Can a desktop power on without a hard drive installed?

[OfficejetJ6480]

HP COMPAQ SR5233 Desktop,  Win. 7 32bit

Hello,

I need to use an old desktop to access old files in hard drive (if it's there). 

I attached the power cord and necessary external accessories.

The power-on button doesn't light up, and the desktop doesn't start up.  Nothing.

I'm wondering that the hard drive may not be installed. (I had this computer's data transferred to a new HP desktop early 2021 by a local PC shop. Then put the SR5233 away - never used or touched it at all.)

I have tried two other power cords (one from my new HP desktop-EliteDesk, one from an old Gateway PC). They don't work either.   And, I have triple or more checked the connections on either end of cord.  And the PC worked fine before moving on to the new PC (which I purchased to obtain Win. 10).

Or do you know of another possible reason why power isn't on?

Can a desktop button show power without a hard drive installed?

It has Windows 7 32bit.

I imagine a HD is what makes computer boot up.  But is the HD necessary to allow power to the PC?

(If HD missing, I have considered that I didn't receive it when the transfer of data was made and I took home the two PC's.)

I need the data.

Thank you in advance.

Massachusetts

[banhien · Accepted solution]

@OfficejetJ6480 

Without HDD, machine may turn ON  and give a message saying you need to install HDD or something for machine to boot.

Regards.

[HC_PC]

Thank you so much. And good to know. 

So just now I gave it a fresh try again. Unplug and replug, which i’ve tried before. It turned on and see the HDD. 
Go figure.
All set!

thanks!