You press the power button on your computer and nothing happens. Few computer problems are more frustrating than when your computer won't boot. There are many reasons why a computer won't turn on and often very few clues about what might be the problem.

The only symptom is usually the simple fact that "nothing works" which isn't much to go on. Add to this the fact that whatever is wrong could be an expensive part of your PC to replace - like the motherboard or CPU. Try to be calm, there is a good chance its a simple problem you can figure out.

1. Does the computer show any signs of power?

Are fans running, lights on? In the case of there are no signs, it may be a faulty power supply. Here are a few things to try. Unplug the power cord to the PC, wait approx 10 mins and plug back in. Does the computer power on now? If so, it may have been a power surge that the PC experienced. You may want to invest in an Uninterruptible Power Supply unit.

2. Is your computer turning off by itself immediately or at some point before the operating system loads?

If so, you may be facing anything from an electrical short to a serious hardware issue. Open the computer case and inspect the wiring. Make sure none are chafing or exposed to direct contact with metal. Some times connectors can become unseated. Inspect and reseat all connections. Just because the unit powered on then off does not mean the power supply is good, it still maybe faulty.

3. Does the computer beep shortly after powering on?

If you’re lucky to get beeps, you can use those to determine the cause. The most frequent problems are memory or videocard issues. A list of codes and their meaning can be obtained from the chart listed on this page http://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm

4. PC powers on but does it display some codes and not boot operating system?

These codes are called POST (Power On Self Test) codes. They are usually specific to the manufacturer. It’s best to call the manufacturer support at this point. Although sometimes the codes can point you in the right direction. In the case of a “No hard drive connected” error, you can try reseating the connectors on the hard drive and test again.

5. Computer turns on but is there an error message prevents the operating system from loading completely?

If your computer begins to load Windows but then stops booting and displays an error message, your best bet is to contact the manufacturer's support or troubleshoot the problem based on the specific error message. You may have to use a restore disk in this case. 

Hopefully you are still calm after reading these resolutions.  Let us know if you have other problems by leaving a comment below. 

Can I fix a computer with a virus on a shared wireless network without it infecting my other computers?

When a virus attacks a computer that is part of a shared wireless network, concerns about infecting other computers are definitely valid. Some viruses are network capable, but viruses, worms, and Trojan horses generally infect computers independently and are primarily spread through the web via Internet browsers.

The best course of action for repairing a computer infected with a virus connected to a shared wireless network is to immediately disable the connection once a virus is detected by the software. This action will have to be performed by an authorized administrator. Make sure that all file sharing capabilities are also disabled because others may be able to access the computer in this way, which could cause the virus to spread.  To ensure that all computers connected to the network are safe, it may be best to turn off all the computers while the repair is being made.

Once the computer is “independent,” follow the instructions of the virus software to quarantine and delete the virus. Next, the computer’s functionality should be checked to see how much damage was done. Surprisingly, most viruses are caught by virus software before they can inflict any harm. In the cases where viruses do cause damage, the damage is usually noticeable and may include the inability to access any files.

Each computer should have a complete virus scan to ensure the virus did not spread. Also, make sure the virus software is up to date and the firewall is active. Remember, most viruses spread through the internet, not through networks. However, it certainly never hurts to take these precautions and be safe rather than sorry when dealing with a virus-infected computer.

Looking For Virus Removal Help?  Connect With An Expert!

Are you looking for free anti-virus software that also offers a firewall?  One of our developers had the same dilemma.  He wrote this little saga about his search.

The hunt started last month when my subscription for the Zonealarm Internet Security suite ended. Though the Zonealarm product is a combination of a full fledged Anti-virus that also offers a firewall plus anti-spyware; it did have some sore points including being a resource hog on my 4 year old laptop, especially when it went into scanning mode. The auto-update feature would slowdown all other applications during the update cycle and would not let him quickly shut it down. So I would sit there twiddling my thumbs for quite a while the machine whirred and did its stuff.

When the time came to renew it, I looked at the options: I could stick with the current one and upgrade to the latest version which promised to be faster and lighter or I could look at other options. Since the older laptop was not my primary machine, I wasn't so keen on spending anything extra on it.

I considered searching for and installing some reliable freeware versions. Googled around and found a lot of options. Most of them were stand alone free antivirus software or free firewalls. Lots of excellent choices to select from, tried & tested and commented on by many , but I wanted to make things even easier on myself. I wanted just one package with both features; Anti-virus that also offers a firewall. This would be a simpler affair, letting me configure and control all settings from a single interface.

A single package would also be smaller and use up less resources. I checked out the reviews on several options and finally settled on a product called Comodo Internet Security, which has a free version for non-commercial use. Apart from the Antivirus + Firewall, it also has an Anti-spyware too. Downloaded it, installed and rebooted and viola! I was all set.

Performance-wise, I have no complaints. It does its job without taking up too much of the system processor time and has enough options and features to let me fine tune it to my requirements. So here I am, a happy man! If you are looking for a similar option, just fire up Google and search around for free Anti-virus that also offers a firewall, do a little bit of research on which one best fits your bill and go ahead with it.

 

Need Help With AntiVirus Software? Connect With An Expert Now!