Computer won't start up

[snickers]

Help me please. Last night my computer shut itself down all of a sudden and now it won't start up again. I know there is power getting to the unit as the speakers make a noise when I switch the power on and off. It is an E-machine desk top running Windows XP. What could possibly have caused this and would it be easy to fix?

[tex8596]

more info

When you hit the power button, does the powersupply fan come on? Do any lights come on? Does the monitor flash? Do the keyboard CAPS LOCK and NUM LOCK lights flicker?

If not, were there lightning storms in your area. There were bad ones her yesterday. If you don't have a surge protector for your PC, it might have got struck!! Warning to all those lazy people who don't want to spend �10 on protection of a �1000 machine!!!

[RATTER14]

If your speakers are plugged in to the mains supply they will make a noise when turned on or off despite the computer not working, not sounding good, sounds like power supply unit or motherboard blown.

[snickers]

Thanks for the answers so far. Don't think it was a power surge as have a surge protector and no lightening. Also, my other comuters were all ok.

Don't get anything when I press the power button - no fan, no lights, nothing on the monitor. Completely dead. If it's a mother board or power unit, is this easily fixed and what sort of price? I.e could i buy these myself and fit them or would i have to take it in somewhere? Which would be best to investigate first? I'm not scared of fiddling with the innards of the thing. Just need some directio as to the possible cause.

[tex8596]

Check the fuses as fender suggests. If OK, disconnect the powersupply output from a working machine and connect it to the dead one (disassembly not required).

If it works, you need a power supply. If it doesn't, you need a motherboard.

Go to www.ebuyer.co.uk or www.scan.co.uk for prices.