mothballed backup PC will not start

When I procured a new PC over a year ago, I boxed up the one I replaced as an emergency backup. Lately, I have observed a clicking noise in the hard drive on the "new" PC during startup, so to prepare for possible temp use of the backup, I thought that I would bring the software up to date on it. Problem is, the backup does not respond to the power on button "“ absolutely nothing happens…

Yes, everything is connected properly, the -/0 toggle is ok (although I tried it both on and off), etc, etc…

The first thing that came to mind is that there is something like a battery for the bios, and if I recall correctly from past perusals, if that battery is expired, a PC will not start? If that is highly likely the problem, how do I go about finding the battery for the bios? If that is not the problem, what other possibilities might I consider?

Now, about that clicking noise in the hard drive (only during startup, but that's the only time that there is a lot of HD access...). It is barely audible, but is noticeable, and I do not recall noticing it before. What is the best means to test hard drive health?

 

Hi keywester,

The computer should startup even with a dead battery, only the settings in the BIOS will be reset to default and the time will need to be reset each startup.

If there is no activity at all, the most likely cause is a faulty power supply. If the power supply is a standard type, you should be able to check using the power supply from another computer (I set the spare PSU up on the frame and stretch the cables in, just to save unbolting and replacing the original.)

Noises, especially clicking, is a bad sign for harddrives. Double-check that it is coming from the HDD and not the floppy or optical drives...put your finger on the drive when hear them.
If the BIOS/CMOS settings have "Autodetect harddrives" run that.
Get the HDD manufacturers utilities from their website to check the drive.

Matt

 

Hi Keywester: When you say nothing do you mean no fans, no lights or just no response from the system?
Sorry but just need to clarify.

Thanks

 

thanks Matt...

Durham - nothing fires at all, guess it must be the power supply...