Desktop gets hot and goes black

WARNING: Before you start troubleshooting remember that you are dealing with electricity that can KILL.
http://www.kitchentablecomputers.com/static.php - rules


Only work inside the computer case when the power has been switched off and disconnected. Never open the power source.


Some of the below steps recommend removing physical parts within the computer. While in the computer it is highly recommend that you be aware of ESD and its potential hazards


Check your RAM.
The RAM is located in the middle of the motherboard.

There are tabs that you can push to release the RAM.
Remove it and put it back in place until the tabs pop out.

Loose RAM can cause your computer not to start properly where you want to see a video signal.
Remove the memory modules from their slots.
Take the opportunity to clean the slots on the motherboards and the memory module connectors.


Use compressed air to blow dust away and clean contacts with a soft cloth.
Do not use a metallic vacuum cleaner if it touches any component it may create a short and cause damage to the motherboard or other components.


Do not use solvent that may attract dust and never poke things like cotton buds in to slots, lightly rub an alcohol (Methylated Spirits) on a cloth not to hard let the alcohol do the work on the copper gold or silver tabs and r


Allow the pins to dry.
They will air dry in a matter of minutes.

Test all leads that attach to your hard drive power and data cables IDE SATA
the leads from yourMOTHERBOARD TO YOUR HARD DRIVEmake sure they have a secure dust free connections and are not faulty or just replace them they could be faulty


make sure all leads that are attached to your dvd\cd floppy drives have secure connections and are not faulty or just replace them they could be faulty


computers need power and data to travel through every working device to continue its cycle and have an end so any faulty leads will end up with a computer error


even something as small as a faulty electrical or fan lead can cause you problems


motherboard and a hard drive any leads between them will fail before your motherboard or your hard drive if its a flat ribbon 40 pin type IDE replace it this will be the first to fail


check all electrical power input and extensions make sure they are securely seated even the cd/dvd floppy drives need to have current go through make sure these drives are working


Check you CPU central processing unit make sure its securely seated and has thermal paste it might be getting to hot the thermal paste will help disperse the heat

Thermal compound is a sticky paste that is placed directly onto the CPU.


Allowing for a more direct heat transfer between the CPU and HEAT SINK and preventing air gaps from forming between the CPU and heat sink.