Advice on How to Repair a Computer That Won’t Boot

This article answers as far as possible the questions of “how to repair a computer that won’t boot? and “why won’t my computer boot?”

We know that there are few things worse than pressing the power button on your computer and getting the response of a dead or inert computer. It might be a relatively simple repair but often ends up being something far more complex – something that may involve software (things like the operating system, your programs/ installations) hardware or both. Also, how would you know why your computer won’t boot and what do you do to find out how to repair a computer that won’t boot?
Before considering your options and deciding what you should do next, you need to ask yourself a few relevant questions, including (if it is a PC):

Is it a notebook or a desktop computer?

Is it running a Windows 7 8.1 or 10 operating system?

How old is your computer? Is it still running Windows XP or Vista.

If you happen to own an Apple Mac, those questions will be similar and no less relevant – only the specifics will differ. You might still be running Snow Leopard (Mac OS 10.6), Lion (10.7) or Mountain Lion (10.8).

Desktop or Laptop Won’t Boot

They may do the same thing but they are designed quite differently. In a market once dominated by desktop machines, laptops or notebooks have become the mainstream computer device. Their cost and practicality make them the ideal choice for consumers, but most of these are also engineered to have a relatively short life span. Don’t be surprised if that service life turns out to be just 2 or 3 years, or less.

The screen or display panel, the motherboard (including CPU and video/ graphics controller), RAM and hard drive are all vulnerable to failure. Even the keyboard and trackpad may become erratic and useable.
The problem is that whilst these components can be “repaired” if they are the cause for your computer not booting, usually by replacing them with new parts, the cost of doing this is often prohibitive, given the cost of a new, replacement computer. In this instance, recovering user data from the internal storage device (usually a hard drive) is the only cost-effective course open.

If you own a desktop computer, particularly an unbranded, custom-built machine, your repair options for a computer that won’t boot are much better. Less so if you own a brand name computer like an Acer, ASUS, Dell, HP or Lenovo – particularly those that come in a slim-line or low-profile case, or an all-in-one. Your experience may end up being similar to that experienced by the owners of notebook computers.

A custom-built desktop computer gives you a better range of options when it comes to repair or replacing faulty components if this is the reason your computer won’t start-up. This is because replacement parts are more readily available. Even here however, you could run into trouble with an old computer. Intel in particular routinely change their motherboard and CPU designs every 12 to 18 months, with old designs quickly disappearing from the supply chain. For example, if your Intel-powered desktop PC is 4 years old and needs a new motherboard, good luck finding a brand new replacement – even on eBay. Chances are it will be a used item and cost you more that it did when it was new from the computer retailer.

In this instance, you may end up not only replacing the motherboard, but also the CPU and RAM as well.