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I shut down my PC as normal last but 10 of so minutes later it switched it self on but there was no picture on the monitor, the LED's on the two DVD drives were flashing on and off and the light around the on/off button aswell. I wasn't able to swith the PC off so i had to unplug. This morning it worked for 5 minutes before i got the blank screen and flashing LEDs. This afternoon i switched on but the keyboard wasn't working and then i got the flashing lights and no picture again. does anyone have any ideas what has happened ? I did install a wireless router on Saturday but that is working fine (i'm using it now) but don't think that has had an affect.

My first thought about it 'Switching itself on' was a hacker or possibly someone accessing your 'puter for music downloads. Then you mentioned the wireless router and I'm thinking outside logging into your broadband connection. First step is always to undo what you did prior to the problem. Go back to wired router and see if if the problem stops. If so, connect it up again and see if the problem returns.

Hi Ken, just a quick update now when i switch it on at the plug it starts the blinking lights straight away. I will try what you suggest about the router, i do have it webkey enabled so unlikely someone is using my connection.

Tried that Ken but still have the problem :(

Thanks for the advice.

Next step is unplug and reconnect everything...checking that the plugs go fully home in the right slots.
If that doesn't work....press and hold your switch on 'puter button until your 'puter switches off. Fire it up after 30 seconds and you should go into auto HD scan....let it run.

Hi Ken, the computer doesn't switch off i have to unplug it no matter how long i hold the on/off switch in  :(  I don't see anything on the screen. I have already uplugged both the hard drives to no avail. I will try unplugging everything but i suspect my problem could be very serious  :'( :'(

Well Ken i am rather thinking that the motherboard may have gone  :'( so that means a new board and processor. I may not be on the site much this weekend because my eldest lad will want his laptop back. But hopefully i can get my spare PC from my mums and use that until i repair my other  :)

from what you have said it does sound like a motherboard problem.

I agree Bak. It seems more a problem with set-up than hardware. At this point I'd certainly not consider replacement motherboard.
Go google, pick up a freeby Computer test to see what shows.

How will the test work if i cannot use that PC ?

I thought you could use it. I was under the impression that it worked but was 'acting-up.' Are you saying it doesn't boot-up?

It would work for a few minutes but now it doesn't work at all. I have to switch it on at the mains and i get the blinking lights and a noise straight away. It doesn't even start the boot up routine anymore  :(

Most MBs have flashing lights on them when they're working.  Take the side off and see what's happening when you switch on.  Any chance it could be the hard drive?

i had a problem like you describe. It was caused by a USB mouse. With no mouse the computer was OK. With the mouse attached it didn't boot. the problem appeared out of nowhere ie the mouse initially worked fine with the PC. Have you tried unplugging all the peripheral devices?

Quote from: asbean on June 23, 2007, 15:19:42
Most MBs have flashing lights on them when they're working.  Take the side off and see what's happening when you switch on.  Any chance it could be the hard drive?

No flashing lights to be seen, and i did unplug both hard drives but still same problem.

Quote from: Rhubarb Thrasher on June 23, 2007, 15:43:26
i had a problem like you describe. It was caused by a USB mouse. With no mouse the computer was OK. With the mouse attached it didn't boot. the problem appeared out of nowhere ie the mouse initially worked fine with the PC. Have you tried unplugging all the peripheral devices?

I have unplugged everything and still got no joy.

Thanks for everyones input, i have know fetched my spare PC so the problem is not so dire anymore, i hopefully wil be able to access the other hard drive and retrieve my data. When i get around to replacing the motherboard i will let you know if has worked.  :)

Good luck !!  ;) ;) ;)

Thanks, before getting a new motherboard i think i will replace the battery on it, there only a couple of quid so i figure go for it  ;D

Have you been having problems with the time and date resetting itself?
???