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28.3.24 0551
The W - Internet & Computers - My computer's gone kaput
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Roy.
Pepperoni








Since: 25.2.04
From: Keystone State

Since last post: 5801 days
Last activity: 1765 days
#1 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.84
So I came home from work today to find my computer on but not working. All the stuff inside was going (the fans, the lights, etc..). The fans were all pretty much on high speed whine mode (my video card adjusts fan speed as it struggles, and it was going fast). My monitor said it wasn't getting a signal, and would automatically shut off

I reset the computer, unplugged, and turned it off and on. Alas, it wouldn't boot. No beeps, no startup BIOS, no hard drive whining, nothing. The little power light and hard drive working light on my case won't turn on.

I swapped out the video card with working ones, to no avail. I'm thinking it's a motherboard thing (no startup at all). Any thoughts? Things I should look for? It's out of warranty.
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AWArulz
Scrapple








Since: 28.1.02
From: Louisville, KY

Since last post: 99 days
Last activity: 99 days
#2 Posted on | Instant Rating: 6.51
Pull the plug

Open the side or lid

disconnect all the cables, monitor, keyboard, mouse

Pull any cards - video, modems, etc

Pull the cables from the hard drive and CD rom and floppy from the mother board.

Pull out the ram

plug in the PC

Push the power button - make sure switch on the power supply is on

any LEDs light? Fans on? Nothing?

If nothing, I suggest that the power supply is a problem

if you get something, I suggest plugging the monitor into the onboard video if you have any and see if anything comes on the monitor.

Now, start putting stuff back in ONE AT A TIME in reverse order until your power light doesn't come on anymore. The last thing your put in is your problem.

(edited by AWArulz on 25.1.07 2343)


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Potato korv








Since: 3.1.02
From: Brisbane, Australia

Since last post: 4732 days
Last activity: 4711 days
#3 Posted on | Instant Rating: 5.71
    Originally posted by Roy.
    All the stuff inside was going (the fans, the lights, etc..).


I'm thinking its either RAM or your CPU.
Try taking your RAM out and powering up. You should definitiely get error beeps then.
You could also try resetting the BIOS, usually you can move a jumper on your motherboard. If you can access a manual, it will tell you exactly how.
Guru Zim
SQL Dejection
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Since: 9.12.01
From: Bay City, OR

Since last post: 8 days
Last activity: 15 hours
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#4 Posted on | Instant Rating: 8.81
Do what AWA said - pull absolutely everything that can be pulled so your initial troubleshooting is Motherboard and Powersupply only, pretty much. You need to disconnect your hard drive power, CD Rom power, etc.

It should boot up (you won't be able to see anything because you don't have video) and you will get beep codes from the computer (you will need to keep the speaker connected - don't pull that off - the problem is never the internal speaker)

If you don't get it to power on with just the mobo and powersupply in the case, you have a few things to consider.

1) It could be a bad mobo
2) It could be bad switches
3) It could be a bad PS

The most likely of these is 3. It's also the easiest to test and fix - PS replacement is very straightforward. If you aren't a pro, mark the connectors on your mobo for the power leads - it may not be obvious which went where when you reconnect it.

Make sure you get a PS that has enough juice for your system. Most places will let you return them if this isn't the fix, although some have a 15% restocking fee. Check your return policy.

It's almost never a problem with the switch, and mobo issues are rare. They do happen, but what you are describing sounds like what I've seen when there have been repeated low voltage incidents around here when the power was going on and off a lot.

Do you have a UPS? You might want to think about it for the future if this was a PS issue - a UPS might lessen the shock of any bad power issues you have.




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Roy.
Pepperoni








Since: 25.2.04
From: Keystone State

Since last post: 5801 days
Last activity: 1765 days
#5 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.84
Thanks! I'll try all that on Sunday (as I'm out of town now). As I investigate more and more, I find that my CD Drive won't open (or even power up).
AWArulz
Scrapple








Since: 28.1.02
From: Louisville, KY

Since last post: 99 days
Last activity: 99 days
#6 Posted on | Instant Rating: 6.51
Something I forgot

pull the power cord - then push the power button on the front - if any power was stored up in the capaciters in the power supply, this discharges it.

if you don't do that, it's possible the ram might get hit.





http://myspace.com/awarulz
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We'll be back right after order has been restored here in the Omni Center.
Roy.
Pepperoni








Since: 25.2.04
From: Keystone State

Since last post: 5801 days
Last activity: 1765 days
#7 Posted on | Instant Rating: 4.84
Thanks folks - it was the power supply. Nothing else seems to be wrong with it (thankfully). I popped in a new 650W PS.

It appears as if the builders of my computer put the wrong supply in. I think I ordered a 550W power supply, and the one I just took out (the one malfunctioning) was a 420W. I'm looking through old receipts to make sure.
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