoughts? Still sound like the video card?

Thanks.

Update:

Apparently the computer is working again but completely freezes (can't move the mouse or anything) around 10 mins of use (just browsing the Internet.)

Any thoughts? Still sound like the video card?

Thanks.

FamiBox

Could be a video card issue, but generally when a PC locks up is because something is overheating - at least that's been the case in my experiences - or possibly a software issue (drivers and such, these problems are a pain in the butt to track down sometimes and eventually it comes down to just reformatting and starting over from scratch with a new install of Windows).

What are the temps for the CPU and GPU? How about the north/southbridge? Is the PSU getting extreamly hot...is the fan on it running?