PC Won't Turn On?
You press the button... and nothing happens. Or maybe the fans spin for a second and then stop. Don't panic. We are Leeds' experts in diagnosing hardware failure. We find the fault quickly, whether it's a dead motherboard, faulty RAM, or just a loose cable.
We Pinpoint the Problem
When a computer refuses to start, it's rarely "completely broken". Usually, one single component has failed and is preventing the system from booting to protect itself.
Diagnosis is Key. At our Headingley workshop, we use POST (Power On Self Test) cards and spare parts to swap out components one by one. We test your RAM, Graphics Card, Processor, and Motherboard individually to find the culprit.
We get students from Leeds Beckett and professionals from the City Centre back up and running, often the same day.
Common Causes
1. RAM Seating Issues
Often, the PC turns on (fans spin) but the screen stays black. This is frequently due to RAM sticks vibrating loose or getting dusty contacts. We clean and reseat them, or replace faulty modules.
2. Motherboard Failure
If the capacitors on the motherboard bulge or leak, the board can't regulate power. This requires a motherboard replacement. We perform the transplant, including reinstalling Windows drivers for the new board.
3. Corrupt BIOS
A failed Windows update can sometimes corrupt the BIOS chip. The PC lights up but does "brain dead" nothing. We can physically reprogram the BIOS chip on the board to revive it.
The "Beep Code" Trick
Listen closely.
Does your PC make beeping noises when you turn it on? That is the motherboard trying to talk to you.
- 1 Long, 2 Short: Usually means Graphics Card failure.
- Continuous Beeping: Usually means RAM (Memory) failure.
No Speaker? Modern gaming PCs often don't have speakers. We plug in a diagnostic test card to read the error code directly from the motherboard circuitry.
Is it the Button?
Surprisingly common.
Sometimes the actual power switch on the case breaks. The PC is fine, but you can't tell it to start.
We can test this by "jumping" the power pins on the motherboard. If it starts, we just replace the switch, saving you hundreds on new parts.
Startup FAQs
Leeds Troubleshooting.
Diagnostic Fee?
We charge a small bench fee to find the fault, but if you go ahead with the repair, we waive this fee. You only pay for the fix.
Is it worth fixing?
If it's just a RAM stick (£30) or PSU (£50), absolutely. If the Motherboard and CPU are both dead on a 10-year-old PC, we will honestly tell you to buy a new one instead.
Will I lose my data?
Almost certainly NOT. Your data lives on the Hard Drive/SSD. Even if the motherboard burns out, the drive is usually safe. We can simply build a new PC around your old drive.