Computer going down in flames

So my computer has been going downhill for a few weeks now, and now will not boot properly to windows (probably due to a virus that corrupted too much before I got rid of it). I wanted to reformat my secondary HD so I can get a proper installation of XP for backing up that drive that got fucked.

I went into my case to swap the Master/Slave configurations, but before I could do that, I had to remove my "big graphics card is big" graphics card. Due to having such an inconveniently small interior space, I have to move lots of cables and do a small dance to free the card, as it is right up against the hard drives. This setup has worried me for a long time, but I'm pretty careful and haven't had a problem yet.

I reverse my Master/Slave designations, and reseat everything, double checking all connections and cable locations before closing it up and trying to boot it. Oh noes! no post beep, no video, and the fan on the video card is not moving.

Could I have damaged the video card or the AGP port in this process? What about the power connection on the card? Should I not have blown around the dust in the case/by the ports? In a few moments I will be heading back with an older video card that does not have a power connection to troubleshoot this issue. Hopefully I'll have a followup post within the hour. I really didn't want this to turn into a hardware issue when I just want to back up my shit. Any suggestions?

And yeah, www.opera.com, www.ubuntu.com, I know the drill.

http://www.archlinux.org/ will repair your computer.

>>2
THAT WAS VIP QUALITY!

Seriously though, OP here. Guess swapping out with an older, stablished video card does nothing to affect the problem. I don't suppose it can be anything other than the motherboard now, am I right? I'm up for pretty much any (serious) suggestions now that don't rhyme with "minix".

www.getfirefox.com

>>3
>>2 was serious.

Remove everything that can be removed, and gradually boot the computer with more and more of its components until the error occurs. Then you'll have an idea of what it is.

Swapping the video card sounds like a good start. But I'd expect there's just as much a chance the hard drives are busted or you haven't got the master\slave etc pins right.

safe mode

>>linux mode
fix'd

>>6
good advice? in MY 4chan?

It's very unlikely

Make sure you didn't knock the power cord free from the mobo.

>>1

http://dis.4chan.org/read/comp/1166462882/1-40

CTRL+ALT+DEL

>>1
Stop using Internet Explorer

Damaged AGP should not prevent a POST beep.  Double check all the stuff you reseated.

Did you build this computer yourself?  If not, call tech support or whoever did.

If you did, what power supply/RAM/motherboard did you get? Crappy brands of any of those three can cause your computer to get progressively worse until it just dies.

>>1  Should I not have blown around the dust in the case/by the ports?

Compressed Air is your best friend