Hi. I built my own computer few years back and it causes problems now. First, I turned on my computer for the entire night. When I checked the computer in the morning, the screen was out (all black, no response). So I turned off the computer and restarted but my computer refused to boot. Because I had to go somewhere, I left the computer as it was and finally came back to fix it. The problem is I can't even get into safe mode. I tried to but right before the windows pop up, the system just freezes. I thought I did something wrong, so I tried to format the computer, but it does not work. It says it is going to boot from cd rom, but it doesn't and freezes. But here comes the biggest problem. I just left the computer when it froze, and after a minute or so, there was a spark and the screen went out with a burnt smell from the computer. I thought it was the video card that was burnt, so I changed to my old card, but screen doesn't come back. Now I don't know what to do. Please help.
processor: athlon xp 2500+
mobo: Abit NF7-S
video card: Radeon 9700 pro
replaced vdeo card: radeon 9250
processor: athlon xp 2500+
mobo: Abit NF7-S
video card: Radeon 9700 pro
replaced vdeo card: radeon 9250
Firstly, did you try to move the mouse after you left it on for the entire night? It could have been the power saving monitor which turns the monitor off after 20 mins of inactivity.