BleepingComputer.com: 2004 compaq presario won't turn on

today i was using my windows xp home edition on a compaq presario pc (we bought that computer in 2004) and suddenly the monitor turned black, then "no signal" appeared. I pressed and held the power button on the computer until it turned off, then turned it back on. The little hard drive LED light above the cylinder symbol turned on, but didn't start blinking like normal; it stays on. The monitor's screen remained black and its power light stayed orange instead of turning green.

turning off and on the computer several more times, and waiting a few hours didn't help. It still won't start up. I also don't hear the fan whoosh when i turn the computer on, so i think the problem is the hard drive since its LED isn't blinking, it just stays on the whole time.

I really need help! I have some homework to do and the files are on that computer!

Usually when you turn on a computer the PSU will at least start and you can hear the fan spin up. If the computer won't complete the POST then it may shut down. But with the hdd light staying on complicates understanding this.

Do you have a bootable CD that you can use to see if the computer will boot from it? If you do try that, if it boots then you have a problem with either the hdd or the operating system.