Hardware Problems

What it means when a computer shows no sign of life at all, and what's worth checking before assuming the worst.

When a computer shows no sign of life at all — no lights, no fans, no display — that's almost always a hardware fault rather than something Windows-related, since Windows never gets the chance to load in the first place. The cause differs between desktops and laptops, and between a computer that's completely dead versus one that powers on but shows nothing on screen. The guide below walks through what's worth checking before assuming the worst, and when it's time for a proper diagnosis.