So I broke my computer and I don't know how.
...Title.
I opened up my computer, trying to replace my current graphics card with one that my friend gave me to help me run Vindictus better (because my current one can barely handle Lowest settings at 20 FPS), and it turned out that the new card wouldn't fit, so I just closed it up and plugged everything back in. The weird thing is, though, that when I turn on the power, the power runs just fine (all fans are on, at least), but nothing loads at all. The red "loading" light on the front of the computer is on, but doesn't flicker... it just stays on. The monitor keeps telling me that there is no signal detected and the keyboard acts as though the computer's turned off (will flash when the power supply is turned on, but will not light up when I click buttons like Caps Lock and Num Lock). The speakers also don't play the Windows XP sound effect that it should be doing.
I followed pretty much all safety measures-- discharge static before opening, don't touch anything that you shouldn't, make sure power is unplugged and switch is off, etc. I don't know where I went wrong. When I put the lid back on, there were no changes whatsoever that I made to my computer... except for the strange unknown factor that destroyed the whole thing.
Anyone know what might have gone wrong?
3 Comments • Newest first
make sure that you connected your old graphics card back in, make sure it is ALL THE WAY IN.
also check if the SATA cable is connected into your hard drive, maybe you might have knocked it out of place
good luck
You said that you didn't make any changes (like taking out an old video card), so I'm assuming your original setup was using the built-in graphics system on the motherboard.?
How exactly did you try to plug the new card in..? Did you check to see if it looked like it matched the slots, or did you actually try to put it into the slots and discover it wouldn't fit..?
I'd open the side up again and check to see that it looks like all the cables are connected inside, and that you didn't inadvertently knock something loose. Then turn the computer on with the side open and make sure the fan on top of the CPU spins up.
Beyond that, it would be difficult to diagnose without actually seeing the system. It sounds like you'll probably have to take it in and have it checked out.
Did you make sure it is connect properly and did you make sure you plugged in the power cord for the graphics card (if it requires one).