If nothing happens when you turn on the PC but fans moving and no activity or lights, particularly after an event like that, your CPU is very likely damaged. PCs left for several months without use can accrue deposits, sometimes damp ones that will short out the PSU violently, creating a huge amp draw that can quite literally blow the circuits of the PSU, hence the pop. Unfortunately numerous PSUs, especially old and/or cheap ones will trigger high voltages (far higher than usual) to appear at the wiring to the components in such instances, often damaging the components.
I have a similar problem - I have a gateway pc about 3 years old. I wasn't having any problems - several weeks ago it wouldn't boot. The power turns on, but no mouse, monitor, key board (wireless)light up. Oddly enough, it will turn on willy-nilly. I totally power it down, removing power cord, etc. and occasionally it will boot up normally - but mostly it won't boot up. Someone suggested power source failure - replace power source - any thoughts?
If things turn on, like fans spin, but there's no hardware activity, keyboard mouse monitor etc. then it means the CPU isn't active, so either it's not getting any power or it's no more. Since it boots occasionally I'm tempted to say CPU on that one.
Sometimes it boots, and it works fine, but more often it won't boot and I keep powering down 20 times in a row. If it's the CPU can I do anything to correct the problem. Someone suggested inadequate power supply. Would that be corrected with a new power supply? Thanks.
Forgot to mention a few things!! When the computer is operating, it seems to be freezing frequently, and then unable to reboot. Also, the system seems to be 'working' all the time, creating mild flickering of windows and the hour glass - it's as though I'm performing a virus scan, but I'm not.
It could potentially be a power problem, but those symptoms match a faulty CPU as well. if it is the CPU the only option is replace it. Likewise for the PSU, and both are relatively expensive (do not buy cheap power supplies). If they still make your CPU of course. If there's no alternative, then you're looking at a new mobo as well.
Thank you for your help - I took it to Best Buy yesterday - of course it worked there! They don't care the power supply - and of course questioning whether that's the problem. I am going to check if doing anything to this machine makes financial sense, especially since I don't know for sure the problem. Thanks again for your help!
What's the spec of the machine? If it's an old unit, you might as well get a new PC for the agro it'll be.
