I normally use a Dell Inspiron 531 with Linux Mint Cinnamon 20.2 Uma.

(I am using a different older computer to write this).

This afternoon my Inspiron 531 froze three or four times and I had to restart it.

Then the computer, after restarting, would not finish the boot. I got the usual blue Dell bios screen, but it stayed like that.

Then later the computer would not start the boot. When I turn the computer on, it behaves exactly as normal except that the boot does not start. The fans start, the CD tray works, lights come on, and even the power button turns the computer off if I press it for a few seconds.

But it does not make the usual brief "whoosh!" sound, nor does it make the usual "beep" sound, and the screen stays black.

I have tried unplugging all external things in the hope the motherboard would indicate it was still alive by beeping. Then I unplugged the harddrives, then pulled out all the memory, still no beep or beeps.

Is there anything else I could try, or is my motherboard kaput?

Thanks.

When you press the power button is the color yellow or green? Is it blinking or steady?

Sounds like either the motherboard and/or power supply is having problems.

The power button is normally blue. I did notice it was yellow or white at some point.

The power transformer shows a steady green light at the rear, same as usual.

I used a USB optical mouse and a USB keyboard, both have lights. I am not sure, the mouse may be brighter than usual. The keyboard is a gaming keyboard (although I do not do gaming) that usually flashed once brightly when the computer started, but does not now.

The only thing I have not tried removing yet is the graphics card.

I wonder if it could be a graphics problem. No bleep suggests an unsuccessful POST to me, but then it should flag any errors up on screen. So if it doesn't, maybe it's lost contact with the screen.

I noticed that one of the capacitors has a convex top, with what might be merely a little dust or which could be something leaking out from inside.

I know that it is possible to replace capacitors, but it's probably better to get another old recycled computer from somewhere.

I preferred Dell because I thought their desktops were sturdy reliable and long-lasting, but not this time.

When I get time I shall try removing the graphics card and then seeing if it can boot.

that's not good is it in the power supply ?
or one on the motherborad ?

That model Dell comes from the tail end of the bad capacitor plague. I have several old Dells that needed caps replaced to get them working properly again. Badcaps.net has details about getting caps replaced, and DIY replacement. Motherboard cap replacement on products from that period are tricky in part because of the high melting point of the lead-free solder. You might want to try for the fun of it. There's no good reason to pay the price to have someone replace caps for you on a PC that ancient. Caps in power supplies still a problem, though not so much in the power supplies dell used and uses, or those from the better brands.

From your description the BIOS section of the boot process seems to be working but you don't mention if the hard drive (The whirling rust version I assume as it's not a recent machine) is actually spinning. Can you hear it spinning? You can use a long handled screwdriver as a "stethoscope" to check if needed; Handle in your ear, tip on the disk. Sounds like the process fails after the BIOS goes looking for a bootable system? (Though I'd expect a "No bootable system" message somewhere.) Can you boot from A CD/DVD? If so, maybe it's a disk problem or the cabling needs reseated.

Just a thought...

Play Bonny!

That's a great tip!

Yep...look for "Mechanic's Stethoscope" online. Personally, I used to use a broom-handle on my cars engine (was free)....

what the broom or the car?

Happy New Year!

Both, actually...didn't run when I got it, which is why it was free. Was a teenager with a Chilton's manual and no car...had incentive to get it running.

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Thanks for replies.

Power - the power supply transformer is in a metal box inside the desktop computer. Its inside cannot be seen, but it seemed to be working normally.

Blank display, no beeps - As I wrote in my original post, it appears that the boot does not start, as **** the screen stays black **** and **** there are no beeps****.

With everything disconnected, I would expect the motherboard to give warning beeps, but it does not. So there would be no point reconnecting the hard-drive, which in any case I have transplanted to another computer.

As far as I am aware, the BIOS is independent of the hard drive and I should get a boot display without it. The fact that the screen stays black (and the motherboard is silent) indicates that the motherboard is kaput.

Edit: The motherboard does not POST, see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Power-on_self-test

I believe MrMazda is correct. As I wrote in my third post, one of the capacitors has a domed top with a small amount of yellowy material there. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capaci...sible_symptoms

So problem solved - the motherboard is kaput.