But I Didn't Get an Error Message?

What might just be worse than getting an error code is getting absolutely nothing at all from your computer when you go to boot up? If you get a hum, a fan or even a little yellow light on the monitor that is at least a small sign of life on the inside. Sometimes these little computer sounds may be accompanied by an error message such as no signal received. It is safe to assume that any of the issues described above are the equivalent of some type of error message; they just are not displayed in the same way.

Here are a few of the common errors that may not be accompanied by a specific error message:

• The computer boots up and then freezes.
• Hum from hard drive, but no signs from the monitor or display.
• No signal message on the monitor.
• Yellow light on the monitor, but nothing on the screen.
• Computer beeps, but will not turn on.

Before rushing to the repair shop, there are a few simple steps you can take to try and identify and, hopefully correct, some of these common issues. Any of these issues may signify something as simple as a problem with your power supply connection to more serious overheating, dusty or dirty hardware or a problem with the hard drive. At the absolute worst, it may be a problem with the motherboard, which can be identified by a computer technician.

Start by removing the power supply and then push the power button to ON for about 30 seconds to one minute. Release it and then reconnect the power supply cord. If this works, it may have been a loose connection with the power supply. While you are at it, check all of your connections and ensure that they are tightly connected.

If the freezing up continues to occur, listen to see if the fan is running. When the computer gets too hot, or the fan stops running properly, it will cause the computer to overheat and shut down automatically. You can try taking off the casing and checking the fan for dust or buildup. The fan may need to be replaced if it does not appear to be running or if freezing continues. You can also add an external fan if your computer is overheating but the fan is still running. This will help but in the long run, the best bet is to replace the fan inside the computer.

Dusty hardware is another common cause for problems. If you have memory sticks or removable cards take them out and dust them off. Check to make sure nothing has spilled on them or gotten them wet. After cleaning off any hardware, reboot the computer to see if this has fixed the problem.

Continued issues with freezing up may also be memory or RAM related. If you have recently installed new software, try uninstalling it and see if this eliminates the freezing up of the computer. If it does, you should look to increase the RAM on your computer by adding memory before reinstalling the software as the RAM may not be sufficient to run certain programs.

If you have tried all of the steps above and nothing appears to correct the issues that you are having, it is best to contact a computer repair shop to identify the root cause and the best method of repair or replacement.