Doh!!

[Solidus]

I just got a tv tuner for my PC. I had some trouble getting it to work. I'm on hold with tech support for an hour. I finally get through, and i have to switch the card positions cause there is an IRQ conflict. fine, simple enough. I can't find a screwdriver, so i use a screw bit for a drill. I drop it in the case by accident when i'm through. i start trying to get it out,but i get a phone call. 10 minutes later, i come back, power in the PC, and all the fans turn on, cd-romworks fine,etc., but it doesn't boot up. hmmm. All cables look connected, ram is seated properly. I stand the case upright, and what comes out? that little screw bit. The same thing still happens,no boot-up, just fans twirling. I take it my MotherBoard is fried, right? CAn my cpu and ram still be ok? i guess the motherboard is beyond salvaging.

[CMonster]

It's hard to say anything for sure, but before you go throwing in the towel - recheck all connections - you may have simply knocked something loose - remove all cards except the video card and try to boot the computer.

If something got shorted (and it could even be the video card) chances are very good that your CPU and ram are still fine. It could also be that your driver bit nicked a trace on the motherbaord or cracked a chip. Take a good look at the area where it fell, if you remember.

Next time remember: before answering the phone or otherwise being called away, finish tightening the oil filter, drain plug, and refill with new oil - a receipe that has never cost me an engine.