When I try to start my emachine up I get a monitor will shut down in 5 sec message from the monitor and NOTHING else will happen. The processor fan fires up but no boot data comes up.

If the computer has been booting fine and suddenly didn't:

1. Try another monitor.
2. If the computer has discrete video card, disconnect the power cord, wait 30 seconds, and then remove and reinsert the video card. Or, try another video card.
3. While power cord is disconnected, remove and reinsert memory modules.
4. Test power supply with a tester.
5. Disconnect drives, peripherals, and unneeded adapters.

If machine still doesn't POST, motherboard may be bad.