My computer has been plagued by random shutdowns and then refusing to
restart. I suspected one of my two RAM sticks went bad. I removed one
and the problem was fixed. Then the problem began again a week or two
again. I flashed the CMOS and the problem was solved...until
yesterday. My computer now refuses to POST. I get no beeps, no audio
or visual at all. I do, however, get fans spinning and power
throughout the system (to the best of my knowledge). I swapped power
supplies since I had an extra laying around. This did not solve the
problem. My fear is a dead CPU. What is the solution? Why is my
computer refusing to POST?

Configuration:
AOpen i945Ga-PHS http://usa.aopen.com/products/mb/i945Ga-PHS.htm

Intel Pentium D 820 Smithfield 2.8GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16819116213

CORSAIR ValueSelect 512MB 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) - 1 Stick

Maxtor DiamondMax 10 6L300S0 300GB 7200 RPM 16MB Cache Serial ATA150 Hard Drive
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145569

Everything else is onboard.

Hello,

Your thought process and assumptions are correct. I have
had this exact problem with a client of mine. The machine would not go to
POST, yet the lights and fans would power on and nothing else appeared to be 
wrong. I spoke to Dell who advised me to replace both the MOTHERBOARD
and CPU as it was customary to do both when a failure like this occurs.
I replaced both parts and the PC works perfectly.

I would speak to the company from which you got your CPU and MOTHERBOARD. Some
companies do life time warranty on parts. I believe you get 3 years of
warranty on an Intel chips so you might be able to get a refund. My
advice is to get a new CPU first and test your machine; if it works it
was the CPU that is at fault. If the machine still does not POST get a
new MOTHERBOARD and install this. I would guess your machine will now
work. If possible get a refund on the old CPU and MOTHERBOARD from your
PC supplier.

--keystroke-ga

Thank you for the five stars and the tip! :)