alright i had the same problem...i think...
ok its either power supply or its the jumper thingys
you know where the power hooks up, hd led... its probably hooked improperly i had the same thing happen so i got experience

Most probably PSU is dead ,,

Does the fans spin on PSU ? ,,, mobo culd be fried also,

If the power supply power indicator light is blinking. Unplug the power cord from the computer. Open the tower and unplug the the big plug from the mother board. Plug the computer back in, the indicator light should be steady now. Now carefully plug the big plug back into the board. Make sure that your keyboard, mouse, and video connectors are connected. Now turn on the computer. If this works then you will need to get another power supply. Be advised that you cannot just go and purchase any power supply. These power supplies are different than the many generic types that you can purchase off the shelf. The best way to match it is to google. for example; if you have a pavilion a510n computer you would search for "Pavilion a510n power supply" without the quotes.

I think that the reason i cant get it to work is innexperience(im 16 and have 1yr edu). the psu i used doesnt have an ATX 4pin 12v....

If your MB uses the 4 pin 12v. Then you must use a use a power supply that has it. Remember that Dell, Compaq, and many other brands don't use generic PSU's

Hello I built a computer and I can help. Simply open up your computer. Touch the chassis ( this is to lose static electricity in your hand). Now disconnect and reconnect the power supply from the motherboard. This worked when keyboard mouse and monitor wasn't working.

Similar Problem...
CPU overheated and shut itself down. Screen said something about a thermal shutdown.
I replaced the fan that I had put in 4 mos.
ago thinking it was that because of the same error that I rec'd at that time.

After replacing the fan this time, when the power button is pushed. Nada....

I'm leaning that it is the PS but what bothers me is when the power cord is plugged in and the PS switch is in the
ON position. The little green light
on the motherboard near the PS harness
lights up.

So that makes me think the MB is gone.
Any thoughts?

I have same problem, green light is on, fan is working, video card as well but computer doesn't start.
What could be the solution???

i flipped the lil red switch on my power supply does that fry the motherboard? was that an idiot move?

Just flip it back to the lower number I think its 115 or something like that. I don't think it can do much harm to newer style computers.Its a different voltage setting...Does your computer work pass that issue?

Thanks to Dcrewchief's comment from way back in 2005, I was able to "fix" our son's computer which emitted burning odor after he broke off the plugs on one USB front panel port. Removed ribbon connector from mother board to the damaged USB port, and computer again works like a charm! Fortunately, the back USB ports still work.

Many, many thx!!!!!

"Dcrewchief - 01-26-2005, 08:33 PM - try unplugging your front usb ports from the header pins on motherboard and see it powers up. just a thought maybe it will work."