Hey guys, I am new to this forum, found it while searching about possible reasons my pc wont start. Looks like a great forum, i have READ a few threads of users with similar problems. My computer is an

IBM thinkcentre
Windows xp SP2
pentium 4
512 ram
80 hd

Bought it about 3 years, know its not the sharpest tool by far lol, but have some data i would like to avoid LOSING. It has been a good computer, no complaints, never froze or anything, just wanted to turn it on yesterday and...SURPRISE... I guess the correct term is it does not boot. Nothing appears on the screen, no words, logos or anything. I can hear some noise inside the PC, know it could be the hard drive not working, but it makes the same sounds it always does. I know it could be any hardware problem. One note, this had happened like twice, maybe once every 6-8 months, but I would just turn it off, then back on again and everything would be back to normal... not this time I guess. Could it be a virus or something? I dont think so, have not downloaded any new files and I have anti-virus installed.

What do you guys think? Any suggestions??

Thanks for taking the time to read Pull the cover off and look for dead fans. And BLOW the dust out than take a look at the video card. Does it have a fan? If its not moving than I would say you need a new one.

This is a start of things to look at.
Due to the 'faltering' problem you describe, my guess is that your POWER supply unit is failing. I used to give mine a slap when it failed to boot and that WORKED several times before it gave up completely and I had to fit a new one.

A good dust blow-out never does any harm, I agree.