This morning I powered up my computer and instead of the usual start-up screen, I got a screen showing "Intel Inside" and that's it -- the computer will not budge from that screen. No keys I press, no login command, nothing works, the computer is frozen on that screen. Any suggestions?

Hi and welcome to D-A-L

have you tried unplugging from the mains then plug back in?

Originally Posted by brain_damage

Hi and welcome to D-A-L

have you tried unplugging from the mains then plug back in?

Yes, a few times, with no effect.

do you get any beep sounds, has it been playing up before, was the PC working ok the night before, what make is the PC ?

No beeping, no sounds. The computer worked fine the night before. I'm not sure of the make -- the company I worked for was getting new computers and allowed me to take this one (from my own office) home (it's still a fairly new computer).

I powered up my computer (a no-brand computer, put together about 18 months ago by the office computer consultant) and instead of the usual start-up screen, I got a screen showing "Intel Inside" and that's it -- the computer will not budge from that screen. No keys I press, no login command, nothing works, the computer is frozen on that screen. The computer does not even make a sound. Should I assume that the hard drive is dead?

No. From what you write the hard drive would not even be in the equation yet.

More likely the RAM or CPU.

You cold try removing all the RAM but one stick in slot one and interchanging the sticks if the first doesn't work etc.

Also clear your CMOS. Unplug the computer and remove the motherboard battery. Also if you see a 3 pin jumper labeled JBAT move the jumper sleeve from 1/2 to 2/3 and wait a few minutes. Then reset to 1/2 and replace the battery and power on.

ESD - What can I do to avoid damage

Originally Posted by jephree

No. From what you write the hard drive would not even be in the equation yet.

More likely the RAM or CPU.

You cold try removing all the RAM but one stick in slot one and interchanging the sticks if the first doesn't work etc.

Also clear your CMOS. Unplug the computer and remove the motherboard battery. Also if you see a 3 pin jumper labeled JBAT move the jumper sleeve from 1/2 to 2/3 and wait a few minutes. Then reset to 1/2 and replace the battery and power on.

ESD - What can I do to avoid damage

Thanks, I will keep your good advice in reserve. Today, the computer just started working again by itself. Now I'm afraid to turn it off.

Such inconsistent startup behavior, if persistent, is very indicative of a failing Power Supply Unit.

Fairly inexpensive and easy to change if needs be.

Originally Posted by jephree

Such inconsistent startup behavior, if persistent, is very indicative of a failing Power Supply Unit.

Fairly inexpensive and easy to change if needs be.

Where can someone buy Power Supply Units?