When you power on your computer and only the fans are running, with no response from the monitor, it certainly indicates a hardware issue. The best approach is to use a process of elimination to identify the problem. Here’s how:

1. Press the Caps Lock key on the keyboard. If the light turns on, it indicates a fault with the graphics card, monitor, or other hardware.

2. If the keyboard light does not turn on, it suggests an issue with the memory, CPU, motherboard, or power supply.

Solutions:

(1) If the keyboard light does not turn on, first clean the memory stick with an eraser and check if the gold fingers of the memory stick show any signs of burning.

(2) Try changing the memory stick to a different slot.

3. Inspect the capacitors and resistors on the motherboard. Check for bulging capacitors or burnt smells, and clean any dust off the motherboard.

4. Remove the CPU fan, power on the computer, and check if the CPU shows any temperature changes. If not, it indicates the CPU is not functioning, which could be due to a faulty motherboard or improperly seated CPU. Reseat the CPU.

5. If there’s a power issue, the power supply may be getting power but not allowing the motherboard to function properly; try replacing the power supply.

6. If the graphics card is loose or oxidized, the keyboard light will turn on, but the screen will not display. Clean the gold fingers of the graphics card with an eraser and check for bulging capacitors on the graphics card.

Additional Knowledge:

Computer hardware includes all the physical components within a computer, distinguishing it from the software that provides instructions to complete tasks. Major components include: case, motherboard, bus, power supply, hard drive, storage controllers, interface cards, portable storage devices, built-in memory, input devices, output devices, CPU fan, and buzzer.

The motherboard houses the CPU (central processing unit), memory (random access memory), and slots for expansion cards (note that the CPU and memory are not integrated into the motherboard and are not considered its accessories, but are also part of the computer hardware). The motherboard is also known as the mainboard, system board, or mother board; it is installed inside the case and is one of the most fundamental and crucial components of a computer.

The motherboard is generally a rectangular circuit board with 4-6 layers, containing the main circuitry that makes up the computer, including the North and South bridge chips (sometimes integrated), BIOS chip, I/O control chip, keyboard and panel control switch interfaces, indicator light connectors, expansion slots, and power supply connectors for the motherboard and add-on cards.