Why won't my desktop turn on?!?

[AfternoonsandCoffeespoons]

Was on computer this morning when it just shut down with no warning at all. I have been known to hit the on/off button with my foot and restart it so assumed that was what had happened. Pressed to turn it on again and it loaded so far then started beeping. I left it for a few minutes to see what would happen but just carried on beeping. Tried to switch it off but couldn't - even holding down the button didn't do anything so had to turn it off at the wall. Unplugged it and left it for about half an hour then plugged it all back in again. (Don't know why i did this, it just seemed like it was the right hting to do) Now when i try and turn it on it whirrs a bit like its going to start up then stops and turns of again.

I've tried googling and it seems I should have paid more attention ti the beeps. I also now believe its the motherboard (?) and needs a proper repair from someone who knows what they're doing. Am I right? Any help would be great. As you can see I'm not the most technical of poeple

TIA

No way of telling from that description alone - yes, you probably need to get it in for repair. May well not be as drastic as the motherboard or processor though - could just be a failed PSU, RAM, graphics card, whatever... Before taking it in, if you're confident doing this, open the case and look for any obvious failed components (bulging capacitors on the motherboard or graphics card, or anything with scorch marks!) and carefully (while holding onto the metal of the case - with the PC powered off but still plugged into the wall) remove and re-seat the RAM. If that doesn't help, take it in somewhere (independent - not PC World!)

If it's now only whirring and not getting as far as the beeps, it's probably over heating. That'll be the fan on the CPU, that's not working.

Usually, if it's RAM or any other hardware you still get the beeps.

Find a local repairer, please don't take to PC world.

"Usually, if it's RAM or any other hardware you still get the beeps."

RAM, yes, you'd expect the POST beeps...and usually with video card failures, too, but certainly not usual for "any other hardware." I have frequently observed the behaviour the OP describes with a faulting PSU or mobo.

Not saying it's not an overheating CPU, but nothing she's stated could narrow it down to that, yet.

Thanks for the replies. Sorry for the delay obviously i haven't got a computer at the moment so need to wait till DH laptop is free!

No I don't feel confident enough to do that Lazydog. TBH I wouldn't know what i was looking for or what the RAM even looks like!

My local computer repair place does a set fee repair jobby which as soon as i've got the money i will give them a try. Just wanted to check i wasn't missing anything glaringly obvious before i tried them.

Thanks again.