OP said it wouldn't POST without the hard drive so that rules out your
theory. All you need to POST is motherboard, PSU, RAM and graphics card.
--
Cari (MS-MVP)
Windows Technologies - Printing & Imaging
http://www.coribright.com/windows
"Max" <max@home.com> wrote in message
news:e0%238zkHmHHA.4684@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> Tried everything *but* the hard drive, eh?
> Return the system for a refund, if possible. It may be a lemon.
>
> --
> Maxwell Bluemeanie
> ----
> "phypps" <nobody@nospam.com> wrote in message
> news:x92dnQ8FerJ0qtHbnZ2dnUVZ8q2dnZ2d@bt.com...
>> Occasionally it does POST and seems to be on its way but then dies after
>> a few seconds.
>> Manufacturers sent engineer to repair.
>> Removed Xi-fi card, TV tuner card, disconnected DVD drives and top of
>> case USB etc.
>> Disconnect all peripherals except monitor and keyboard.
>> In other words a bare bones system to systematically diagnose problem.
>> Didn't work.
>> Changed video card
>> Didn't work
>> Dismantled machine and changed motherboard.
>> Didn't work.
>> Changed PSU.
>> Didn't work
>> Swapped CPU (only 2 cores instead of 4 but just to see)
>> didn't work
>> Swapped memory and tried every combination of 1, 2, and 4GB.
>> Didn't work
>